Mic kind of town | Metromix Los Angeles

Mic kind of town

The top places for public catharsis

By Alie Ward, Metromix

June 23, 2007

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Mic kind of town
Maxwell the Mouse drops some deep poetry (Credit: Iris Schneider)
Are reality shows the only fast-track to fame? We say, "No, friend, they are not!"

Exhibit A: open mic nights. These evenings offer a first, tremulous step toward riches and adoration—and for the causal viewer, they provide a cheap glimpse at pre-record-deal songsmiths and possible Laureate poets. Or at least some awkwardly entertaining scenarios.

Gather your courage and your undiscovered genius and sign up. Whether it’s spoken word, cabaret or a newly penned acoustic jam about the bitch who broke your heart, here are your top places for public catharsis.

Les Michaels Open Mic Mondays

323-661-6163

Mondays: Veteran cabaret legend Les Michael giddily hosts this Los Feliz open mic. Musical director Ron Snyder is on hand for live accompaniment, so bring sheet music and belt out showtunes for strangers if so inclined. This one attracts performers with serious cabaret, pop, jazz, standard and musical theater chops, but perform what ever you want -- "They'll drag you offstage if they hate it."

Mr T's Open Mic

323-256-7561

Tuesdays: Sign up at 8:30 for the 9 o'clock show. Hosted by legendary soundman Arlo, one can strut their stuff in a craggly old bowling alley which boasts serious indie cred for its grunge and its off-the-beaten-path Highland Park location.

Tiny's Comedy Open Mic

323-462-9777

Alternating Thursdays: Open Mic comedy nights are for the truly brave, as are dive bars on Hollywood Blvd, and $2 chili cheese fries. For those who can stomach all three, the bi-monthly comedy Happy Hour at 6pm will satisfy such cravings.

Hallenbeck's Open Mic Tuesdays

818-985-5916

Tuesdays: Sometimes, you're in North Hollywood and you want to watch people without record deals sing confessional songs in front of people they don't know. Well, here you go! Every Tuesday night, the open mic is hosted by Bruce Teitell. Sign up at 7:30 for the 8pm show.

Kulak's Woodshed Open Mic

Kulak's Woodshed Open Mic

Mondays: This open mic is not fully open, as only singers and songwriters are invited to perform. So don't bring your Carrot-Top-inspired prop-comedy routine to the Woodshed. Sign up for musicians is at 7pm and, for permit reasons, it's members only. Membership is $5, there's a two guest maximum allowed each performer, and one song is permitted. So many rules! But we hear it's worth it.

Beyond Words: Open Mic

323-460-4188

Wednesdays: Known to be one of L.A.'s the finest open mic nights, performers spout a mix of acoustic ditties, poems, and free verse in an earthy mom-and-pop coffeehouse located in the heart of sleazy old Hollywood. Sign up at 7:20, show runs 7:30 to 11:30. An hour is broadcast on http://www.indieairplay.com/ from 9pm-10pm, so your friends in Minnesota can totally listen!

Open Mic Wednesdays

323-661-7771

Wednesdays: For this music, comedy, and poetry night follow these instructions: Walk through the door, sign up, wait nervously, get called onto the stage, do your thing, try not to feel awkward. Be warned, crossing back through the stage to duck out early will get you a chorus of raised eyebrows and a few remarks like, 'Where are you going?' Sign ups are from 7:30 to 7:45.

Fais Do-Do Open Mic

Fais Do-Do Open Mic

323-954-8080

Third Tuesday night of very month at 7:30pm. At this place, open means open. Fais Do Do is a baroque little gem south of the 10 that serves up weird artistic acts that you thought only happened in underground coffee shops in Portland. It's noteworthy for musical numbers, but really: expect anything.

Tell your mom you're about to get famous, y'alls! Or just pop in and watch the brave bare their souls.

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