You’re On: A Guide to Washington Open-Mike Nights
By
Jesseka Kadylak
Most Washington-area musicians hope to play on the stages of the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club. But amateur singers and songwriters—as well as those messing around with a new instrument who aren’t good enough to grab a gig at those venues—want to be heard as well. Open-mike nights offer an opportunity to perform for people in search of local connections and new music. Play a song or two, work on stage presence, and gain local support and audience feedback at one of these open-mike hot spots.
Monday
Busboys and Poets
This gathering place for artists and writers makes a cozy spot for poetry and spoken-word open mikes. Busboys suggests bringing an open mind and ear to support the rookies and regulars. The free open mike runs from 8 to 10 PM. Although most come to recite poetry, musicians are also welcome.
Marx Cafe
The crowd might not know what to expect from an open mike because a DJ spins nightly, but all musical genres are welcome. The process is less structured—the open mike starts sometime after 10, depending on the turnout, so if you’re not one for solid plans, bring an instrument and the rest is provided. Also Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday
Busboys and Poets
Of the three Busboys locations, the open-mike night at 14th and V is in highest demand. Expect a crowded house and don’t forget to purchase a wristband, which are sold Tuesdays at 10 AM in the bookstore ($4 a person with a four-ticket limit). Doors open at 8 PM, and the main event kicks off at 9. Most acts are poets, but musicians can also participate.
Front Page
Host Brad Pugh introduces the acoustic bands, solo artists, and vocalists at this weekly open mike. Don’t be discouraged if few people show up—musicians often launch into a jam session. Sign-up begins at 8:30. Contact timi@frontpagearlington.com to register in advance.
Solly’s Tavern
At Solly’s, participants have many options to get involved in an open-mike night on the second and fourth Tuesday's of the month. Drum kits are discouraged, but drummers should try bongos and other hand drums to get in on the action. Solly’s also has a guitar on hand for those who don’t plan to play but get caught up in the moment and need to rock out. Sign-up starts around 7:30 . Palace of Wonders
Andy Rothwell hosts a variety open mike called “Live Humans in DC,” on the first three Tuesdays of the month at the Palace (and the fourth Tuesday at Solly's). No genre or act is favored or discouraged—so musicians, comedians, magicians, poets and burlesque artists are all welcome. Sign up starts at 7:30 every week, with names being drawn in the lottery style. Everyone who shows up is able to perform. Come join in, and check out a featured artist from 9-9:30.
Wednesday
Busboys and Poets
With the success of open mikes at Busboys’ other locations, this outpost will soon join the ranks—there are plans to start September 15. Check back for details.
Iota Club & Café
Emcee Mike Maloney kicks off the evening at 8 with some of his own tunes before hosting other musicians. All acoustic acts are welcome, but drum kits are not allowed. Sign up starts at 7, but the bill is full in under five minutes. Participants play two songs, and featured artists break up the evening with a set from 9:30 to 10.
Thursday
The Braddock Blues Room
Join Kenny and the Cobras for Blue Thursday. Bring a guitar, bass, or drumsticks—back-line equipment is provided to participate in the open-mike blues jam around 7:30.
Zoo Bar Café
Find your inner blues and join Big Boy Little’s open mike every Thursday. Big Boy and other friends jam between songs and sets, so bring a guitar and get in on the fun. Official sign-up begins at 8, but participants can join in all night.
The Old Brogue
The relaxed and supportive atmosphere welcomes new players, veterans, and comedians the first and third Thursdays of every month. Don’t stop home to pick up your six-string—the list fills up fast and the Brogue has a house guitar available. Sign up at 8 to play a 15-to-20-minute set.
Friday
Caribou Coffee
The Songwriters Association of Washington sponsors open mikes at Rockville's Caribou on the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 to 9:30. Participants can play either three songs or for 12 minutes, and all music must be original. To sign up, contact Michelle at michelle.murray6@verizon.net.
Modern Times Coffeehouse
All styles of music are welcome at this lo-fi open mike hosted by Maureen Nelson of Whiz Bang Three. Mikes and Amps aren’t provided, which makes the experience more intimate. Participants can play two songs, but sign up at 7—the list fills up quickly. The first act starts at 7:30.
The Potter’s House
This Christian coffeehouse hosts an open mike for music and spoken word every fourth Friday. Play original, inspirational, or cover songs to fill the tip jar. As part of a regular Friday concert series—Sounds of Hope—the money is donated to a charity. Sign-up starts at 7.
Saturday
The Coffee House of Occoquan
Open mikes can be intimidating, but the friendly and supportive crowds at the Occoquan will put any first-timer at ease. All musical acts are welcome from 6 to 10 PM.
Cameron Perks Coffee House
On the last Saturday of every month, Cameron Perks welcomes anyone who wants to showcase his or her latest tune. Mark Austen, a regular performer at the coffeehouse, hosts the Songwriters Association of Washington-sponsored event at 7:30.
