Last TJ's open mic night of the year - let's raise a posse

Bob-Dubery

First thing to note: The date is December 1st, it will not be the usual last Thursday of the month.

Otherwise it's the usual venue, usual time, usual everything else.

I think it would be a fine idea to raise a posse of GFSAers to attend and perform at this open mic night. I am fairly sure that myself and the mighty Squonk will be there. I know that one or two other forumites have been making noises about having a go. Well this is the last chance this year.

So you need to bring a guitar that can be plugged into the small sound system used for open mic nights. You don't have to sing - instrumentals are acceptable. You can play covers or your own material or a mix thereof in your 15 minute slot.

You have just under a month to prepare.

I have an ulterior motive (hahahah!). I will be running a couple more shows for TJ's next year (dates not confirmed yet) and I am always looking to do two things
1) Get a GFSAer on the bill
2) "promote" somebody from open mic nights

So let's raise a posse and put our skills on show. Also we can have a beer or two together.

Squonk

I am definately in.

Come on have a go, you never know

I finally succumbed to Bob's invites and took the plunge early last year. I was terrified and up till that point I was a bedroom guitarist, I couldn't actually play a whole song from beginning to end, just bits and pieces.

I managed to work on some original compositions, that I had written for the Weekly Comp (Now the monthly Comp). The only problem is that they were a minute long, amazing what you can do when you put 3 of them together, you get a piece of music. They were very primitive and basic but with much FEAR I just about pulled it off, Have played about 8 times since and it's getting better every time.

I have also learned a lot from all the musicians that frequent TJ's, The Crowd are also hugely supportive.
A great place to develop your craft.

Fingerstyle, Folk, Flatpicking, Jazz, Classical , Acoustic shredding, Country, Pop, Blues! It's all at open Mic night at TJ's

deefstes

Alright schweet. I'm there like a bear.

Squonk, are you going to step up again or are you just going for the beer and company? I'm still undecided as to whether or not I'll perform but the beer and the company is a good enough reason to go.

C'mon fellow GFSA'ers, it'll be nice to "raise a posse" and show up en masse.

Squonk

Good Stuff Dewald

It can be our "end of year function" kind of thing ?

I will be playing, I did have a set ready for last months open mic, but was as sick as 2000 sick dogs, so I have to let it out....

Bob-Dubery

To make the decision easier I will guarantee to be the first GFSAer to play. I will, out of the kindness of my heart, suck majorly, then everybody thereafter will look good.

deefstes

X-rated Bob wrote: To make the decision easier I will guarantee to be the first GFSAer to play.

Oh I don't doubt that.

X-rated Bob wrote: I will, out of the kindness of my heart, suck majorly, then everybody thereafter will look good.

Oh I doubt that!

?

stu

Ive been meaning to get my act together and play there since the beginning of the year.
Is this event open to anyone?

Hopefully next year I can do something...

BTW, was anyone there last night. I went to watch the last act since some dudes I know where playing for Daniel Baron.

VellaJ

I'm sure I can make a plan to be there, but I'm afraid my acoustic repertoire is up to nothing... So I'll be there to support and to see what all the posts from the past have been about ?

Bob-Dubery

It's an open mic night. Emphasis on the word "open".

stu

X-rated Bob wrote: It's an open mic night. Emphasis on the word "open".

My bad, sorry :-[

Bob-Dubery

If there's sufficient interest in playing I'm prepared to approach the guy who will be running the evening and ask him to reserve a number of slots for GFSA members. There is, of course, nothing stopping anybody coming along and just hanging out and having a beer.

Sean

I'll consider it. Have been meaning to come through for one of these for awhile now. I'll let you know and confirm a little closer to the time ?

deefstes

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you do attend this open mic night, even if you don't perform, make sure to introduce yourself to other GFSA'ers. It's always nice to get to meet some fellow GFSA'ers and at the last TJ's music night that Bob hosted it turned out that there were quite a few forumites in attendance and we only found out afterwards.

VellaJ

Dewald "deefstes" Swanepoel wrote: IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you do attend this open mic night, even if you don't perform, make sure to introduce yourself to other GFSA'ers. It's always nice to get to meet some fellow GFSA'ers and at the last TJ's music night that Bob hosted it turned out that there were quite a few forumites in attendance and we only found out afterwards.

I think we need name tags ?

stu

VellaJ wrote:
Dewald "deefstes" Swanepoel wrote: IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you do attend this open mic night, even if you don't perform, make sure to introduce yourself to other GFSA'ers. It's always nice to get to meet some fellow GFSA'ers and at the last TJ's music night that Bob hosted it turned out that there were quite a few forumites in attendance and we only found out afterwards.
I think we need name tags ?

+1

Okay, Ive spoken to a friend of mine and he is keen to play. We are going to go over a few songs first before we confirm anything though. Ill let you know soon.

Bob-Dubery

stu wrote: Okay, Ive spoken to a friend of mine and he is keen to play. We are going to go over a few songs first before we confirm anything though. Ill let you know soon.

The evening is divided up into 15 minute slots. If the event is undersubscribed (very rare these days) then you may get more time, but generally the number of people wanting to play is at least equal to the number of slots available and so TJ's have to put their foot down RE time.

So

1) Be sure that you can be ready to play quickly (that includes being tuned up ahead of time)
2) Don't plan an epic set that will build up to the 8th song.

Bob-Dubery

X-rated Bob wrote: If there's sufficient interest in playing I'm prepared to approach the guy who will be running the evening and ask him to reserve a number of slots for GFSA members. There is, of course, nothing stopping anybody coming along and just hanging out and having a beer.

Well I had a chat, and nothing confirmed - they may reserve some slots for on behalf of GFSA, they may not. Note that if they run strictly to schedule there are only 10 slots for the night, and one of those goes to whoever is hosting the evening, so there will be no way to book a place for every member of GFSA. Sorry. :'( ?

HOWEVER, it's an open mic night with the intention to provide 15 minutes of fame for folks who just walk through the door and say they'd like to play. So the best tactic is to get there early and put your name down. Or team up and play as duos.

Squonk

I will be there, who else is in?

deefstes

Squonk wrote: I will be there, who else is in?

Bob-Dubery

Squonk wrote: I will be there, who else is in?

Me.