Over the steady chatter of the Saturday night crowd, guitar strumming and the low notes of voices emitting from the sound system filled the bar at The Princess Theater last weekend. One by one, performers took their places behind the microphone on the venue’s stage. One by one, they serenaded the crowd. There were cheers and applause while the restaurant’s patrons crowded the bar and tables, buying drinks, gossiping or listening to whatever singer had just taken the stage.
Valentine’s was Open Mic Night at The Princess Theater in downtown Columbus. Anyone hoping to stand in the spotlight for a few minutes could sign up, get on stage and perform — and get $10 off their tab for their trouble.
Open Mic Night is just one of many events The Princess puts on to bring more people into the establishment, according to general manager Jess Stanford, who was serving drinks behind the bar. Stanford said there is some sort of event the second weekend of every month — often it’s Open Mic Night. The events get a lot of publicity on social media, and many of the same people show up to perform. That Saturday saw a pretty good crowd.
The Princess’ events are only one example of the open mic nights in Columbus. Some local musicians make the rounds at different bars and venues, exposing themselves to audiences that vary from place to place.
“We are really really lucky to have a lot of talented people in the area,” said Beverly Norris, program manager for the Columbus Arts Council.
The CAC hosts themed Open Mic Nights at least twice a year, Norris said. Artists perform two songs and also have a chance to talk about themselves and their music. The genres of music range from classic to jazz to Broadway to pop, said Norris.
“You never know what you’re going to get,” she said.
The theme for the upcoming Open Mic Night in May is “A Different Voice.” Performers are encouraged to find songs composed by musicians with disabilities. By incorporating this theme, the CAC hopes to promote the idea that someone can be a musician regardless of appearance or disability. The themes also motivate artists to find music they would not normally perform.
Still, the most important thing about open mic nights is exposing performers to an audience, Norris said. The events are a good way for developing artists to perform without much pressure.
Paul Brady is a musician in Columbus who has performed at open mic nights at both the CAC and The Princess Theater. Though he said he’d performed on and off before moving to Columbus in 2001, it was only after he moved here and got involved in open mics at The Princess Theater that he became serious about music.
Brady said that it can be better than starting out with a paid gig because at an open mic, the musician is under a lot less pressure to perform perfectly. Developing performers can experiment with different music and get used to audiences.
“It just helps you figure out where your groove is,” said Brady.
Brady said his open mic performances have allowed him to become more connected with other musicians and more well-known in the community. He’s also seen performers who start at an open mic having never spent much time on stage and who, after a few performances at the CAC or other venues, go on to become paid musicians with regular gigs.
Open Mic at The Elbow Room
The CAC has had fewer open mic nights over the years as more area businesses have begun hosting their own, providing more opportunities for musicians and other performers to connect with audiences. The Elbow Room in downtown Columbus is a bar providing one such opportunity.
The Elbow Room’s owner, Rob Swindol, reopened the bar about a year and a half ago and now hosts an Open Mic Night every Wednesday. Swindol is a musician himself and got his start playing at open mics in the Boston area.
“I sympathized with the struggles of new musicians, not having enough material to play full shows but having enough material to go out and showcase in front of people,” Swindol said.
The Open Mic Nights at The Elbow Room are laid-back. Musicians mingle with other patrons between performances. Conversations ebb and flow along with the music. When one performer starts singing without accompaniment, Swindol grabs his guitar and joins in. Swindol says two-thirds or three-quarters of the performers on any given Open Mic Night are regulars.
Two such regulars are Steven Honnoll, who Wednesday performed “Love Potion Number 9” and several other songs, and Alex Hinton, who also performs at other places around town, including The Princess.
Honnoll and Hinton both said they like the laid-back nature of The Elbow Room, where anyone can stand up and start performing, as opposed to other venues where performers have to sign up in advance.
“Open Mic Night is, ‘There’s the mic, go up,'” Honnoll said.
Swindol keeps his own guitars and a drum set in the bar for people without their own instruments to use during a performance. He has also ordered recording equipment and hopes to have it set up and begin recording performances by early March.
Though most performers at the various open mic nights around town sing and play guitar, stand-up comedians and performers reciting poems or spoken word are also encouraged.
Whether just showing up and singing at The Elbow Room or The Princess Theater or signing up for a themed Open Mic Night with the CAC, potential Golden Triangle performers have opportunities to showcase their talents, meet other musicians and get experience.
“It’s a great way to integrate yourself into the music community,” Brady said.
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