Open mic at Filling Station has been going on a few years, run by a gentleman named Gerry. All genres of talent are welcome, but until the night I went up, they had never had a comedian before. There are some language restrictions; I was advised not to say f**k, which made sense, as this is a family restaurant, and sure enough, there were youngsters present. Signup is very informal: you show up, you go up. Talent gets 15 minutes, and if the room is slow, possibly a second chance to go up. The business has its own parking lot. There is no stage. Two mics are set up to one corner of the room to the immediate left of the entrance. Seating in that area amounts to 28, some high chairs at a couple of tables, the rest at a counter, closer to the bar, if not sitting at the bar. More seating is found behind those high chairs in an eating area where tables can seat families of six, and I would say there are 20 of those seats that can see the stage well. A TV plays just to the right of the stage, and it stays on but muted during the mic. A bit of a distraction for a comedian, but, oh well. I showed up at 6:45pm, having already contacted Gerry and arranged a stage time of 7:30pm. I first thought this room had talent phoning in and requesting their spots in advance. Turns out that’s not the case. It was because I planned to do standup that I was given Gerry’s cell number to arrange this first-time happening. I’m confident that in future shows, all you have to do is show up and you’ll get stage time, just like all the musicians who have these past three and a half years. We had eight people sitting in the immediate area and 13 in the family sitting area when we started at 7:08pm. A second muted TV plays behind the bar, a third TV as seen from the pov of the stage. A pool table can be seen in a separate room adjacent to the stage area. Lighting on the performers was dependent on what nature offered through the windows. My advise: go up while the sun's up. At least until the business invests in a light for the stage. What Filling Station does offer is a full bar. They also serve burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads and other comfort food, but also full meals that include salmon, chicken and strip steak. A guest emcee, John, started the room, welcoming everyone, announcing they had a surprise comedian coming up later in the evening, then opening with a few songs, a second musician joining in. Gerry was in attendance, but, still recovering, was unable to commit to a guitar, though at one point he did manage to get on stage and chime in with a kazoo. I went up after John finished, playing to five people in the bar area and ten in the family area. A few more people arrived and ordered drinks from the bar during my set, watching me while they waited. I committed to the 15 minutes I said I would do. The audience was respectful enough to listen. That at least told me they were on board, rather than go back to talking to whomever they were with. I did get the occasional audible laugh. One gentleman to my left I could hear repeatedly laughing. He thanked me later for my set. After me, John and the second performer played till the room ended at 9pm. There were no other signups that week. Gerry and I talked some more, and I know he would like to see more comedians come to his room. Guys, this is a good room to do. The amount of stage time is terrific, if you’re trying to build up a solid 15 minute set. Also, you are performing to a general audience and not a roomful of other comedians. In spite of the TVs staying on – and what month will not have some sport playing? – there are no distractions. Even the people ordering at the bar kept their voices down. The audience DOES listen. A few people came up to me after the show and congratulated me. Getting stage time will not be difficult, as this room cries out for more standup. If you're visiting from out-of-state, consider staying the night in this serene environment. There's plenty to do during the day.
Open mic at Filling Station has been going on a few years, run by a gentleman named Gerry. All genres of talent are welcome, but until the night I went up, they had never had a comedian before. There are some language restrictions; I was advised not to say f**k, which made sense, as this is a family restaurant, and sure enough, there were youngsters present. Signup is very informal: you show up, you go up. Talent gets 15 minutes, and if the room is slow, possibly a second chance to go up. The business has its own parking lot.
ReplyDeleteThere is no stage. Two mics are set up to one corner of the room to the immediate left of the entrance. Seating in that area amounts to 28, some high chairs at a couple of tables, the rest at a counter, closer to the bar, if not sitting at the bar. More seating is found behind those high chairs in an eating area where tables can seat families of six, and I would say there are 20 of those seats that can see the stage well. A TV plays just to the right of the stage, and it stays on but muted during the mic. A bit of a distraction for a comedian, but, oh well.
I showed up at 6:45pm, having already contacted Gerry and arranged a stage time of 7:30pm. I first thought this room had talent phoning in and requesting their spots in advance. Turns out that’s not the case. It was because I planned to do standup that I was given Gerry’s cell number to arrange this first-time happening. I’m confident that in future shows, all you have to do is show up and you’ll get stage time, just like all the musicians who have these past three and a half years.
We had eight people sitting in the immediate area and 13 in the family sitting area when we started at 7:08pm. A second muted TV plays behind the bar, a third TV as seen from the pov of the stage. A pool table can be seen in a separate room adjacent to the stage area. Lighting on the performers was dependent on what nature offered through the windows. My advise: go up while the sun's up. At least until the business invests in a light for the stage.
What Filling Station does offer is a full bar. They also serve burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads and other comfort food, but also full meals that include salmon, chicken and strip steak.
A guest emcee, John, started the room, welcoming everyone, announcing they had a surprise comedian coming up later in the evening, then opening with a few songs, a second musician joining in. Gerry was in attendance, but, still recovering, was unable to commit to a guitar, though at one point he did manage to get on stage and chime in with a kazoo.
I went up after John finished, playing to five people in the bar area and ten in the family area. A few more people arrived and ordered drinks from the bar during my set, watching me while they waited. I committed to the 15 minutes I said I would do. The audience was respectful enough to listen. That at least told me they were on board, rather than go back to talking to whomever they were with. I did get the occasional audible laugh. One gentleman to my left I could hear repeatedly laughing. He thanked me later for my set.
After me, John and the second performer played till the room ended at 9pm. There were no other signups that week. Gerry and I talked some more, and I know he would like to see more comedians come to his room.
Guys, this is a good room to do. The amount of stage time is terrific, if you’re trying to build up a solid 15 minute set. Also, you are performing to a general audience and not a roomful of other comedians.
In spite of the TVs staying on – and what month will not have some sport playing? – there are no distractions. Even the people ordering at the bar kept their voices down. The audience DOES listen. A few people came up to me after the show and congratulated me. Getting stage time will not be difficult, as this room cries out for more standup. If you're visiting from out-of-state, consider staying the night in this serene environment. There's plenty to do during the day.
Mic has not been active since the pandemic
ReplyDelete