The best list of open mic spots in the Phoenix, Arizona area is right here!

Your space on the desert stage

08/11/08

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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 July 23, 2008

We lost more open mic venues than we gained in the past few months including some suprising closings of a few such as Inza Coffee House, Blue Agave and Willow House. Enjoy some new open mics at Anzio Landing in Mesa, Deju Vu in AJ, Black Forrest Mill in Phoenix and Mighty Cup (welcome back!) in Glendale.

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A new and different challenge to give us the jump on the holidays!

Christmas with a twist

A Songwriters Challenge

Many songwriters, 1 song concept, 30 days to write the song

What: An event where songwriters will present an original Christmas song where the title of the song starts with the first letter of their first name, and having been given no more than one month to work on it.

When: 2:00pm-6:00ish, Saturday, September 6, 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 Special Guest: Les Scott of Source Q Boutique Les will share valuable information on the music business including how to get your music used in television and movies. Les will offer critiques of songs presented as well. A veteran of 33 years in the music industry, Les Scott has made his living from performing, writing, producing and publishing music.
As a publisher, his company Source Q Boutique represents over 600 quality songs/masters and over 300 writers at any given time. Over the past 9 years, SQB songs have appeared in major television shows, films and other industry uses with over 350 placements. Recent big uses include Saving Grace (TNT), House (NBC), Prison Break (NBC), Friday Night Lights (NBC) and Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thorton movie)

As a producer, Les designed, built and ran “Red Mountain Studios” (Tempe). He is often commissioned to write and produce full on projects for such companies as Zomba, BMG, Network Music, Killer Tracks and One Music. Since 1996 he has produced over 100 different bands and artists in all genres of music.
As a songwriter, Les’s writings appear on various albums (such as Grammy-winning group “B2K”). In addition, his writings appear almost daily throughout the film/TV industry.

How to get involved: Write a Christmas song with the title beginning with the first letter of your first name e.g. if your name is Jim your song may be titled “Just Another Holiday” or “Joy to the World Part II” etc. Be prepared to present your song 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, merchandise and hey…gifts. After all it is a Christmas event!

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

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New Radio Show Promotes Local Music.

Watch AZ Music Cafe on AM960 Every Sunday from 3-4.

The idea is a great one. Have local musicians on local Radio talking about their music and playing their songs. Complaining about our local music scene is rampant and Erich Sielaff, host of the AZ Music Cafe and long time open mic'er is doing something about it. He has local songwriters and people in the music scene like you as guests playing and talking about their music.

For more information on the show and if you are interested in being a guest, go to www.azmusiccafe.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. 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 which is $5.95 on Thursdays. It has picked up in a big way with many performers finding their way there. JOIN US! Thanks! Chris

The Final Round

5030 S Mill Ave, Tempe

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

NOTE: on the third Thursday of the month we go 9-12 due to the monthly songs in progress workshop which you SHOULD come to also if you are a songwriter or interested in writing songs :) I have info about that and a page for songwriters HERE.

contact chris@azopenmic for questions.

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.