Your space on the desert stage

05/13/08

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Welcome to az open mic! If you are in the Phoenix area you are lucky to be in an area with one of the better open mic (or open mike) scenes in the country. In the metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area there are probably close to a hundred. On this site you will see all the sites listed that I have found from various sources. Should you have corrections or deletions, please leave me feedback. Because venues that hold open mic occasionally change their schedules, ownership or just give up, you should call them to make sure they are still having open mic to avoid an unnecessary drive. I do my best to keep a current list but I rely on help from other open mic musicians to help me keep the list as accurate as possible.

For those of you new to open mic, they all run basically the same. Nearly all venues have a weekly host who runs the open mic and a list on which you sign your name. When it is your turn, the host introduces you, plugs you into the sound system if needed and runs sound for you. Typically you get 3 songs or 15 minutes, except for some of the more popular venues (Joe's Grotto, The Dubliner) where you get 2 songs. Should you perform at the same open mic several times you are quickly viewed as a "regular". You find a very gracious audience at open mic particularly among your fellow performers.

Open mic is a great place to hear original music and to meet other performers and singer/songwriters. You hear music heard nowhere else. To me personally, it has been a major inspiration. Make use of this site and check out the good times to be had at open mic in the Phoenix area.

Thanks for visiting!                                                                                                                                                                                                        Chris

oh...AND...just in case you happen to wonder about the guy that runs this site. Click here: Chris's Pages

 

The list is accurate as of May 11, 2008

We lost a few in the past 3 months: The Mighty Cup, Bookmans, Over Coffee, Peppers, R.T. O'Sullivans, The Tropicana, The Well, Hardtailz Bar and Grill, Johnny's Uptown and The Gym Bar and Grill (dang...that was quick).

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It's here! Take the new Songwriters Challenge!
Text Box: It's here! Take the new Songwriters Challenge!
                                                                                        

Late Again

A Songwriters Challenge

1 song title, 30 days to write the song

What: An event where songwriters will present an original song, all using the same song title and having been given no more than one month to work on it.

Song Title: “Late Again” This title was given to us by William Love, local songwriter and coordinator of the Phoenix Chapter of “SongsAlive!” a world wide songwriter’s organization.                                                                                              When: 2:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday, June 7, 2008                                                                              Where:  Chino Bandidos in Chandler, 1825 W. Chandler Blvd.                                                   (SE corner of Dobson and Chandler Blvd. behind Walgreens)                                                                                              San Marcos Square, Chandler, AZ  85224,     (480) 889-5990                 

How to get involved: Write a song entitled “Late Again” and be prepared to present it live at the event. We ask that the song be presented live as it makes the event much more interesting to the audience. If you are not a performer and need help in finding a person to perform your song, email me and I can offer assistance. A sound system will be provided. To participate, contact Chris Frazer at chris@azopenmic.com.  Put “songwriters challenge” in the subject header.

Prizes: Drawings will be held for studio time, services and merchandise.

Consider yourselves challenged. You have 30 days…get to writing!

Our event sponsors who show support for the local songwriter by donating prizes:

bullet Desert Vista Studios: 5 hours of studio time
bullet Az Songwriters Association: Free Admission to a song pitch. ($20-25 value)
bulletSER Soundworks: gift certificate good for 2 hour rehearsal session in our fully equipped studios. They have donated 2 certificates.
bulletZonaMusic/Alan Kovin: 4 hours of studio time.

 

Open Mic News  

Anna Bean's Coffee and Gelato 6-10 the LAST Friday of every month

3230 E Union Hills Dr, Ste 135
602-569-1623
Phoenix, AZ 85050

Directions to Anna Bean's Coffee

 

The Grand Avenue Tavern;  Monday nights  9pm-close                                                                                         2448 NW Grand Ave Phoenix, AZ 85073                                                                                                                 (602) 252-2770  Hosted by Dirty Goat Productions                                                                                                Free drink for all performers.

                                                                     

 

 

All Starz Sports Bar & Grill Live Acoustic Karaoke / Open Mic
Every Sunday 8:00PM to 11:00PM  hosted by Michael Treatch
4929 W. Chandler Blvd.
Chandler, Arizona 85226
SE Corner Of Chandler Blvd. & Rural
 
http://www.allstarzchandler.com

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Not getting long enough sets at open mic? How about a 1 hour showcase of your music? Paul Raia has been organizing songwriter showcases at The Paisley Violin. At these showcases you are given an hour to perform your original material. Contact Paul at paulestaz@yahoo.com if you are interested in this opportunity.

 

Open Mic Thursday Night in Tempe at The Final Round

The Final Round in Tempe (northwest corner of Baseline and Mill) has open mic every Thursday. With the recent demise of many Thursday night open mics we really could use another one here in the east valley. It is a sports bar but also licensed as a restaurant which makes it an all ages venue. The food is great especially the pizza in my opinion. There is currently a lot of mic time available as it is still getting rolling as an open mic spot so JOIN US! Thanks! Chris

The Final Round

5030 S Mill Ave, Tempe

480-456-3663
Thursday 8-11, host Chris Frazer

 

 

contact chris@azopenmic for questions.

       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     The Dirty Pretty (formerly Bar 74) starts a new and improved Open Mic Night

From host Adam Shero: NO COVER, DRINK SPECIALS!! I have played a lot of open mics over the years and this has to be the best platform I have played, they have given me a great opportunity to get out and let musicians of all kinds play a great venue with a great PA. We wont just set your levels and walk away, we want you to sound as good as you do!! I am even willing to record you if you like just let me know. I hope to see you there.  Adam Shero 480-284-0521

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Cave Creek Coffee Company has brought back Open Mic Night

If you have not been to Cave Creek Coffee Company it is a very cool venue. I has open mic on Thursdays hosted by Mad Coyote Joe starting at 7:30. Aside from being an open mic host for 15 years, Joe is known to many locals from his television show "The Sonoran Grill" as well as a nice batch of cookbooks of a southwest flavor that he has written. (hey...btw, I knew him when I was a music major at Scottsdale Community College back in the mid 70's) Todd and Rose, the new owners are heavily invested in making a top notch music venue. They built a great stage with lights, repainted the room, set up proper seating and put in a fantastic sound system. They have been having a great turn outs so I would highly recommend checking out this open mic.

 

 

Thanks for sending in your profile info people! (I am currently REALLY slow at getting the info on due to changing the format. Sorry bout that.)

I will do my best to keep up with adding the profile info. If you would like your profile on here fill out the form and email a pic of yourself that you would like on there to chris@azopenmic.com.