On the other hand: a $20 performer's entrance fee? $5 to sign up? Those need to be deleted, and new ones will not be accepted. openmikes.org exists for the benefit of the performers, first, last and always. And this crap in no way helps musicians, poets or other artists.

I'm not immediately going through all 2,000+ listings — let me know if you see one that's still here, and I'll take it down.

(Comedy open mikes are excepted from this rule, as this would otherwise eliminate a huge chunk of the listings.)

Just enter your location -- could be just a city, could be a full address -- and get a Google map of the area, with upcoming open mikes highlighted. You can zoom in and out, drag the map around to look at other areas, and pick what upcoming days you want to see. The map will update automatically.

Want to see just open mikes really close to you tomorrow night? Easy. Everything in the next seven days in a wider area? Also easy. Click on any of the markers, or the club names down the right-hand side, to show a bit more detail about each night. Click on the details to take you to the full listing for that open mike.

Feedback is very welcome on this; as is your understanding that this is brand-new, not-yet-thoroughly test code.

Go here to try out the new search. And head over here to let me know what you think.

I've shared so many of these annoyances... or perhaps caused them.

From: admin@openmikes.org

Subject: Questions re: performance of original works in a non-ASCAP-licensed establishment

I run a website (openmikes.org) listing music open-mike nights across the US and Canada. Listings often include the "originals-vs-covers" policies of the establishment -- the understanding being that you can't go performing licensed works without the venue being under ASCAP, etc. licenses. The further assumption being that if I'm performing my original works, it's a non-issue. Even if I'm an ASCAP member (which I am, by the way), I can't really infringe on my own rights. I notice, for instance, on your website (at ascap.com/licensing/about.html) the following:

"Whenever music is performed publicly the songwriter and music publisher, who created and own that music, have the right to grant or deny permission to use their property and to receive compensation for that use."

So no problem. I own my songs, and publish them, under ASCAP in both cases. I grant myself the right to perform them, and grant the club the right to have them performed. Ta-da.

However, a commenter on one of the listings has posted the following:

"As per Sarah Alana of ASCAP it is ILLEGAL to play live music, even if it is an original piece of work and your a member of ASCAP. If the location that you are playing at is not a member of ASCAP. This is a violation of Federal Law and copyright infringement. For further questions or inquires you can contact Sarah Alana of ASCAP at (800) 910-7347 ext.89"

Apart from the "this is a violation of Federal Law..." sentence, which sounds fairly paranoid and wrong, I was hoping to find out from ASCAP what the deal really is, and post a response / rebuttal in your own words.

Does ASCAP really concern itself with performers playing *their own* compositions, whether licensed or not, at non-ASCAP-licensed establishments? If so, *why*? If not, thanks for confirming that the world still makes sense.

I'll publish any response, in full, with no edits, at openmikes.org/blog (where this email is also posted).

Thanks for your time.

Paul Roub

Benevolent Dictator, openmikes.org

I'll keep you posted on any responses.

Update 1: restaurantlicensing@ascap.com, although listed on the site, isn't actually a valid email address.

You can't "undelete", so be careful. Of course, you can always just upload the picture again.

New longer answer -- if it's really yours, and you're logged in, you can edit parts of the listing. See the help page on editing for details.

You can't delete comments, yet -- you'll eventually be able to delete your own, but you'll never be allowed to delete others'. And you can't yet change, say, a weekly open mike to monthly, etc. -- that's still on the drop-me-a-line list.

Feedback is welcome, as ever.

A brief delay before photos appear? Fine. Two weeks later and user photos still aren't viewable? No thanks. I'm a fan of Flickr in general, and if you're keeping all your photos there, it makes sense. But for our purposes here, it's just a lousy match.

So, I've installed my old friend Gallery, tied things in a bit in code, and now you can add your photos to an Open Mike listing immediately, no delays, no approval process, etc. You do need to be registered and logged in to openmikes.org, but that takes a few seconds.

See the Mocha Moo listing for an example of this feature in action. And remember, as with comments, submissions, etc. -- this is open to anyone. You don't have to be the host, the club owner, etc.

There are two parts to this project: First, we have written a number of articles that give an overview of the options available for musicians. Second, we are offering a free telephone advice service where you can talk to an insurance expert about your situation to understand your options.

We see this project as a safety net for those musicians who remain uninsured because of lack of support or clear information. Those musicians who reach out for help will get it. With this small step we hope to bridge the gap between confusion and need.

So that rocks.

He seems to have left out the link to his profile / upcoming open mike list, so I'll point it out myself: openmikes.org/profile/ryan-michael-galloway.

12. ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS NOT THE SAME AS KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. ... I am talking about getting onstage, throwing a fit about the sound or your mic, or whatnot... and then being out of tune or off-key.

And remembering the last time I hosted a night, if you're one of the "hang out outside, run in for my set, then leave" types, damn right I'd remember you next week and slot you dead last.

Maybe everyone should host an open mike for a few weeks, just to gain some perspective on what the horrible, mean ol' host is dealing with.

[At Suzy's in Hermosa Beach...] Regardless of whether he knows the performer, the host sings harmonies from his seat.

Just speaking for myself, but I'd probably want to beat the guy senseless. Just ask first, you know? It's OK if, for a few minutes, attention is not on you.

This is what I get for posting before I've had coffee. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy.

But still, ask.