Open mic at Westside Tavern is one of three mics that I know of that is run by the same gentleman named Scott. I’ve done one of his other rooms, and that is where I met him. In each of his rooms, he allows music and standup comedy. I don’t think he would be adverse to poetry. I just think as busy as the rooms are, no poet would want to do such a hectic room. At Westside, you are competing with TVs, a pool table in use, and a roomful of people that may or may not be there for the mic, but they are there to socialize in this watering hole. Westside has its own parking lot. Even street parking is free. The place is a full bar and they have plenty of beer on tap at $6.50 a pint. To eat, they offer burgers, sandwiches and miscellaneous sides and appetizers that included chicken quesadilla, which is what I had. Pretty good, too. Three muted TVs throughout the bar – one located right behind the stage – stayed on as long as the baseball game was playing. Well into the mic, with talent performing, the TV behind the talent showed sports till the game ended. Thankfully, by the time I went up the TV was off, as was one other TV. The third one, furthest from the stage, was left on but muted. The stage is an elevated corner of the room, maybe eight inches. It’s big enough for a solo artist to perform on. I think I was the first comic they ever had, but for seven years, musicians have been gracing Scott’s stage, and this room definitely has a following. One of the more lax open mics you can do, Scott did not arrive till maybe 15 minutes before 9pm. Scott didn’t even start setting up the mic till after 9pm. The signup sheet came out at some time, but because of baseball, the room was not going to start on time. I took the fourth spot. Scott and two other persons made up the rest of the lineup. Two talents after me also signed up later in the evening. A little after 9:30pm, without welcoming everyone to the open mic, Scott just started playing and singing. Even with the game on, sitting in one corner, I could see a few people in the room watching him and not the game. Mostly, though, the talking continued, some tables clearly not interested in either the mic or the game. I saw the pool table being used during Scott’s time on stage, which was about a half hour. The second talent was given no introduction. Scott stepped down after thirty minutes and the second talent went up and started playing and singing. He, too, did about thirty minutes. The same with the third talent. I didn’t go up till about 11pm, playing to maybe 25 people in the room, only four or five of whom were listening to me. I announced at the beginning that I was going to do standup, and some people were genuinely interested in listening to me. But, wow, tough crowd. At one point I asked for a show of hands, who here wants me to keep going? Maybe five people wanted me to continue. I ended up doing about ten minutes and then thanking Scott for the stage time. I did get laughs, and a couple people came up to me afterwards with good things to say. But, by and large, this room is used to having music as background while the majority of patrons enjoy camaraderie with friends. Guys, Mondays are not the most abundant of nights for open mics in the Tacoma/Olympia area. But Scott, who takes time out of his life to run three mics, gives you the opportunity. While the audience may not be as welcoming, for the comics seeking a challenge, this room is for you. I am glad I did it. Scott is a good guy and a supporter of anyone who has something to offer on stage. As late as I performed, the room still had quite a few people, considering this is a work night. You may consider doing this room not to try out new material so much as giving a tried and true performance and seeing if your humor can win over an audience that is not indifferent to comedy, just not used to it.
Open mic at Westside Tavern is one of three mics that I know of that is run by the same gentleman named Scott. I’ve done one of his other rooms, and that is where I met him. In each of his rooms, he allows music and standup comedy. I don’t think he would be adverse to poetry. I just think as busy as the rooms are, no poet would want to do such a hectic room.
ReplyDeleteAt Westside, you are competing with TVs, a pool table in use, and a roomful of people that may or may not be there for the mic, but they are there to socialize in this watering hole.
Westside has its own parking lot. Even street parking is free. The place is a full bar and they have plenty of beer on tap at $6.50 a pint. To eat, they offer burgers, sandwiches and miscellaneous sides and appetizers that included chicken quesadilla, which is what I had. Pretty good, too. Three muted TVs throughout the bar – one located right behind the stage – stayed on as long as the baseball game was playing. Well into the mic, with talent performing, the TV behind the talent showed sports till the game ended. Thankfully, by the time I went up the TV was off, as was one other TV. The third one, furthest from the stage, was left on but muted.
The stage is an elevated corner of the room, maybe eight inches. It’s big enough for a solo artist to perform on. I think I was the first comic they ever had, but for seven years, musicians have been gracing Scott’s stage, and this room definitely has a following.
One of the more lax open mics you can do, Scott did not arrive till maybe 15 minutes before 9pm. Scott didn’t even start setting up the mic till after 9pm. The signup sheet came out at some time, but because of baseball, the room was not going to start on time. I took the fourth spot. Scott and two other persons made up the rest of the lineup. Two talents after me also signed up later in the evening.
A little after 9:30pm, without welcoming everyone to the open mic, Scott just started playing and singing. Even with the game on, sitting in one corner, I could see a few people in the room watching him and not the game. Mostly, though, the talking continued, some tables clearly not interested in either the mic or the game. I saw the pool table being used during Scott’s time on stage, which was about a half hour.
The second talent was given no introduction. Scott stepped down after thirty minutes and the second talent went up and started playing and singing. He, too, did about thirty minutes. The same with the third talent.
I didn’t go up till about 11pm, playing to maybe 25 people in the room, only four or five of whom were listening to me. I announced at the beginning that I was going to do standup, and some people were genuinely interested in listening to me. But, wow, tough crowd. At one point I asked for a show of hands, who here wants me to keep going? Maybe five people wanted me to continue. I ended up doing about ten minutes and then thanking Scott for the stage time. I did get laughs, and a couple people came up to me afterwards with good things to say. But, by and large, this room is used to having music as background while the majority of patrons enjoy camaraderie with friends.
Guys, Mondays are not the most abundant of nights for open mics in the Tacoma/Olympia area. But Scott, who takes time out of his life to run three mics, gives you the opportunity. While the audience may not be as welcoming, for the comics seeking a challenge, this room is for you. I am glad I did it. Scott is a good guy and a supporter of anyone who has something to offer on stage. As late as I performed, the room still had quite a few people, considering this is a work night. You may consider doing this room not to try out new material so much as giving a tried and true performance and seeing if your humor can win over an audience that is not indifferent to comedy, just not used to it.