Open mic at Pete’s Hideaway is for standup only. Signup is first come first choice. There are language restrictions. Talent gets 6 minutes for a $3 admission or 10 minutes for $5. A second, “speed round”is offered after everyone has gone up, so you get additional minutes on top of what you signed up for. Where the mic takes place, there is a full bar and two TVs playing behind it. A ten inch stage holds one mic, a stand and stool. A spotlight overhead makes for a limited area to be seen. The backdrop of the stage is pictures of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities. Complimentary coffee and water is offered, and the bar is open if you want something more. Bob Rufer runs the room, a comedian himself who has been doing standup for 11 years. Bob decided to run his own room to force himself to keep immersed in standup, as well as provide a place for up and coming comics who can’t make the drive to L.A., as well as receiving visiting comics who want a place to perform while in the Palm Springs area. The room started in mid August of 2019. The signup sheet came out at 12:35pm. Talent places money in a jar next to the signup sheet, then writes their name down. Talent does not necessarily go up in the order that they signed up. The bar seats close to 50, just about every seat easily visible to the stage, though if you sit way in the back, you’re not going to enjoy the room as much, so lengthy is the room. While Pete’s is a full bar, their beer is bottled only. If you’re hungry, the place serves salads, soups, burgers and sandwiches, and appetizers like coconut shrimp and hummus. We had six signups by 12:58pm. The mic intentionally started late at 1:08pm as Bob was hoping there would be more signups. We had 12 total in the room as is, including the host and bartender. One of the TVs stayed on but muted. Bob opened with some material then, instead of bringing up the first signup, he asked who would like to go first. After a pause, someone volunteered. Upon the conclusion of one’s set, every talent receives mandatory feedback from anyone who saw the act. At 2:45pm, all the talent had gone up and Bob offered the second round. Three talents went up a second time and did a couple of minutes more material. That was a nice addition to have. If there is an admission fee, get as much stage time as possible. Guys, this room reminded me of the basics of standup comedy. This room is a challenge for beginning comics who must remember to address everyone in the room, no matter where they sit. One gentleman sat to one side, not visible to the comic on stage unless they turned and looked. Other comics meandered outside of the spotlight and were told to stay in the light. Always stay in the light. Bob runs the room like an instructor teaching Comedy 101, narrating the feedback by pointing at people who have their hand up. When the last remark is made, Bob asks who wants to go next, and that is how the room is run till the last talent goes up. I must say, if you are a beginner to standup, this room is ideal to learn the basics. Even a seasoned comedian may forget to do the light tower move to scan the room to take everyone in. I recommend doing this room, even without the small challenges this mic offers. Bob is a pleasant host, makes sure everyone feels included and valuable, and encourages everyone to stay and support talent that is going up after them. By the time the room was over, if I remember correctly, most everyone stayed till the end to support. We even had some “civilians” sitting at the bar or further back in the room, perhaps watching every now and then and being respectful of those performing by not talking too loud when conversing with the bartender, Wendy. In the end, not only is Bob a supportive host, the business is supportive of standup. And it shows. Even if you deviate from the spotlight.
Open mic at Pete’s Hideaway is for standup only. Signup is first come first choice. There are language restrictions. Talent gets 6 minutes for a $3 admission or 10 minutes for $5. A second, “speed round”is offered after everyone has gone up, so you get additional minutes on top of what you signed up for.
ReplyDeleteWhere the mic takes place, there is a full bar and two TVs playing behind it. A ten inch stage holds one mic, a stand and stool. A spotlight overhead makes for a limited area to be seen. The backdrop of the stage is pictures of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities. Complimentary coffee and water is offered, and the bar is open if you want something more.
Bob Rufer runs the room, a comedian himself who has been doing standup for 11 years. Bob decided to run his own room to force himself to keep immersed in standup, as well as provide a place for up and coming comics who can’t make the drive to L.A., as well as receiving visiting comics who want a place to perform while in the Palm Springs area. The room started in mid August of 2019.
The signup sheet came out at 12:35pm. Talent places money in a jar next to the signup sheet, then writes their name down. Talent does not necessarily go up in the order that they signed up. The bar seats close to 50, just about every seat easily visible to the stage, though if you sit way in the back, you’re not going to enjoy the room as much, so lengthy is the room. While Pete’s is a full bar, their beer is bottled only. If you’re hungry, the place serves salads, soups, burgers and sandwiches, and appetizers like coconut shrimp and hummus.
We had six signups by 12:58pm. The mic intentionally started late at 1:08pm as Bob was hoping there would be more signups. We had 12 total in the room as is, including the host and bartender. One of the TVs stayed on but muted. Bob opened with some material then, instead of bringing up the first signup, he asked who would like to go first. After a pause, someone volunteered. Upon the conclusion of one’s set, every talent receives mandatory feedback from anyone who saw the act.
At 2:45pm, all the talent had gone up and Bob offered the second round. Three talents went up a second time and did a couple of minutes more material. That was a nice addition to have. If there is an admission fee, get as much stage time as possible.
Guys, this room reminded me of the basics of standup comedy. This room is a challenge for beginning comics who must remember to address everyone in the room, no matter where they sit. One gentleman sat to one side, not visible to the comic on stage unless they turned and looked. Other comics meandered outside of the spotlight and were told to stay in the light. Always stay in the light. Bob runs the room like an instructor teaching Comedy 101, narrating the feedback by pointing at people who have their hand up. When the last remark is made, Bob asks who wants to go next, and that is how the room is run till the last talent goes up.
I must say, if you are a beginner to standup, this room is ideal to learn the basics. Even a seasoned comedian may forget to do the light tower move to scan the room to take everyone in.
I recommend doing this room, even without the small challenges this mic offers. Bob is a pleasant host, makes sure everyone feels included and valuable, and encourages everyone to stay and support talent that is going up after them. By the time the room was over, if I remember correctly, most everyone stayed till the end to support. We even had some “civilians” sitting at the bar or further back in the room, perhaps watching every now and then and being respectful of those performing by not talking too loud when conversing with the bartender, Wendy.
In the end, not only is Bob a supportive host, the business is supportive of standup. And it shows. Even if you deviate from the spotlight.
This mic isn't happening anymore
ReplyDelete