A rowdy, fun first of hopefully many nights
August 10, 2009: I stepped out into the disgusting night. Nights like this make me wish I still lived a block away from Maxwell’s. Getting there felt like swimming thru thick, hot Jello. This has got to be the closest thing to getting caught in the rain without it actually raining.
Just a few blocks away and I caved in. There was a bus coming and I was on it. I needed even the most brief break from this heat. Finally at the bar, still soaked in sweat, I was thankful to feel the frigid blast of air in the back room. Oh sure, we’d complain about the cold, but quickly stopped knowing what awaited us outside.
There was a fevered buzz in the room. We were all anxious and excited to kick off this, the latest chapter in the story of The Peoples Open Mic. Tonight began the same way the last open mic at The Goldhawk ended; with the uplifting anthem of hope called ‘Rise’ performed by Rob Nicholas.
Rob Nicholas. I had to use my phone. Camera battery was dead.
The tears of a few weeks ago were replaced by the rowdy laughter and heckling and energy that has made The Peoples Open Mic the benchmark all others try to reach. And a new dimension made the mix. It seemed that every performer was blessed with a new outward persona.
Moving from that darker intimacy of a small lounge to the higher profile of a light-filled stage in a larger space tore away usual intimidations. Those I had pegged as shy and quiet surprised me with a new degree of strength.
Another change was the need for an emcee on stage. Our host Dave Entwistle used to take care of that task with a mic from the soundbooth at The Goldhawk. However, in this bigger room, such a thing was not practical. So open-mic regulars Dom (from The Fave) and Patrice handled those duties.
So this new home brings its own charm to our long history. I’m thrilled the debut was such a success and I pray for a long, prosperous run. You can help. A scene like this needs more than the entertainers. It needs people to be entertained in order to flourish. So come by and show support, please.
See Also:
Maxwell’s
