Hi Mudcatters.
I was just curious. What is the etiquette about Blackboard or Open Mic session and people arriving / leaving / playing at the clubs / events you attend?

I cut my folky teeth in the UK and the clubs I went to, normally people stayed for the whole evening and listened to everyone.

I am now living in New Zealand and, for the most part, that is still true. However there are some people who are only really there to perform, and often arrive late (sometimes arranging for someone else to put their name down) or leave early. Not many, but there are one or two serial offenders and, as it happens, the organisers are too shy / polite to say anything, or don't think anything needs to be said.

Do you have any rules (expressed or unspoken) and how are they enforced?

Thanks