Sunday
Ireland’s Four Courts
Brad Pugh of Practically Einstein hosts the Emerging Artist Showcase from 9 PM to 1 AM. Acoustic acts are welcome, but contact the host regarding drums sets or keyboards. Sets generally last 20 to25 minutes, but to guarantee a spot, participants must sign up in advance by contacting Brad at fourcourtsmusic@gmail.com.
Union Jack’s Bethesda
Host Uncle Chunky will also provide backup music at the open-mike jam from 8 until the place closes. Worried about the house band cramping your style? Playing solo is okay.
Random:
Jammin’ Java Music Club and Cafe
Jammin’ Java squeezes in open mikes whenever a show isn’t scheduled—which doesn’t happen often. But check the cafe’s Web site often because you have to sign up in advance.
Mayorga Coffee Factory
Check its Web site often—Mayorga randomly hosts open-mike events. Related:
Pub Quizzes at Bars in Washington
Happy Hour Finder
Fall Festivals
Where to Rent a Boat on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay
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Category Tags: Nightlife, Guides
Comments
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Posted by: alubyzozy, Nov 29, 2011 03:48:07 AM
Update Jan. 2011:
Blues jams are a great way to connect and network with fellow blues lovers and musicians and a great way to enjoy a variety of blues styles and musicians! You never know who’s going to show up - no 2 nights are alike! Wolf’s been running blues jams for years and knows how to keep the audience and musicians happy!
2nd & 4th Mondays: JVs (Falls Church, VA) Blues Jam hosted by Wolf Crescenze with Matt Kelley and Chip Clemmer and a special guest. 8:30 pm, no cover. Great homecooked food at Northern Virginia’s favorite honkytonk with live music 7 nights a week!
www.jvsrestaurant.com
Wednesdays: Beach Cove (Chesapeake Beach, MD) blues jam hosted by Wolf with "Hot Rods & Old Gas". 8 pm, no cover. Great food/full menu and a wooden dance floor!
www.myspace.com/beachcove1
Thursdays: Zoo Bar (Washington, DC) blues jam hosted by Big Boy Little Band - award winning blues band with Albert King Award winning guitarist! 8:30 pm, no cover. Great food/full menu, outdoor patio, friendly crowd!
www.zoobardc.com
2nd Fridays: Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown, MD) blues jam hosted by Wolf Crescenze with "Hot Rods & Old Gas". 8 pm, no cover. The place to be for live blues in St. Mary’s County!
www.fatboyscountrystore.com
For more info,
www.wolfsmusicweekly.com
www.bigboylittleband.com
www.youtube.com/wolfsmusic1
www.facebook.com/hotrodsandoldgas
www.facebook.com/bigboylittleband
www.facebook.com/wolf.crescenze
www.facebook.com/wolfsmusicweekly
Posted by: Connie Warner, Jan 19, 2011 01:43:09 PM
Update!
2nd Mondays, 8:30 pm, no cover - open blues jam hosted by Wolf with Matt Kelley of the Big Boy Little Band and winner of the Albert King Award at the Int’l Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN on guitar and vocals and Chip Clemmer on drums! Special guest each month. Held at JVs Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, www.jvsrestaurant.com
www.wolfsmusicweekly.com - open blues jams & shows in the DC/MD/VA area!
www.bigboylittleband.com - now playing on XM Radio’s "Bluesville" Channel 74!
Posted by: Connie Warner, Jun 03, 2010 11:20:12 AM
Note, the DC Blues Society’s 1st Sunday open blues jam has a new location ...
1st Sunday of the Month, 4-8 pm, DC Blues Society Blues Jam at Silver Spring American Legion - new location, free
Open Blues Jam hosted by the DC Blues Society! Host band featuring Dr. S.O. Feelgood (Chet Hines) (vocals & drums), Sam’i Nuridden (guitar), Dave Jackson (bass) and Dave Harris (harmonica)!
Silver Spring American Legion
905 Sligo Avenue
Silver Spring, MD
(301) 588-8937
(Parking lot entrance on Fenton St.)
www.dcblues.org
Come out and support the DC Blues Society! New venue- check DC Blues Society website for confirmation/more info.
Posted by: Connie Warner, Aug 04, 2009 11:40:43 AM
New - every Wednesday! Beach Cove Open Blues Jam is back! Newly remodeled & under new management.
Come on out to one of the local open blues jams - great way to hear local talent and connect with fellow blues lovers! And great dance music too! Hope to see you there!
-Connie Warner
*************************
Wolf’s Music
Open Blues Jams!
Every Wednesday: Beach Cove Restaurant, 8416 Bayside Rd., Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732, (443) 550-3342, 8 pm, free! Stage, large wooden dance floor, newly remodeled/reopened, great food, full menu!
