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New Open Mic - Seattle
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New Open Mic - Seattle |
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Subject: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Stewart Date: 24 Feb 01 - 03:02 PM Wed Feb 28 is the last night for the Victory Music Open Mic at Valdi's Ballard Bistro in Seattle. During the past year we have brought together an enthusiastic community of acoustic musicians who listen attentively, welcome first-time participants and ask them to come back, and play fine music. In order to continue this magic, we have found a new venue for our open mic as an independent and unaffiliated group. The NEW OPEN MIC will meet at Wit's End Bookstore & Tea Shop in the Fremont area of Seattle. Every Wednesday, sign-up by 6:45 pm, music at 7:00 pm. No-sound-system acoustic hall. Come to listen, come to play, all are welcome. Cheers, S. in Seattle
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Gypsy Date: 25 Feb 01 - 12:24 AM Yay for Victory Music! We were members for quite a while, cuz it is such a good cause. Eventually gave it up, since we are so very far south, it was depressing to hear that which we could not participate in. Victory Sings at Sea, is a fabulous CD |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Mark Cohen Date: 25 Feb 01 - 03:13 AM Boy, do I miss Victory Music! Used to drive down to Tacoma for the open mikes; I'm glad there's finally one in Seattle. I'm REALLY too far south (and west) to participate, but I encourage all you Puget Sounders who haven't done so to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. By the way, is there still singing at the Still Life in Fremont? Is there still a Still Life in Fremont? Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: John P Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:00 AM Yes, Mark, there is still a Still Life in Fremont in Fremont. I work right around the corner at Dusty Strings. I don't think they are doing music anymore, though. We used to play there sometimes, but then they went to all jazz, and now I think they've stopped even having that. But Bitters Co., about two blocks away is having music every Friday night, and the Wit's End has a variety of music events as often as they can. And Dusty Strings has started doing concerts sometimes, as well as all the workshops we've always done. So the acoustic music scene in Fremont is still thriving. Stewart, does the move to the Wit's End mean the open mic at Valdi's is a thing of the past? Is Victory Music involved in the one at the Wit's End? Is it starting this coming Wednesday? John |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Stewart Date: 25 Feb 01 - 12:10 PM Hi Gypsy, Mark and John. Just to clear up some confusion: The final Victory Music Open Mic will be this Wed (2/28) at Valdi's - will probably be a big, but sad event. The new open mic at Wit's End, which begins March 7, will not be a Victory Music-sponsored event, but an independent endeavor. In the meantime Victory Music is looking for a new concert/open mic venue in the N. Seattle area. It should have space for about 90 people, all-ages family-type, and of no cost to Victory Music - quite a tall order. If anyone knows of such a place or has any ideas, please contact me or Victory Music. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Gypsy Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:06 PM Stewart, when i say we are too far south...i mean that (dare i say it?) No.California place. But we play acoustic, so IM not using your electricity! |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: reggie miles Date: 26 Feb 01 - 08:22 AM I was there at Valdi's for the first time last Wednesday at the open stage. The place was packed. When I got up to play I lost my table in the balcony area and got shifted to a corner location. They were apologetic but I couldn't help feling underappreciated. You'd think the place would have a bit more respect for someone who was offering entertainment for free and for all the work that all the folks were doing there trying to do the same. I cut out early so as not to waste their table space any further. In truth I was only there to provide free entertainment. I didn't have any cash to spend. There were about four other events I wanted to check out that evening but I only got to three of them. I sat in with friends most of the evening at the Hank Williams Review, just down the street at the Tractor. Then it was on to The Bit Tavern, a few more blocks south, to jam with a select group of jug band blues buddies. A very magical evening, and week. |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Stewart Date: 26 Feb 01 - 11:59 AM Hi Reggie. I enjoyed your set at Valdi's last week. However, you point out some of the problems with a restaurant folk venue. Last week we had an exceptionally large crowd, probably because the venue will be closing and many wanted to get in a last performance. Other times we have had a full complement of musicians (about 15-17), but few other listeners, so the restaurant was losing money keeping open for us. Unfortunately, this is a classic conflict of interests. I place no blame; I thank Valdi and Patti (the co-owners) for providing us this beautiful space, Victory Music for it's support, and all the volunteers and fine musicians who have come to play. Now it is time to move on. The new open mic will be differrent, but hopefully will continue and build on the close community of folk musicians we have brought together during the past year. Any Mudcatters visiting Seattle are welcome to come, listen and play. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Benjamin Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:24 PM Stewart, How much is this new place going to cost to get in? to play? Sorry I never made Valdi's. Not much time with the quarter coming to end soon. Reggie, is the Bit Tavern on Ballard Ave? I haven't seen that one yet. So far, I've only made Bad Alberts. Give me some time. Benjamin |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Stewart Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:46 PM Benjamin, the new open mic is free, or you can make a voluntary contribution to help cover the rental of the hall. We hope it is a self-sustaining, community endeavor, with minimum organization. Cheers, S. in Seattle
