![[map and directions to Red Light Cafe]](/images/map_go.png)
Red Light Café
| Upcoming Dates ? | |
|---|---|
![[add to your calendar]](/images/calendar.png){kind=small} Wed, Oct 15 | |
| Wed, Oct 22 | |
| Wed, Oct 29 | |
| Wed, Nov 05 | |
| Wed, Nov 12 | |
Every Wednesday at 7pm
Hosted by John Madden
553-1 Amsterdam Ave.Atlanta, GA 404-874-7828
- Rock in peace, John. We'll miss you.
Dave (3/2008)- The strengths of the Red Light's open mic is its outstanding sound system and a generally supportive and welcoming environment. It is a good place for someone to get experience with a quality sound system in front of a small, supportive audience that is mostly listening. However, I've been there three times and I don't plan to go back until I hear there are some changes. I have serveral reasons, but basically, this open mic isn't fun any more. Some of my reasons have to do with the venue and management. The Red Light's interior is tired and needs an update. It's hot in the summer (very hot on stage) and cold in the winter. Other of my reasons have to do with John Madden, its host. John is a talented performer and a generally friendly guy, but I think he's burnt out on this open mic. Many times, when a performer has finished, they have to hunt John down to get him to come up and call the next player. If he paid better attention, the show would flow better, there would be less down time, more people would get to play, it would be more fun, and might be more entertaining to the non-playing audience (who had to fork over three bucks for the show). John also needs to establish firm rules and enforce them impartially. Last night, even when he had a line of people waiting to sign up, he refused to let his assistant start the sign-in process for about 20 minutes until he checked out the sound system and preached about how he was going to insist that all performers sit through the other acts and not just leave for two hours and show back up when it was their turn to play. As one who tries to practice good open mic etiquitte (be there for the whole show and cheer on all the players) I agree with his intentions, but he lost all credibility with me when he then proceded to put four names of his friends who weren't there yet into prime spots on the list and made those who had been waiting in line settle for the remaining spots. Most of his friends he put on the list didn't show up until 30 minutes or so before their slot. I was there an hour before the event started and had to wait 3 1/2 hours to play. The Red Light supposedly used to host one of Atlanta's best and well-attended open mics. But to return to its glory days, the Red Light needs a freshening and John needs to find ways to make it more fun.
- Anonymous (6/2007)
- Small crowd most of the time, but very supportive and friendly atmosphere with a professional sound system. Mostly folkish with some really good guitarists, but other genres seem welcome.
- Dave (9/2006)
- I'm John from 6/2005 - been to this open mic several times since then. Mostly older crowd playing folk/blugrass type music, although you never know what you're going to get. Get there early to ensure you get a slot, the list is usually full after the first 30 minutes. The crowd is comprised almost entirely of the artists who will be performing that night, so by the end most people are gone.
- John (4/2006)
- A good open mic with some really talented folks playing there. Most music has a very accoustic folk feel to it. Everyone sticks around til the very end and the crowd's real cool.
- John (6/2005)
List the 41 clubs with open mikes in this area.