About a year ago I helped set up a weekly open mic and monthly acoustic concert venue in NW Seattle (Valdi's Ballard Bistro). It's a comfortable restaurant, good acoustics and atmosphere (no smoking). In a very short time it has attracted a good number of talented regulars as well as new people from time to time. Mostly singer-songwriters, some country/cowboy singers, blues singers, an occasional cabaret singer, and myself singing mostly old traditional songs (a bit of a novelty for the younger people). Lots of guitars, fewer other instruments such as my occasional fiddle. The audience is very attentive, appreciative and suportive of performers. Each performer gets about 8-10 min (two songs) and in the middle of our 2-hour evening we have a feature act (an invited regular) doing a 15-20 min set. It is becoming quite popular so that we have to turn people away as we fill up slots for the evening (have to think of a better way of allocating slots). Also would like to have a wider diversity of both vocal and instrumental music. But all-in-all it is a good experience. Every Wed, sign-up at 6:30, music starts at 7. See Victory Music

Cheers, S. in Seattle

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Link fixed - JoeClone