Every Thursday: (hosted by Big Boy Little Band w/Wolf on bass), Zoo Bar Cafe, 3000 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 232-4225, 8:30 pm, free! Great food, across from the Zoo, outdoor patio along Connecticut Ave., voted Runner-Up, “Best Blues/Jazz Bar” by City Paper! www.zoobardc.com
1st Friday & 3rd Saturday: Fat Boys Country Store, 41566 Medleys Neck Rd., Leonardtown, MD 20650, 301-475-6820, 8 pm, free! Room for dancing, outdoor deck, pool tables! www.fatboyscountrystore.com
Every Sunday: Bangkok Blues Thai Restaurant, 926 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046, 703-534-0095, 7-11 pm, no cover! Great Thai food, wooden dance floor, pro sound, stage, guitar-shaped bar! www.bangkokblues.com
Open Blues Jam Format: The host band usually plays first, in the middle, at the end, or some combination thereof, and then the jammers from the sign-up sheet get up. Wolf’s been running open blues jams for years and knows how to keep things going and keep the musicians & audience happy. Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who’s going to show up: sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Jimmy Carpenter and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! Like Wolf says, "you never know WHO’S going to show up!" Of course it’s also a great way to connect with other blues-lovers and musicians. Great dance music too! ***Support your local blues jams AND the establishments that host the jams too; come hungry & thirsty to ensure the jams keep going.*** See below for links to articles about blues jams.
Blues Jams: Connect with fellow blues-lovers, great dance music and enjoy local talent such as …
Big Boy Little Band
Bret Littlehales & Matt Kelley
"This guy’s (Bret’s) a real blues player."
- Huey Lewis
www.myspace.com/BigBoyLittleBand
www.mdparty.com/BigBoyLittleBand
Andy Poxon
“An absolute wiz on guitar. The combination of the vocals and guitar is as good as it gets."
Cool t-shirts now available!
www.andypoxon.com
www.myspace.com/andypoxon
Zach Sweeney
"You’ll be amazed at Zach Sweeney pickin’ on guitar for all the world like Danny Gatton.”
Tom Maxwell
“An up and coming guitarist & performer!
www.myspace.com/TomMaxwellBlues
Links/Press:
Articles about Blues Jams:
"Blues Jam is a Sweet Spread" article, Maryland Independent, Feb. 15, 2008.
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/02152008/weektop142540_32081.shtml
"The Blues is My Business, and Business is Good, For music lovers, moments worth seeking are happening at Beach Cove" article, Bay Weekly, Aug. 11, 2005.
http://www.bayweekly.com/year05/issuexiii32/leadxiii32_2.html
"Wolf’s Southern Maryland Blues Jams" article by Christine Basham, Maryland Life, May/June 2009.
http://www.theidleamericans.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/wolfsbluesjamsMarylandLifearticle.pdf
www.dcblues.org
www.mojoworkin.com
www.openmics.org
www.openmic.us
www.mdparty.com/wolfsmusic
Posted by: Connie Warner, Aug 04, 2009 11:38:21 AM
Hi im the lead singer in my band “NAEMLES” we only have 2 members as of right now me and my guitarist we are looking for a drummer if anyone is interested email me at Way2fast3223@yahoo.com
Posted by: cody "siko" mason, Apr 02, 2009 11:18:16 AM
Thanks! I am the bass player for the Big Boy Little Band, host of the Thursday Zoo Bar Blues Jam. It’s a great way to hear local blues talent and you never know who’s going to show up - sometimes touring/traveling musicians. Our band opens at 8:30 pm and plays for an hour and then the jammers perform; we often close out the night, which ends at 12:30 am. Zoo Bar is a friendly neighborhood pub located across from the zoo and has great food/full menu and outdoor patio seating.
The DC Blues Society runs an open blues jam too on 1st Sundays at Surf Club Live (formerly Chick Hall’s Surf Club).
I also run a couple of other area blues jams with my other band, The Idle Americans, on Sundays at Bangkok Blues in Falls Church, VA and at The Country Store in Leonardtown, MD on 1st Fridays & 3rd Saturdays. I ran the Beach Cove Blues Jam in Chesapeake Beach for more than 4 years until the venue recently closed and am looking for a new location.
For more info about blues jams, including a great article, pics, etc., check out the links:
www.theidleamericans.com/id3.html - link for article
www.TheIdleAmericans.com
www.myspace.com/BigBoyLittleBand
www.openmics.org - country-wide listings
www.dcblues.org - DC Blues Society - list of jams, forum & calendar
www.mojoworkin.com - Baltimore Blues Society - forum w/calendar
Steve "Wolf" Crescenze
The Idle Americans
Big Boy Little Band
Posted by: Steve "Wolf" Crescenze, Feb 13, 2009 09:39:48 AM
Thank you for mentioning Busboys and Poets! Our new location at City Vista (5th & K streets NW) will host an Open Mic every Wednesday at 9PM starting October 1. For a limited time - this series will be FREE. Keep an eye on our website for feature updates! busboysandpoets.com
Posted by: Busboys and Poets , Sep 12, 2008 09:37:48 AM
Thanks for posting a pretty exhaustive list of local open mikes. I meet a lot of musicians who have no idea these local gems exist.
I’ll vouch for IOTA, Modern Times, Jammin Java. Solly’s open mike is part of the Live Humans in DC variety open mic. which is also hosted at the palace of wonders most tuesday nights: http://www.myspace.com/livehumansindc
the DC area has a music scene for every taste.
http://www.myspace.com/mynameisrene
Posted by: Rene, Sep 11, 2008 08:59:15 AM
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