openmikes.org

Rob, I'm pretty sure that Bruce doesn't bring a keyboard. The "stage" area is pretty tight, and this is a very well attended (as you can tell) open mike. So, if you're a pianist, bring your thing.

BTW, the open mikes at the Colonial Inn (1st/3rd Sunday of the month, I think… check it out here on openmikes.org) in Concord may be more to your liking. They have an upright piano in the bar, and Kenny's a really great host.

Fred Bement (12/2009)

Bruce, Is there a piano/keyboard available at this open mic? Thanks.

Rob Alan (12/2009)

This is definitely an Open Mic for all kinds styles if you got 'em.

It is mainly a middle-aged crowd of men and women who enjoy each other's company and often join each other for performaces. There have been some successful rock offerings but an acoustic Open Mic does work best without a lot of peripheral devices - I am the worst perpetrator of that phenomena and have tried to learn my lesson and keep it simple. The comment below is referring to an unfortunate episode of too much time spent tuning up guitars which went on for enough time that finally Bruce did step in and get it done. I was very interested in the performance, especially the simple bass line and how it complimented the second song so well.

But 'suck' and 'technology fuckin' sucks!' probably were not the greatest pronouncements to be made from the stage . . . it's not a mosh-pit.

Original material is always encouraged and well received, especially if it's good, 'natch. Very accepting and supportive group of listeners.

5 stars!

Bob Hannan (11/2009)

This is NOT an open mic for ROCK or ORIGINALS. Bruce, the host, told us we "were in tune with each other but sounded awful" because we don't use a standard tuning on all of our songs (?!?) and forcefully re-tuned our instruments. Yet the act after us could not keep a beat on a tambourine and the crowd ate it up.

Beware: it's all old people doing covers of old people songs and blues. And you can't say "SUCK" which is strange. We were disappointed to say the nicest and very least. :(

The food smelled really good, the staff was fairly nice to us weirdos.

The Trees (10/2009)

Someday, in the distant future, the "Trees" (see below comment) will be sitting in a club and some young people will come in and be disrespectful to them, and then they will understand. And the "distant future" comes REAL QUICK boys.

Mike Freestone (12/2009)

Hi Folks, sorry it's been a while since I've checked in. I can honestly say this has turned into one of the best attended open mics in the metro west area, we had 26 performers last week (9-29-09) it's been red hot of late and shows no sign of letting up. You really need to get there around 6:15-6:45 to get your name on the list. We tried advance signups and it didn't work out so it's first come first serve only. I could only play 3 songs last week instead of my usual 40 min. opener set due to the huge turnout. The first 15 players get 2 songs each and after that it's one song per player and after about 19 signups we can't say for sure you'll get on but we'll do our best. It's suppose to run from 7:30- 10:30 but we have been going to 11 of late. Still mostly singer songwriters and all age groups, styles and instruments are well represented. No full drum kits (cocktail kits and percussion ok) and bass players need to bring an amp so I don't blow my state of the art bose system! I'm happy to accompany anyone that would like it. Trios are the biggest act we can handle in this space. Great food, staff and a warm and friendly vibe and people usually really listen. Never a cover and we encourage players to eat, drink and stick around to support the other performers. E-mail me with any questions and check us out soon!

Bruce Marshall (10/2009)

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