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Benjamin Date: 26 Feb 01 - 10:32 PM Thanks Stewart! I'll try to make this one sometime! |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: reggie miles Date: 27 Feb 01 - 09:11 AM Benjamin, The Bit Tavern is south a block and east a block from Bad Albert's, just off NW Leary Way, on the east side of the street where 17th intersects. A tiny little place. Jack Cook, a blues buddy of mine, is hosting a little sit in jam on Wednesdays there. |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Benjamin Date: 27 Feb 01 - 03:38 PM Thanks Reggie! I'll check it out! Though there are probably enough guitar players. Does Jack Cook have any relation to Rod Cook? Just wondering. I'll see you there sometime. Benjamin |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 28 Feb 01 - 03:12 PM Hope you are all safe and well after the quake...Yours, Aye. Dave |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: SINSULL Date: 28 Feb 01 - 03:47 PM Same here. Keep safe. |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Stewart Date: 08 Mar 01 - 07:57 PM First, the earthquake - hard to find much damage here in North Seattle, a few loose bricks down, but not much more, we were quite fortunate. As to our new open mic (or perhaps I should say open stage) last week at Wit's End Bookstore - it was a great success, the magic continues! We had 11 musicians (10 acts) and a total of 19 people present. It had a different flavor, but it worked great. The back room was an intimate setting, good acoustics - no sound system necessary. It was great to hear voices and instruments in their natural state - a little different from their electronic sound. Come and join us if you can - every Wednesday (sign-up by 6:45 pm, music at 7:00 pm) in the back room at Wit's End Bookstore and Tea Shop, 770 N 34th St, under the Aurora Bridge in Fremont (Seattle). Cheers, S. in Seattle
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: reggie miles Date: 09 Mar 01 - 08:56 AM Help!.................. Don't know if I can reach the mouse to send this..................... Half buried during earthquake under ........................pile of bill ...............................................
receipts while doing taxes. ;o) |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Deckman Date: 09 Mar 01 - 08:20 PM Hi Reggie ... Please be sure and take care that bill for my telephone ... the quake must have mixed it up ... but it's right there ... next to your left elbow. (by the way, don't take any crap ... blame it on the earthquake) ... CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: reggie miles Date: 10 Mar 01 - 03:15 AM Hey Bob, I hope your new project didn't sustain any quake related quacks. When is that next hoot gonna be and where? Saw ya then, :0) |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Deckman Date: 10 Mar 01 - 10:06 AM Reggie, Judy and I are just planning it now. Likely late April ... we'll let you know. Question, is Alligator Soul still open? CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: reggie miles Date: 10 Mar 01 - 12:33 PM Yep, it's still open but they don't have me to kick around anymore. They decided that after over three years of playin' Fridays there, Thursdays as well the last year, that all of a sudden I wasn't right enough for the place. First they canceled my Thursday when I was doing both Thursdays and Fridays claiming there wasn't enough $ to have me there both evenings. Then I found out that they were still having music Thursdays but (I guess) they just didn't want me there that evening. I started hearing complaints about all those that they tried to fill the Thursday evening with because they all played too loudly. On top of that they had told me for over a year that they couldn't afford to hire more than a solo on that evening but then they managed to pay enough to have a duo come in and play. I guess they were too loud too because they never got on steady. After a year of working there with my friend Jack, most of the last year, they complained about his guitar, his voice and the combination of the two of us working together. Our show was very solid after several years of working together there and elsewhere and it still is. Jack and I put on a great show. The owners wanted me to work up a new show without Jack. They switched me from Fridays, a relatively successful evening in terms of audience participation, to Thursdays toward the end. They said if I came up with a new show they would consider putting me back on Fridays. Thursdays had few patrons that showed up so I don't blame them for wanting to not spend the extra $ for live entertainment. I bent every which way to make them happy and did as they requested. Given how little a fee they were willing to spend for my efforts and their fickle nature I should have figured my time was limited there. I guess I was too busy trying to fulfill their every whim. "Don't put your glass there. Turn it down. Don't talk so much." Mostly complaints from the owner's new wife who was a micromanager of sorts. I started working with new folks, some really great talents, on Thursdays. We didn't use a PA as there were so few eating dinner that we almost out numbered them and didn't need the extra volume. The patrons loved what we did but after only a short period I was told that they were unable to support music on Thursdays and that maybe in the fall. Of course they never called back and gave my Fridays slot to the guy who had been working every Saturday there. Shortly afterward, something strange happened, the place next door caught fire and burned right through to the restaurant and they had to close their doors for about three months. Mind you I was not even in the vicinity when it happened. I guess insurance must have paid for the damage because they are reopened. I chalk up the odd timing of the tragedy to that strange force called instant karma. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's casuals in those low bars and dives for me. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, words to live by. |
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Subject: RE: New Open Mic - Seattle From: Deckman Date: 10 Mar 01 - 08:08 PM Hi Reggie ... Yes, you are so right. The owners new wife is a piece of work. We had one run in with her and we haven't been back since. And, that fire was really strange. I mentioned to JW the timing, but he assured me that you are indeed a very gentle soul, something I already new! The owners occasionally post 'letters to the editor' in the Herald ... you're not missing much. By the way, I liked your phrase "casuals in low bars and dives." Sounds like a song title ... why don'y you right it? CHEERS, Bob |
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