What will we do on Tuesday night now?
July 7, 2009: It was a madhouse. Air conditioning was a fleeting concept as the body heat conquered all. This is how I wanted it to end, with me stuck outside, my camera lens peering in thru the window at sweaty packed bodies.
People who came every week were here tonight. People who used to come but whose lives had altered their social calendars were here tonight. People who had never been here but had heard about it and wanted to experience it at least one time were here tonight. Even douchebag frat boys who hadn’t a clue about why this place was so great were here tonight.
It was all at once sad, happy, vibrant and nerve wracking.
The Peoples Open Mic started out as The ArtKore Open Mic here in September 2005. It was a direct descendant of an open mic series in the late 90s/early 00s held at this very location and hosted by a group called Hipnosis.
Back then, this place was called Liquid Lounge and we played in the dark, front bar on a tiny, cramped drum riser against the large windows (many a drummer nearly crashed thru). The back room was an art gallery with bright lights to showcase the art and a glass retail case instead of a bar.
It was back then that the community and atmosphere began to gel. Then — in a twist of historic irony — Liquid Lounge was bought in order for a new place to sprout. Pissed and homeless, the scene moved to the now defunct Rodeo/Ristra Lounge. That place is where the whole thing began to set like concrete. Bonds were formed that remain to this day.
In late 2004, The Rodeo/Ristra sold to become a restaurant. As it would turn out, several failed restaurants in just a few years, but I digress. In September 2005 — after shuffling from joint to joint including The Shannon Lounge and the now defunct Rue de Jardin — the dashing new spot called The Goldhawk that had taken over Liquid Lounge came to our rescue.
None of us thought that we could replace what we had at Liquid Lounge until we go to Rodeo/Ristra Lounge. And no one thought we could replace what we had at Rodeo/Ristra Lounge, especially not in the place that (as we thought at the time) forced us out in the first place. But this place, The Goldhawk, would outshine all other rooms. It would become our home and our family in so many ways.
Like I said, historic irony.
So we’ve been here several times before. Moments like this night. Tears, laughter, music. The world turns. Sunrise, sunset and all that jazz. And though this fight is getting harder to win each time, we have won it before and we will again. So it seems appropriate that karma would bring the perfect closing song for the night.
I eventually got into the back room and fought my way forward thru the crowd. No one could have timed this better. Rob Nicholas was up as the clock struck curfew, several other acts had to be cut for time.
Along with our host Dave Entwistle on cajon, David Ribyat on mandolin and Jon D’Angelo on guitar, Rob treated us to his anthem of hope called ‘Rise’. This song has always made me smile with just a slight lump in the throat, but tonight the symbolism was more than we could have hoped for.
Yes, we will rise again. Say what you will about the indie, original music scene in Hoboken, one thing is certain; it is a phoenix, always.
Check out my photos from The Last Open Mic at The Goldhawk
