Open mic at Shujack’s is for standup only. As this mic takes place in the small town of Elma, WA, east of Olympia, this is quite the informal room. Formerly run by a gentleman named Ray, this room is now run by a gentleman named Dustin, and it has been happening on Fridays for about a year. (It used to happen on another day of the week.) There are no language restrictions, and there is no signup sheet. It’s that informal. Parking is on the street and it is free. The mic takes place in a separate room from the bar. That is a major plus. The bar scene was quite noisy. But in the room with the mic, there are four TVs all muted. However, the TV closest to the mic is turned off once the show begins. The host brought out a portable platform stage and set it up to one corner with a mic and stand at 7:45pm. A stand to one side of the stage without being on the platform allows you to set your notes on. The room goes from 8pm to 9pm, and they never get more than four comics per week. Talent can do ten, even 15 minutes of stage time. My friend and I arrived first. Eventually we were joined by a third comedian. When that comedian said to the host he had invited friends to come out but that they weren’t here yet, I volunteered to go first, and my friend went second, so his friends had time to get here to see him on stage. The host started the room at 8:08pm, and I counted 11 in the room. One couple sat facing the stage. They were there for the mic. The host and the three comedians there to perform focused on the mic. All other people sat at one table, talking. I knew we had to win them over. The business is a pub, as well as a bar. In addition to enjoying a couple Moscow mules at $11 each, I had a burger and fries. Other comfort food includes fish and chips, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and French dip sandwiches. The host opened with five or so minutes then brought me up. I won over those watching me, but the one table with people talking, I could see one or two turning to me, but that was it. They were good about not being loud, and they sat furthest away from the stage. I did ten or so minutes then got myself off. At 7:30 I counted 17 in the room. My friend did about the same amount of stage time, but, unfortunately, the third comedian’s friends had not shown up yet, so he performed to a room only half of which were watching the show. The host pays attention because he commented on each performer after their set. Guys, this is a fine room to do. Don’t expect a huge turnout in a small town like Elma. That the room only goes an hour tells you that there are not a lot of local comedians to fill a signup sheet. That you can do up to 15 minutes is impressive, and if the audience is not there for the mic, if you’re up for the challenge, try to win a tough room over. Or perform for those who DID come to see some standup. People enjoy live entertainment. Either way, if you’re in the Olympia area, make the drive on a Friday night to come out and do Shujack’s.
Open mic at Shujack’s is for standup only. As this mic takes place in the small town of Elma, WA, east of Olympia, this is quite the informal room. Formerly run by a gentleman named Ray, this room is now run by a gentleman named Dustin, and it has been happening on Fridays for about a year. (It used to happen on another day of the week.) There are no language restrictions, and there is no signup sheet. It’s that informal. Parking is on the street and it is free.
ReplyDeleteThe mic takes place in a separate room from the bar. That is a major plus. The bar scene was quite noisy. But in the room with the mic, there are four TVs all muted. However, the TV closest to the mic is turned off once the show begins. The host brought out a portable platform stage and set it up to one corner with a mic and stand at 7:45pm. A stand to one side of the stage without being on the platform allows you to set your notes on. The room goes from 8pm to 9pm, and they never get more than four comics per week. Talent can do ten, even 15 minutes of stage time.
My friend and I arrived first. Eventually we were joined by a third comedian. When that comedian said to the host he had invited friends to come out but that they weren’t here yet, I volunteered to go first, and my friend went second, so his friends had time to get here to see him on stage. The host started the room at 8:08pm, and I counted 11 in the room. One couple sat facing the stage. They were there for the mic. The host and the three comedians there to perform focused on the mic. All other people sat at one table, talking. I knew we had to win them over.
The business is a pub, as well as a bar. In addition to enjoying a couple Moscow mules at $11 each, I had a burger and fries. Other comfort food includes fish and chips, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and French dip sandwiches.
The host opened with five or so minutes then brought me up. I won over those watching me, but the one table with people talking, I could see one or two turning to me, but that was it. They were good about not being loud, and they sat furthest away from the stage. I did ten or so minutes then got myself off. At 7:30 I counted 17 in the room. My friend did about the same amount of stage time, but, unfortunately, the third comedian’s friends had not shown up yet, so he performed to a room only half of which were watching the show. The host pays attention because he commented on each performer after their set.
Guys, this is a fine room to do. Don’t expect a huge turnout in a small town like Elma. That the room only goes an hour tells you that there are not a lot of local comedians to fill a signup sheet. That you can do up to 15 minutes is impressive, and if the audience is not there for the mic, if you’re up for the challenge, try to win a tough room over. Or perform for those who DID come to see some standup. People enjoy live entertainment. Either way, if you’re in the Olympia area, make the drive on a Friday night to come out and do Shujack’s.