Open mic at Mirkwood had been going on for over a year, hosted by a gentleman who has since left. The new open mic has been going on for a month as of this posting and is hosted by a gentleman named Jacob. All genres of talent are welcome, though principally they attract musicians. In fact, I learned from a regular that when my friend and I performed, we are the only comedians to have graced Mirkwood’s stage. Too bad. Seattle-based comedians need to discover this mic. Talent gets four songs, but I was told by the host my friend and I can do as much stage time as we wanted. There are no language restrictions unless children are present. Parking is a block away, but at least it’s free. Signup is first come first choice. The business is a full bar and restaurant, serving such entrees as New York steak, which I ordered. The signup sheet came out at 6:38pm. One name was already on the list, so I signed us up second and third. When the mic started at 7:12pm, the host played three songs, then told me the first talent has not shown up yet and that it was my turn. On their very large stage was a drum set already set up. Two mics, one cordless, are offered for the comedian, and I chose the cordless one on purpose. Everyone attending can see the stage fine, though it is not terribly well-lit, so I recommend not wearing a hat. The room seats about 50 who can see the stage. We had 11 people in the room, including the host and bartender, and even the cook who came out periodically to watch and listen. I went up and performed when Jacob told me it was my turn. He announced to the room that we were going to have some standup, and that seemed to perk up the room. They were not used to that. I did about ten minutes and did remarkably well. Everyone paid attention. I got huge laughs, which surprised me, considering how few persons were present. Often people are self-conscious about laughing out loud when a room is that small. My friend did even better than me. She did about the same amount of stage time, and when the next talent went up to play music, a couple of people came over to us and congratulated and thanked us for coming. They wished more comedians would do this room. Even the bartender when he learned we were there to do standup mentioned he wished he had one night of the week devoted exclusively to standup. The evening ended at 8:54pm. Guys, I don’t understand why comedians living in Washington state have not discovered this gem. Admittedly, Arlington is a bit of a drive for Seattle-based comics, but I know of a couple of rooms in Everett, and Arlington isn’t that much further north. Believe me when I say it’s worth driving the extra distance to do this mic. You get 15 or more minutes, and the room is so pleased to receive standup comedy. For the comedians who have a solid seven or eight minutes set and are looking for rooms to do more stage time to expand their set, find this room. And stay for the live music. We my friend and I, this was dinner and a show. We got our time in, had some good food and enjoyed the local musicians. Now, it’s time for the local musicians to enjoy the wonderful comedians in Washington and bring variety to their open mic.
Open mic at Mirkwood had been going on for over a year, hosted by a gentleman who has since left. The new open mic has been going on for a month as of this posting and is hosted by a gentleman named Jacob. All genres of talent are welcome, though principally they attract musicians. In fact, I learned from a regular that when my friend and I performed, we are the only comedians to have graced Mirkwood’s stage. Too bad. Seattle-based comedians need to discover this mic.
ReplyDeleteTalent gets four songs, but I was told by the host my friend and I can do as much stage time as we wanted. There are no language restrictions unless children are present. Parking is a block away, but at least it’s free. Signup is first come first choice.
The business is a full bar and restaurant, serving such entrees as New York steak, which I ordered.
The signup sheet came out at 6:38pm. One name was already on the list, so I signed us up second and third. When the mic started at 7:12pm, the host played three songs, then told me the first talent has not shown up yet and that it was my turn. On their very large stage was a drum set already set up. Two mics, one cordless, are offered for the comedian, and I chose the cordless one on purpose. Everyone attending can see the stage fine, though it is not terribly well-lit, so I recommend not wearing a hat. The room seats about 50 who can see the stage. We had 11 people in the room, including the host and bartender, and even the cook who came out periodically to watch and listen.
I went up and performed when Jacob told me it was my turn. He announced to the room that we were going to have some standup, and that seemed to perk up the room. They were not used to that. I did about ten minutes and did remarkably well. Everyone paid attention. I got huge laughs, which surprised me, considering how few persons were present. Often people are self-conscious about laughing out loud when a room is that small. My friend did even better than me. She did about the same amount of stage time, and when the next talent went up to play music, a couple of people came over to us and congratulated and thanked us for coming. They wished more comedians would do this room. Even the bartender when he learned we were there to do standup mentioned he wished he had one night of the week devoted exclusively to standup. The evening ended at 8:54pm.
Guys, I don’t understand why comedians living in Washington state have not discovered this gem. Admittedly, Arlington is a bit of a drive for Seattle-based comics, but I know of a couple of rooms in Everett, and Arlington isn’t that much further north. Believe me when I say it’s worth driving the extra distance to do this mic. You get 15 or more minutes, and the room is so pleased to receive standup comedy. For the comedians who have a solid seven or eight minutes set and are looking for rooms to do more stage time to expand their set, find this room. And stay for the live music. We my friend and I, this was dinner and a show. We got our time in, had some good food and enjoyed the local musicians.
Now, it’s time for the local musicians to enjoy the wonderful comedians in Washington and bring variety to their open mic.