openmikes.org

The Garden State Songwriters, Inc., is a small, local performing songwriters organization. We host the open mic to give both songwriters and performing musicians the chance to try out new material and to hone performance chops in public. Our mission is to write, perform, record, promote and encourage original music in the American folk tradition.

We define "American folk" in the broadest sense, everything from Americana to Zydeco (including, but not limited to, Appalachian, Blues, Cajun, Folk, Reggae, Roots, Rock, Tejano, etc.), from Chile to Canada. (In fact, since America is a giant stew pot, it really includes original music from all over the world. We're open to performers in any genre as long as they're able to play live (that is, not to a cd, tape or computer file). In short, anything created by the people for the people is "folk" music.

Because we are a songwriting organization, we prefer "orginal music" to covers, although we don't reject performers who only do covers. The open mic has and will always be first come, first served, with a three (preferably original) song limit, so don't wait until the last minute to sign up.

We've had rappers, sitar players, fiddle, harmonica and keyboard players; we've had groups as large as four or five, but mostly we get solo (or duo) guitar players who accompnay themselves when they sing. And since my system can only handle four inputs, the possible configurations are more limited: solo or duo musicians with one or both singing; three instruments with one singer or four instruments with no singer, unless you bring your own (small) amp. I don't bring a keyboard, so if you're a keyboard player, arrive early so that we can set up in advance and reduce the down time between performers.

Gregory's is a family restaurant, and the owner asks that performers please be sensitive to the audience - nothing too loud, raucous or raunchy while diners are finishing their meals. The dining room has its own separate entrance and is kid friendly, and we'll have a waitress for the room, so feel free to bring the family. There's no cover, and Gregory's offers great food and drink at reasonable prices. So come early and eat dinner, stay late for drinks and appetizers or do a little of both, but either way, we hope to see you there!