The Night Owl: Open mics offer a chance to jam
Mike Thiel
Post-Crescent Media
Welcome to the Night Owl. Each week we'll spotlight hot spots, trends, activities and more at bars and other hangouts from Green Bay to the Fox Cities and beyond.
Hey, Night Owl: Where can I find a good open mic around here? And how good do I need to be?
If you're looking for a place to strum your guitar or sing your favorite Journey song in public, there are bountiful options in the Fox Valley. A number of musicians in Green Bay and the Fox Cities host open mics (also called open jams) on a regular basis.
One of the positives of the open mic concept is that it's a welcoming experience for casual and gigging musicians of all skill levels. However, even with the abundance of these events, it doesn't mean you can just show up unprepared and expect to get onstage and woo the crowd. This isn't karaoke.
Fox Valley musician Andrew Ahlborg, who hosts an open jam at Pop In Again in Little Chute one Thursday each month (sometimes more), notes that there is a certain etiquette for participating in open mics.
"There is nothing worse than people who come to a jam and want to play but don't know how to play any songs in full or don't research what the house band does to try and fit in," Ahlborg said. "Know your league (and) position yourself as a musician to enjoy playing with other great musicians. Message or call the jam officiates and find out what you can play with them. I guarantee it won't be a train wreck and the house band will love you."
In other words, don't show up to an open jam and take the mic only knowing the chorus to "Livin' on a Prayer."
"When I go to another jam, if I want to do a B-side or track that no one will know, I make little charts with chords, key, and basic song structure," Ahlborg said. "Most of the house band musicians are multi-instrumentalists and gig, so they are used to charting. This gives them time to review the song or look at the structure."
Of course, casual musicians don't have to go as far as charting a song for the house band, but it's an added bonus if it's an unfamiliar song. You don't need a voice like Freddie Mercury or chops like Slash to be a stud at open mic night, but a little preparation can go a long way.
Besides Pop In Again in Little Chute, which holds its open mic at 9 tonight and again on March 20, there are a number of other Fox Cities bars that host open mics regularly:
• Deja Vu in downtown Appleton, 8 p.m. every Monday.
• Sluggers in Appleton, 9 p.m. every Thursday.
• Cranky Pat's in Neenah, 10 p.m. every Thursday.
• Apple Pub in downtown Appleton, 9 p.m. every Sunday.
Green Bay musician Pat Schorr, who hosts an open mic at Sympatico in De Pere at 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, said these open jam sessions are important to growing the Fox Valley music community.
"(Open mics) give musicians in different bands the opportunity to jam with each other, which I believe strengthens the camaraderie between local bands and musicians," Schorr said. "It's raw. It's a non-rehearsed experience, which forces you to practice good communication onstage.
"Also, they're great for networking. If your group is looking for a new drummer, singer, bassist, etc., open jams are a great way to find them. … I always try to be as loose and inviting as possible. If I'm playing a tune, I always let the crowd know that it's OK to grab the mic and sing it. Whether they're good or not, it's not every day they get that opportunity."
Besides Sympatico in De Pere, these Green Bay hangouts also host open mics:
• Swobey's, 10 p.m. every Wednesday.
• Frets & Friends, 10 p.m. every Wednesday.
• Keggers, 9 p.m. every Thursday.
• Harmony Café, 6 p.m. every Friday.
No matter your talent level, if you come prepared to an open mic, you'll be welcomed.
Sound off: Have a favoritebar or restaurant that hosts a great open mic? Tweet Mike Thiel @thielwrites or email him at mthiel@postcrescent.com with your suggestions or to pose a new question for the Night Owl.
— Mike Thiel: 920-993-1000, ext. 526, or mthiel@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @thielwrites
Have a question about the bar scene in the Fox Valley — from Green Bay to the Fox Cities and points in between? Tweet Mike Thiel @thielwrites or email him at mthiel@postcrescent.com.