Today is officially the first day of winter which means colder weather and scarves, jackets and thick socks however, thankfully, both The Dan and The Joiners have open fires, fantastic food and strong coffee to give warm to the mind, body and soul.

Of course let’s not forget the alcoholic beverages on offer plus the warm company and the friendly staff.

Open Mic @ The Dan
The Open Mic @ The Joiners has given The Dan a new lease of life. No longer is the running sheet full before 7pm with performers in a mad panic as to when they are to perform. As the MC the extra breathing space has made my job a hell of a lot easier and now I’m far less stressed and more focussed on the task at hand.

We had 2 new faces grace the Open Mic @ The Dan stage. First of all there was a new trio called “Seldom 6″ fronted by Sel. Next was a singer/songwriter by the name of Colin Hardman who gave us a little bit of himself for 3 songs.

Seldom 6

A Great Crowd

Open Mic @ The Joiners
Even though the Pussycat Dolls at the Entertainment Centre caused some intense car-parking challenges, we still had a full running sheet. It was a cold night but it was toasty warm inside.

Out of the 16 performers scheduled for the night there were 2 new faces.

First cab off the rank was Mick Pepler who informed me before he went on stage the his Open Mic debut was actually his first performance anywhere. I was very, very impressed that Mick decided to go first (talk about getting out of your comfort zone) and his performance was fantastic.

I wished my first solo performance went as smoothly as Micks did.

Mick Pepler & Costa

Secondly there was Shane Haycox who appeared with the trio “Flannell Lounge” a couple of weeks ago but his performance was his first solo performance at the Open Mic @ The Joiners. His version of REM’s “The One I Love” was just superb and for me, bought back some excellent memories, thanks Shane

Shane Haycox Solo

Last week saw the return of Erica Graf, the acoustic guitarist extraordinairre who again dazzled the audience with the mastery of her instrument. Awesome stuff!

This Thursday the Entertainment Centre has no performances scheduled so there will be lots of car-parking available. No more driving around for ages, YAY!

Other News
Missing Drink Vouchers – I just want to remind everyone that the drink vouchers handed out to performers after their time on stage are only to be used for the night they’re received, not to be taken home and/or transferred to another Open Mic.

I started off with 30 of the new laminated vouchers but on last count I have 9 left. Where have they all gone? I’m well aware that some of the vouchers are either lost or still at the respective venues however, I know for a fact that some people keep them and use them later.

If you have a voucher in your possession then please either hand it back to me or, at the very least use them up so I can get them back from the venues. Thanks

Wanted: Missing Drink Vouchers

Web Stuff – The new Open Mic Network website is coming along nicely. I haven’t been able to do too much to it as I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather of late however, as I’m feeling better I can start getting some more information online and updqate the MySpace and Facebook pages more regularly.

Other Gigs – The Open Mic community are a very talented lot. Here are some gigs that Open Mic’ers are doing to check out. All entry is FREE unless specified.

FIGJAM
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
Friday, June 5th
9pm – Midnight

Simon Peter Band
Higher Ground
Friday, June 5th
9pm Start

If you have a gig you want to promote through the Open Mic Network then contact me.

Here is a reminder of what’s happening this week

As always, make sure you get to the venue early to avoid disappointment. I’ll be there at both venues from 6:30pm to take down names

See you Wensdee and/or Thursdee,

Corey
Open Mic Network – Facebook
Open Mic Network – MySpace
Open Mic Network – YouTube

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1. Open Mic Network Update – February 1st, 2010 Hi everybody, 2010 is looking like a busy year already...

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This video is Matt performing at the April 1st Open Mic @ The Dan. The following 3 songs are featured in this video:

• 1/2 Mast
• Disobey
• Mice & Men

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This first one is the ever popular Andy Armstrong & Marta Bayly doing what they do best, singing the most wonderful harmonies.

The songs they sing in this video are:

• We Can Work It Out
• Crazy
• Don’t Fall In Love Without Me

Enjoy…

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It’s been spreading around the internet in different forms since then but I thought first of all to put them up on this blog and at the same time make it into a PDF so you can download it and pass it around to your hearts content.

