McGrath, I think if you read the description again you'll find that neither of your objections are quite on. The nine songwriters that get on the list have 20 minutes each, so after their new theme-inspired song they can spend the other 17 minutes singing Matty Groves if they want. Also, it says If they wish and if it's appropriate, the performers are encouraged to involve the band..., so it doesn't sound like the singers will be pressured to have accompaniment.

This format does, however, leave no place for singers who aren't also songwriters, which is a shame. But it's not like this is the only open mike in town.

Rick, yes - even weirder than weird open mike etiquette is reading something you said two years ago (I mean the general you, not you Rick). I suspect that people who keep diaries do so not to preserve memories but to have something to laugh at in the future.

I still wish Jim Dixon would tell us about the "reserved seating", though.

Marion