What Exactly Is A Soul Full Open Stage?

No mics, no amps, no pressure. Just hangout with friends and play some music.



Nick Wager at D’s Soul Full Cafe

One of the best things about buying into D’s Soul Full Cafe for me is the music. Sure, it’s a tiny place that maybe most people would not expect to be a music venue, but that is the thing I like about it. There’s something very real about great acoustic music unaffected by electronics being performed in front of an audience that is actually listening.

Soul Full Open Stage is a take on the traditional open mic, with a few minor differences:

  • No Microphones
    If you want to be heard, you have to rely on your own voice.
  • No Amplifiers
    With the occasional exception of keyboards, we don’t amplify the instruments at all.
  • No Pressure
    OK, this is a little misleading. There is no pressure to when people can or can’t play. It’s left up to the players themselves to figure out who wants to play when. However, the pressure to perform well is greater than usual since you are essentially up there, musically naked with no electronic crutches to rely on.

The place is small enough and the sound quality is good enough where the usual equipment needed to reach the audience is unnecessary. I want this to be a hangout for musicians and music lovers alike. Folks can walk over for coffee, lunch (or late breakfast) and if they want to sing, they can sing. It’s very casual.

It’s a weekly event, happening every Saturday from Noon to 3:00. Some weeks there may be featured acts, but for the most part it will be this open format. To keep up with what’s happening, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

On a personal side-note, all this new exposure to art, music and culture has inspired me to start playing guitar again after a near five-year break. I can’t say when or even if I’ll play my own cafe, but it feels good to play again. Well, except for the pain in my fingers.

See Also:
D’s Soul Full Cafe
Nick Wager


Tags: , , , ,

Leave a comment