Phoenix

[jfb]

Where I live, almost all of the open mikes are in coffeeshops. A few of them serve alcohol, but they're still cafes. This has the advantage that non-performers talking to their friends don't feel they have to shout to be heard, but the drawback that nobody applauds you more than you deserve because they're full of drunken love for the world.

In Phoenix, I went to an open mike in a bar--the Dubliner, an Irish(-ish) pub in a lonely strip mall--with these results:

• No iced mocha for me! :-(


• The first time (I'm aware of) that someone at an open mike has tried to pick me up. It took me a while to catch on, but the offer to make me breakfast "to help you on your trip" was a tipoff, and the vehemence of her reaction to my demurral clinched it. It was kind of an icky moment.


• But not as icky as being introduced to two young women--the sort whose body mass is so low they should probably avoid alcohol completely--and watching them slosh into a car and start the long careen home. I kept thinking someone should offer them a ride, or call them a cab, but Greg didn't do it and neither did I.

That said, this is the first time I've been really impressed by a bar open mike--not that I haven't enjoyed others, but the talent level here was consistently high, the sound quality was good, people were professional on stage and friendly off it. Musically it was my favorite night of the trip so far.

Comments

good grief

[(Anonymous)]

You're turning into a mild-mannered Hunter S.
Thompson! You'll be all different when you get
back!

Lynn

Re: good grief

[jfb.livejournal.com]

If it means I get played by Johnny Depp, there's no turning back.