rock chick, I'm wondering where the pub is that you went to. At a club not outside the area you define, also welcoming floor performers, and where the booked performers, and their own established performers are very good, I was told (on first entering) that you only got to be a performer after they got to know you as one during open mike sessions, which were only in August, when I'm away. I couldn't go to a nearby pub night, where open mike was advertised, as it didn't fit in with life, but the house singers there were part of the same group.I would ask for details via pm, so as to avoid the particular pub, but feel the need for anonymity - since some of the club members (who were friendly in that context)know me through my job, and could identify me, and it could be awkward. Besides which, I wouldn't want to be rude about a system which was working well, to the liking of the longstanding members on a very short acquaintance. Even though there was little opportunity for the audience to join in, either.
Nearly signed it....