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Administrators: TonyS (owner) , David M , Milli2 , panthersquall , Paul R

Open MIc Update

From Paul R on 8/31/2019 9:04:49 PM

The last entry described the Quarter Moon Coffee House (actually a small cannery converted to an arts centre) open mic.

Well, the people there put me onto another open mic, this one in the small tourist town of Wellington (also in Prince Edward County).

This one is at a boutique hotel. In a dedicated room (small stage, sound system). You get three songs (instead of the usual two) - but this past week I got to play/sing seven.

Open mics I've been to may have snacks (Quarter Moon and Sunbury, for a monetary donation). But the management here gives every performer a free burger and fries! That's incentive to improve! One player said they're "the second-best burgers in the County"! Considering the high level of cuisine there (lots of high-end restaurants and wineries), that's not a bad compliment.

The minus, for folkies like me, is that most people play loud stuff, "millenial music". So the songs/tunes I play are quite "different" to this bar crowd. However, I've received compliments from folks. The young woman who takes care of the bar (and brings me my burger) said she liked the "historic" (?!) nature of what I do. Another young woman (who later got up and sang) liked the banjo - which encouraged her to get up and play her uke.

I've been twice. The only drawback is the long drive. (However, I fill up on cheap gas as I drive through the reservation.) I'll take it a week at a time - I've been there twice. Weather will play a role in attendance.

Meanwhile, the Quarter Moon has two more dates before it closes for the season. My American friend, Peter, drives to my house and then we pile our instruments and ourselves into my car and head to "The County". He likes to rehearse his original songs 'cause he has me play backup on banjo.

One door closes (Sunbury and the BG jam) and another opens (two venues in The County). Life is, at least, interesting.

2 Comments
	David M says: 9/1/2019 3:14:15 AM Hi Paul, I can relate to playing quieter than most of the other performers, I played bare three finger oldtime with no mic..! People at the back of my longish hall sang along so I must have carried ok. It'll be interesting to hear what the other new place is like for you. Free burger and chips for all performers eh..? Sounds a good incentive to go each week... :-) All the best..... David
	Paul R says: 9/1/2019 12:36:20 PM Thanks again, David. I play mostly guitar there, but, when I played banjo, they clapped in time. The burger was quite good. Glad they sang along with you - that's a good sign!
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