openmikes.org

what's the status on the piano that's there, can performers use it?

alex (9/2009)

Went last night for the first time. The Utah has a lot of things going for it: the host was great (organized, personable, and no mean performer himself), there was some great talent, the room has a good vibe, the performers don't all leave as soon as they're done, and there were even people who were actually just there to listen. I also like what they do with recording and posting performances on the web. But I do have to agree somewhat with Karl's comment below that it's a bit of a victim of its own success. While I lost count of the number of performers, I'm pretty sure it was over 40. I don't mind waiting a while to play, especially when there are enough other good people that listening is fun, but I found that about 20 performers in, I was getting tired as a listener. And if I was tired, I'd bet others were too, and a tired audience isn't great to perform for. Still, I'd go back. I think when I do, though, I'll probably go not expecting to perform, and just stick around as long as I'm enjoying the event as a listener, and if I get to play, that's a bonus.

Weston C (10/2008)

All performances are recorded, and the artist can access them (and optionally publish them) at theutah.org/music

JJ Schultz (5/2008)

Nice room, good crowd, well run - with one critique. The night is run by 'random-draw' - sign up by 7:30 PM, all names go into a hat, names are drawn and the order written down.

What this means:

• there's no benefit to showing up early.
• if your number is (say) 30, you will be playing at 11PM.

I once drove 3 hours to play the excellent Utah lounge and found out the way the night works to my horror - there were approximately FIFTY musicians that night, and I was number 45. Totally not worth the trip to play one song.

Because the Utah can be popular, this system of picking the musicians effectively turns it into a locals-only event. It's not worth it for an out-of-towner to invest in the drive if there's a chance you'll be playing super-late.

On slow nights you can play two songs. FYI.

Karl from Instar (12/2007)

The Hotel Utah open mic is the epicenter of San Francisco's singer-songwriter community. Its stage attracts performers at all stages of their careers: from seasoned veterans to first-timers. It attracts music fans who know a good thing when they see it. The musicians who come regularly don't come just to get a little "stage time" - they come because of the community that calls Monday at The Utah home - and the musicians that come in for the first time eventually start to come regularly… So come on down this Monday, have a beer, bring your guitar if that's your thing, and sit back and enjoy.

JJ Schultz (3/2007)

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