openmikes.org

Outta the Way Cafe

Upcoming Dates ?
Thu, Sep 04
Thu, Sep 11
Thu, Sep 18
Thu, Sep 25
Thu, Oct 02

Open Mike
Every Thursday at 8pm

Hosted by John Harbison

17503 Redland Rd.
Derwood, MD

301-963-6895

great open mike. the place was packed thursday.

Josh (8/2008)

I was there last night. I've gone to John Harbison's open mikes for years and, in that time have seen players that range from Eva Cassidy to Richie Havens to Pinetop Perkins to the extraordinarily talented guy down the street. Not all "friends of the host"! And if all the talented singers and song writers from the Washington area don't come, tell that to the venerable Jack Bond, Bill Enderlin, Daryll Davis, Warner Williams, to mention a few. This open mike seems to be more about talented musicians than it is about songwriters which, in my estimation, makes it way more fun. It's pretty much always an upbeat party atmosphere. My guess is that the guy complaining about not getting on early enough is a guitar strummer doing laid back folk music.

Greg (11/2007)

I've gone to this OM several times over the past couple months and have been AMAZED how many local acts show up for a few songs. It's like a sampler of the best of DC, but mostly if you like classic rock, blues (like Clapton), and original stuff.

Mary Layne (11/2007)

The OTWC has nore non-musician listeners than most Open Mics in the area so the Host tends to give early slots to bands/acts that he knows won't drive patrons out. Also, Management has a lot of input here since they hire many of their bands from the Open Mic. Still, there's more variety here than most Open Mics.

Andy (10/2007)

Don't kid yourself. this is no open mic at all. If you do not play the type of music the host wants for the room you will not get on the list or you will be last after everyone else has left. Most of the people that play are friends of the host and have been so for many years. Most all of the talented singer/song writers from the area will not attend this mic because of the way it is run. The sound level is also deafening. You can not hear the person across the table…

terry blue (10/2007)

I stopped going to them years ago because i got to wait around for hours while the regulars played on and on and then get ten minutes to play way past my bedtime with my head spinning from all the tobacco smoke. It's probably tobacco free now, but I think I have heard Mustang Sally and all the other 1960s standards enough times for several lifetimes and they sound like nails being dragged over a chalkboard to me now.

John is an excellent musician, performer and sound mixer and the high volume is preferable to not hearing the music over the patrons which is the case at many other open mics.

But, it is a clique and if you are not in it, you are wasting your time. Otherwise, it would be one of the best open mics.

rc (6/2008)

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