August/September 1995 - Pg6

Open Mic - As Important As Ever

By Carolyn Jane

Like many "firsts" in life, stepping up to a microphone and performing in front of a live audience for the first time, is an experience you will never forget. Many times this milestone occurs at an open mic -- where anyone and everyone, doing just about anything, is welcome.

After signing up with the host and waiting your turn, your name is announced over the sound system and your heart begins to pound. Taking the stage, you feel the eyes of the audience upon you, eagerly anticipating what might come forth. At this time, you realize it's really too late to back out --you're going through with it. Hoping you don't look and sound as nervous as you feel, you do your thing. Then...you hear applause. A few songs later...more applause, and you step off the stage, relieved that it's over...only now, you feel a little taller and can hardly wait to do it again. You are hooked.

Although most open mics are conducted in the same format and with the same open-arm anything-goes spirit, no two are ever alike because you never know who's gonna show up. From solid, successbound players, to poets and comedians, to amateur songwriters who have something to say, it's a grabbag of entertainment. But mostly, it's an important aspect of the music business. For serious musicians, the open mic often serves as an entry into the vast network of the music business. It is a place for new performers to break in; a place for established performers to try out new material, jam with other players, develop collaborative relationships with other musicians, share industry news, and gather followers; and a place for the hobbyist musician to bring friends and feel like a pro. Many club owners or managers use the open mic to schedule auditions for paying gigs. And, one more thing --the open mic audience is arguably the kindest and most supportive in any town. Whether you're a player or an audience member; Grammy-bound or just doing it for fun, open mic's variety and opportunity beckons you back, time after time. Here is a listing of regional open mics.Sunday ** Monday ** Tuesday ** Wednesday ** Thursday (Special thanks to Don Bridges for research.)

SUNDAY
• TEX MEX GRILL
  1819 N. Lynn St, Arlington,VA
  703-528-1323
  9:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• WHITLOW'S
  2854 Wilson Bivd, Arlington,VA
  703-276-9693
  9:00 pm - midnight
  

MONDAY
• FOOD FOR THOUGHT
  1738 Connecticut Ave. N W, WDC
  202-707-1095
  8:30pm -11:00pm
  
• PLANET X
  7422 Baltimore Ave College Park,MD
  301-779-8451
  9:00 pm -12:30 am
  
• QUINCY'S
  13891 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly,VA
  703-502-1861
  9:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• SEAPORT INN
  6 King Street, Alexandria,VA
  703-549-2341
  8:30pm -11:30pm
  
• STRANGEWAYS
  2830 Wilson Blvd. Arlington,VA
  703-243-5272
  8:30 pm -12 midnight
  
• SUNDOWN CAFE
  aka FAT CATS WATERING HOLE
  2471 18th St, N W, WDC
  202-483- 7123
  
• TIFFANY TAVERN
  1116 King St Alexandria,VA
  703 836-8844
  8:30pm - 11:30pm
  

TUESDAY
• CACTUS JOE'S COYOTE CAFE
  19725 Germantown Rd. Gemmantown,MD
  301-428-0333
  9:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• FATTY'S
  51 Monroe St, Rockville,MD
  301-762-4830
  8:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• FOLK CLUB OF RESTON-HERNDON
  Tortilla Factory
  648 Elden St, Herndon,VA
  703-471-1156
  7:30pm -10:00pm
  
• JV'S BAR & GRILL
  6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church,VA
  703-241-9504
  8:00pm - 11:00pm
  
• LAUGHING LIZARD LOUNGE
  1322 King St . Alexandria,VA
  703-548-2582
  
• MADAM'S ORGAN
  2003 18th St, N W, WDC
  202-667-5370
  
• MOUNTAIN JACK'S
  Rte 7 & Lee Hwy, Falls Church,VA
  703-532-6500
  9:00 pm -1:00 am
  
• NEWGATE INN
  14112 Lee Hwy, Centreville,VA
  703-631-0052
  
• ROUND TABLE
  4859 Wisconsin Ave. N.W,WDC
  202-362-1252
  9:00pm - 1:30am
  
• TALIANO'S
  7001 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park,MD
  301-270-5515
  9:00 p m 12:00 midnight
  

WEDNESDAY
• IOTA
  2832 Wilson Blvd, Arlington,VA
  703-522-8340
  9:00pm 12:30am
  
• JJ'S AMERICAN CAFE
  5401 Lee Hwy, Arlington,VA
  703-241-9612
  7:30pm -1:30am
  
• LAYHILL CAFE
  14418 Layhill Road, Silver Spring,MD
  301-598-7772
  9:00pm -1:00am
  
• MR. SMITH'S
  8369 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner,VA
  703-893-5500
  9:00pm -1:00am
  
• OLDE TOWNE TAVERN & BREWING COMPANY
  227 E. Diamond Drive Gaithersburg,MD
  301-948-4200
  8:00 pm -1:00 am
  
• RHIANNON'S
  8340-B Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield,VA
  703-644-4222
  9:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• TIFFANY TAVERN
  1116 King St, Alexandria,VA
  703-836-8844
  8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
  

THURSDAY
• CACTUS JOE'S COYOTE CAFE
  19725 Germantown Road, Germantown,MD
  301-428-0333
  9:00 pm -12:00 midnight
  
• JV'S BAR & GRILL
  6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church,VA
  703-241-9504
  9:00 pm -12 midnight
  
• LAUGHING LIZARD LOUNGE
  1322 King St. Alexandria,VA
  703-548 2582
  
• LAYHILL CAFE - ACOUSTIC NIGHT
  14418 Layhill Rd. Silver Spring,MD
  301-598-7772
  9:30pm -1:00am
  
• LIGHTHOUSE TAVERN
  1901 N Ft. Meyer Drive Arlington,VA
  703-351-6100
  8:30 pm -1:00 am
  
• NEWGATE INN
  14112 Lee Hwy, Centreville,VA
  703-631-0052
  
• TIFFANY TAVERN
  1116 King St, Alexandria,VA
  703-836-8844
  8:30pm -11:30pm