Performers Needed!

Hello everyone.   I am very proud to run the Open Mic nights here at the Insights Group.   In the time I have been doing this two questions continue to surface:

1)  What IS an Open Mic night?

2)  What kind of acts/performers are acceptable?

Allow me to clarify.   Open Mic nights are designed to give performers (and yes motivational speakers are performers) a chance to fine tune their craft.   For many it is the opportunity to be on a stage and in front of people.   For the more experienced performer, it is a chance to try out new material, gauge a reaction of what works and what doesn't.   So, given this insight, an Open Mic night is for speakers, thespians, comedians and musicians.    Mostly an Open Mic evolved as a tool for comedians and musicians and I would have to say that is the bulk of the entertainers that we are trying to assist with this program.   But, we have had dramatic readings, informative presentations, comedy routines (other than stand up), sing a alongs and poetry readings.   We present a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for our performers to get started in and a support group (photographer, writer, web designers, graphic artists etc) to help them with that marketing tools to further their career.

Now "pure" Open Mic nights usually specialize in either music or comedy---we haven't gotten that far yet, but that is part of the plan in why we do the second and fourth Saturday of each month, so in the future, one night CAN be comedy and one night music.  

What makes a strictly musical Open Mic work is having a House Band to support any artist coming on stage.   There would be a full house amp system that any performer could just plug into.   What we see now is whole bands coming in and using their own equipment, and this requires coordinating set up and tear down times during the evening.   For the solo artist we have a basic set up that can accomodate them right now.   The same basic set up easily accomodates speakers and comedians.   So if this was a pure musical Open Mic, we wouldn't need to know who was going to show up.   We advertise Open Mic and anyone with an instrument/voice and a dream can show up.  If nobody shows up, the house band performs and no extra preparation is required.   If bands just show up unannounced there can be a logistics problem (set up and tear down) that needs to be coordinated so I try to have performers register with us ahead of time, but we don't want to lose the impromtuness of what an Open Mic night is. 

What I tell performers is if I know they're coming, we can promote the Open Mic night with them as the featured attraction.   One school of music inquired about having one our Saturdays set aside to showcase their students and my answer was an enthusiastic YES.   The bottom line of this endeavor is to assist and develop the performer; give them the tools and experience they need. 

Now that I am reaching the end of my rambling, have I described anyone you know?   A performer of any kind, an instructor, a school, a group, or even yourself?    I am asking for your help in finding these individuals and groups.  From a musical teacher looking for a location to do their recitals to a comedy troupe experimenting in improv, we present an opportunity for them to grow and develop.   There is an abundance of talent out there, especially with young people and all they need is the chance to blossum!  

I hope this got you thinking.   If you have any questions please feel free to contact me on this opportunity.   Take care now and thanks for reading along.  

You can reach me at the Insights Group or through my email of lamocu007@lamocu.com.

Visit my blog anytime for further developments and feel free to leave comments at http://lamocuproductions.blogspot.com/