The Garfield Center’s popular monthly open mic night is this Wednesday, September 26 at 7:30 pm. Host Ford Schumann has already received some requests to play, so don’t delay in signing up. Ford notes that the slots have been over filled the last three times, although he managed to squeeze everyone in.
This month’s session will be held in the Kohl Lobby, as the theatre is being readied for Saturday’s annual Gala featuring the Garfield Center Big Band comprised of the area’s top swing musicians – complete with female vocalist and a 4-piece horn section; and pianist Stef Scaggiari performing in the Kohl Lobby.
Open Mic starts at 7:30 PM and ends around 10, after which there is a jam for about an hour. Email Ford at [email protected] with your “dream time” slot and he’ll try to get you close to it. If he’s off by more than 45 minutes, he’ll let you know, but be sure to get there early to listen and support the other people and to make sure that you’ll be ready if the slot happens 45 minutes earlier than you requested.
They usually allow three songs or 15 minutes of music per slot, which ever happens first. Spoken pieces, such as poems, comedy and short acts such as juggling and magic are welcome but are limited to 5 minutes. Five or so mics are set up and instruments can be plugged into a direct line to the board. In order to keep the transition time to a minimum, if you have a complicated band, either try to make it simple (two drums instead of five), or arrive before 7:30 to set up part of your stuff and plan to take it down a bit at a time while the other people are getting on and off the stage.
The Garfield offers an open seating arrangement with tables and chairs so you can re-arrange to suit your group and fans. There are also refreshments available: snacks, water, sodas, liquor, beer and wine.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
7:30 – 11 pm (ish)
Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre
210 High St
Chestertown, MD 21620
don’t dilly dally, since I already have three signed up for the 12 slots. We have been over filled these last three times, although I have managed to squeeze everyone in. I look forward to hearing from you.
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