Here are The 10+1 Commandments Of Open Mic Performance for your enjoyment. If, through reading this, you’re reminded about any similar experiences then let me know. We can laugh about it together.

1. Thou shalt be on time
If an open mic starts at say, 8pm then turn up a little earlier to make sure your name is down on the running sheet.

If you’re doing something else beforehand and you need to turn up later that’s fine, just don’t complain if your time to perform is later than you anticipated.

2. Thou shalt make yourself known to the host
If you want to put your name down on the running sheet, don’t expect the host to come to you. Go to the host. Make yourself known and make the hosts job a little easier.

3. Thou shalt be prepared before performance
Knowing where you are on the running sheet is very, very important. Nothing holds up an open mic more than performers who tune up their guitars and prepare their music at the very last minute.

A successful open mic is determined by how short the changeover time between performers is.

Here are some other ways that performer changeover times can be minimized:

• Be ready before you go on
• Be close by when your turn comes around
• Know what songs you’re doing beforehand

4. Thou shalt not get drunk before performing
I know it can be very nerve racking waiting to go on stage and having a drink to get the dutch courage going is fair enough but, try not to drink too much. You really don’t sound good drunk, no matter what you think.

Trust me on this one

5. Thou shalt not overstay ones welcome
Open Mic’s are designed to showcase multiple performers not just you.

If the requirement is a maximum of three songs, do your three songs but balance that with the fact that there’s other performers wanting a go as well.

Keep unnecessary chat to a minimum and don’t do the extended version of “Stairway To Heaven”, “American Pie” and your favourite folk tune with 24 verses in it all in the same sitting.

As a host I go by this simple equation: 3 x songs + chat = 15 minutes.

Any longer than that your overstaying your welcome.

Oh, and BTW. When you finished your songs don’t ask the audience whether they want to hear more. That’s the MC’s job (time permitting).

6. Thou shalt invite others to play but only up to a point.
In my own experience I’ve noticed a tactic that some performers use to overtly maximise their time on stage. Invite another guitarist up and give them extended solos to stretch out the songs.

Don’t do it. I’m onto you

7. Thou shalt adapt ones performance to the open mic.
Some open mics cater for bands however, (in my open mic performing experience) most open mics operate in venues with limited stage space and because of this, are designed for solos or duo performers only.

If you play in a band and you want to perform at an open mic that operates in this way, do your homework and learn your songs either solo or with one extra person.

So what if the only way you’ve done your songs in the past is with a band. Get over it!

8. Thou shalt obey host at all times
I think this point is self explanatory. If a host cuts the maximum amount of songs from 3 to 2 halfway through the night and you havn’t performed as yet, don’t be offended. It’s no reflection on you. They’re just trying to fit everyone in on a very busy night.

Always remember that if the night is quiet an extra song or two may be added to a performers slot without notice, and who gets those? The performers who don’t complain when times are busy.

9. Thou shalt be encouraging and supportive of other performers.
For some people the possibility of playing in front of an audience at an open mic is much scarier than death itself. It maybe their first time ever on a stage.

Therefore, it’s so important that the environment created at an open mic is a supporting, inclusive, performer-friendly, positive and encouraging one.

The host, sound engineer and venue staff can only do so much in this department. The main responsibility rests with the other performers. Ways in which this optimum open mic environment can maintained are:

• Clap when a song is completed. At least make some acknowledgement.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.
• If you really like the performance, say so
• Stay for as long as you can after you’ve finished your performance.

10. Thou shalt be courteous to open mic and venue staff
Be nice to the host and you’ll get some breaks. Be nice to the sound engineer and your sound won’t suck and be nice to the venue staff and you’ll be served quicker

End of story!

11. Thou shalt have FUN!
Leave your troubles at the door and have the time of your life.

Fellow open mic’ers become really good friends in a very short space of time. If something is on your mind either chat to your new found friends or talk to the MC.

Remember, we’re all in this together. Let’s make it easy on everyone and have the best possible open mic experience ALL THE TIME!

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