The gentleman who runs the mic, Bernie -- and has been for a couple of years -- hosts the room the first Wednesday of every month. Interestingly enough, he has only allowed standup the month prior to the night I performed in all this time. Mostly, this room has been about music. This was the first of two rooms I was doing that night, so I was not able to stay long to support. I was told by the host he was expecting a magician to come later in the night. Wish I had seen that. The mic is first come first choice. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets ten minutes with the possibility of going up a second time. The room goes till 9pm. Parking is shared with other businesses, but there is plenty. The layout of the room is a bit tricky. There are two major rooms to this business: one where all the tables and chairs are to eat, as well as the bar, and the second room that houses three pools tables and a dart board. There are 13 seats in the pool room, with the backs of six of those chairs used as a sort of wall to separate the mic from people wanting to play pool. Two mics are set up in an alcove that partially overlooks the eating and bar area. Of the 39 seats in that room about 16 can see the stage. A third mic is set up by a sound board where Bernie announces the talent. Performers can easily see him at the board. The business is a Chinese restaurant, of course, and the bar is a full one. Happy hour pints of beer are $5. There are two TVs in the game room and four TVs in the eating and bar area. One TV is behind the area of performance. Bernie showed up about 5:18pm. I was the only talent waiting to do the room. On a good night Bernie will get ten signups. Pool playing is allowed during the mic. The TV behind the stage area is turned off, thank goodness. I told Bernie I had another room to do, and he was fine if I went up first. He even started the room a couple minutes shy of 6pm for my sake. There were seven people in the pool area and ten in the eating area and bar at 5:45pm, not counting the host and bartender, Karen. Bernie welcomed everyone then introduced me as a comedian visiting, and I went up and did maybe ten minutes. I was never given the light. I just got myself off. At times the people playing pool were good about not making a shot when I was delivering a punchline. A couple guys playing I could hear laugh, so I know they were listening at times. The people sitting at the bar and dining area visible to the stage watched, as did Bernie at the sound system. One guy away from my view moved to a table where he could see me. I had the room. Bernie and others came up to me and said how much they enjoyed my set. I am inspired to share the experience with you in hopes you are motivated to do this room if you’re in the Bremerton area. There are plenty of other mics on neighboring days, so you can vacation on this side of Puget and have plenty to do at night. Guys, this is a very good room. I am glad Bernie is allowing standup and other talents. This is not a room for poetry, however. There is too much activity to expect the business to stay quiet for a poet. However, musicians and now comedians, magicians, juggling, any visual but stationary talent can go up, though, again, some of the dining area will not be able to see the staging area. Ten minutes, with possibly more times to go up, is a lot to ask for, and you get it. The audience was quick to realize I was doing standup and were good to pay attention. Give this room a try. Bernie sees how positive comedy can affect this room, and he wants to infuse some new talent in an otherwise room of music.
The gentleman who runs the mic, Bernie -- and has been for a couple of years -- hosts the room the first Wednesday of every month. Interestingly enough, he has only allowed standup the month prior to the night I performed in all this time. Mostly, this room has been about music. This was the first of two rooms I was doing that night, so I was not able to stay long to support. I was told by the host he was expecting a magician to come later in the night. Wish I had seen that.
ReplyDeleteThe mic is first come first choice. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets ten minutes with the possibility of going up a second time. The room goes till 9pm. Parking is shared with other businesses, but there is plenty.
The layout of the room is a bit tricky. There are two major rooms to this business: one where all the tables and chairs are to eat, as well as the bar, and the second room that houses three pools tables and a dart board. There are 13 seats in the pool room, with the backs of six of those chairs used as a sort of wall to separate the mic from people wanting to play pool. Two mics are set up in an alcove that partially overlooks the eating and bar area. Of the 39 seats in that room about 16 can see the stage. A third mic is set up by a sound board where Bernie announces the talent. Performers can easily see him at the board.
The business is a Chinese restaurant, of course, and the bar is a full one. Happy hour pints of beer are $5. There are two TVs in the game room and four TVs in the eating and bar area. One TV is behind the area of performance.
Bernie showed up about 5:18pm. I was the only talent waiting to do the room. On a good night Bernie will get ten signups. Pool playing is allowed during the mic. The TV behind the stage area is turned off, thank goodness. I told Bernie I had another room to do, and he was fine if I went up first. He even started the room a couple minutes shy of 6pm for my sake. There were seven people in the pool area and ten in the eating area and bar at 5:45pm, not counting the host and bartender, Karen.
Bernie welcomed everyone then introduced me as a comedian visiting, and I went up and did maybe ten minutes. I was never given the light. I just got myself off. At times the people playing pool were good about not making a shot when I was delivering a punchline. A couple guys playing I could hear laugh, so I know they were listening at times. The people sitting at the bar and dining area visible to the stage watched, as did Bernie at the sound system. One guy away from my view moved to a table where he could see me. I had the room.
Bernie and others came up to me and said how much they enjoyed my set. I am inspired to share the experience with you in hopes you are motivated to do this room if you’re in the Bremerton area. There are plenty of other mics on neighboring days, so you can vacation on this side of Puget and have plenty to do at night.
Guys, this is a very good room. I am glad Bernie is allowing standup and other talents. This is not a room for poetry, however. There is too much activity to expect the business to stay quiet for a poet. However, musicians and now comedians, magicians, juggling, any visual but stationary talent can go up, though, again, some of the dining area will not be able to see the staging area. Ten minutes, with possibly more times to go up, is a lot to ask for, and you get it. The audience was quick to realize I was doing standup and were good to pay attention. Give this room a try. Bernie sees how positive comedy can affect this room, and he wants to infuse some new talent in an otherwise room of music.