Entry is free there are no paid guests...
At the moment we write everyone's name on a flip chart as they arrive and have indicated that they would like to perform.
WHen its time to start I do a song or maybe two,then we start at the top of the list and work our way down until all named have played.
In this first run through we ask for two songs or around ten minutes of story poem jokes etc it can be less if you wish.
try and have tea break around the hour and a half mark. twenty mins or so usually..Then back to the list.
When everyone has had the ten minutes we start again at the top and with a bit of verbal encouragement from me and copious applause ,hope to get everyone who is still there back for another song,poem,story etc.
This is how things go at the moment and is dependent on the numbers we are getting through the doors.
It is not compulsory to go stand out front,but most seem not to mind(except me lol).
We want anyone to feel they can come and have a fair go whatever the level or type of performance.
Generally get a good respectful bunch in who listen attentively and appreciate others work.
There is no P.A but we can have pianos plugged in,the audience is so well behaved even quiet voices are heard.

its an idea I nicked from Steve Jackson who has been running one over in Lincoln Library for some time,
Cheers.