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Category: Music
Caffè Lena has a long history of providing a stage for new performers who go on to become some of the nation's best-loved artists. We're also famed for providing a stage to lots of talented folks who never become famous, but who keep the arts alive and growing for all to enjoy. Open Mic is an important part of this tradition. We currently offer four open mic programs:
Thursday Open Mic
This open mic is for all styles of music and spoken word performance, including poetry, comedy, and storytelling. Most of what you'll hear is original songs on acoustic instruments, but we warmly welcome whatever you have to offer. Performer registration is from 7 to 7:25 PM. Performances start at 7:30.
No advance registration by phone is permitted. If you can't come in time for registration the host may be able to add you to the end of the roster. No special preference is given to kids, pros, or to those traveling long distances.
Participants play two songs or speak for 10 minutes. Under all but the most extreme circumstances we do not limit the number of performers.
The host draws names at 7:30. The first person drawn gets first choice of timeslot, second gets second choice, etc. There is no featured performer at Weekly Open Mic.
Excessive profanity and vulgarity are strongly discouraged. It is up to the discretion of the host to determine if a performance is inappropriate for Caffè Lena. Please bear in mind that Caffè Lena is not a bar and often has children in the audience.
Our hosts are:
Ray Pashoukos - First Thursday
Willie Moak - Second Thursday (overall manager & soundman for open mic)
James Frederick- Third Thursday
Kate Blain - Fourth Thursday
Gary Moon - Fifth Thursday
Visit Flckr to see some of Ray Pashoukos' open mic photos.
Visit YouTube to see James's Fredericks excellent film series about Open Mic.
Poetry Open Mic
Takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. Sign up starts at 7. Readings start at 7:30. Each poet reads two short poems (less than one page) or one longer poem.
There is a featured reader each month who reads for approximately 20 minutes. Featured readers are booked by host Carol Graser. See our performance schedule for listings of past featured readers.
All styles of poetry are welcome, although as with all Caffè Lena events we request that performers refrain from excessive profanity or vulgarity. Enforcement is up to the discretion of the host.
Storytelling Open Mic
This is an open mic just for storytellers. Sign up is at 6:45 and stories are told from 7 to 9 PM. Please, no reading or notes. The hosting team is Christie Keeghan, Margaret French and Jeannine Laverty. Storytelling Open Mic takes place every other month on the second Wednesday. Please check www.caffelena.org for the current schedule.
Emerging Artist Break-Out Series
Our Wednesday "Emerging Artist Break Out" series is for young, local musicians who are just starting out. It gives under-age bands a stage in a smoke-and-alcohol-free club setting, and is a safe place for teens to hang out and support the creativity of their peers. We charge $3 at the door and split it 50/50 with the band. You don't need professional photos or posters or recordings to get one of these gigs, but you must be from the area and be less than 25 years old. Electric instruments, drum kits, and contemporary musical styles are acceptable on Wednesdays, but we prefer original music, unless you're performing songs from the folk, jazz, or blues traditions.
6:50 AM
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