Do you do this every Friday night?

The open mic is open every Friday night. When we started it, we decided it should be a regular thing, so people know it's there EVERY Friday night. Have you ever traveled 1/2 hour to an hour to go play somewhere, after an hour or more of practicing, just to discover that the place is closed, or they're not having it? I hate when that happens. In addition, we know that people have lives, and cannot be there every Friday. Or every 2nd Friday or whatever. So to make it most conducive to the local artist, we make it a point to have it weekly. On the days that we cannot be there, we get someone to host it. If there is ever an exception, it is very rare, and will be posted on the website.

What if I get there and all the spots are filled up? Can I call ahead?

Our policy is First come, first serve. This is the only fair way to do it. Though I don't want to be legalistic I also don't want to give the impression of taking sides. If you're coming from far away to play, feel free to call the coffeehouse and let them know you're coming in from far away, and I'll do my best to reserve you a spot. Some Fridays are very full and some Fridays there are plenty of spots open. So it's tough to know. If I know you're coming from far away, I'll do my best to get you on. But if you get there late, and the signup is full, I can't bump another performer for you. So if you are coming from far away, do two things; ask to go on late (like 9:00), and plan on getting there early. Allow for plenty of time to make a wrong turn, get stuck in traffic, and still be able to sit down, have a cup of coffee, set up, tune, etc.

Is the expresso machine going go off and make noises during my set

This is a working coffee house with a working kitchen, so, if somebody orders an expresso, or if they have to wash dishes, then yes, there is a chance you will hear the traditional coffee-house noises. That includes people talking to each other. But the room is nice and long, and the aesthetics are such that the music is loud up near the stage, and quiet near the entrance and cashier, so the regular, walk-in patrons can still order food and have a conversation without feeling the music is preventing them from doing such. But the audience has always been traditionally respectful of the performers, so please don't let that affect your performance.

Can I borrow your guitar?

I don't always have my guitar, and just like all protective musicians, I don't want it to get overly abused. But if your guitar is in the shop, or if you didn't have time to run home and get yours before stopping by, I am more than happy to let you use it. Just be nice to it.

Can I play your drums?

I traditionally try to have my bongos and small percussion available for performers to use them freely. (Drums are not as fragile as guitars, and were meant to be banged.) And if it helps you make a better sound, I want to encourage that as much as possible.

Can I bring my own amplifier?

You don't need to bring an amplifier if it is simply for volume. Our PA is loud enough. But if you're like me, and your amplifier effects are vital to your sound, than I understand that. Just keep in mind that if I cannot send it through my system, then I will need to regulate the volume level independently.

Are you going to play with my sound while I am performing?

My philosophy is that I am there to serve whomever is on stage. Therefore, you are more than welcome to adjust and tweak the levels before you play. Some performers are polished and experienced enough that they don't need my help. But others are just starting out and don't have a clue. The rest of us fall somewhere in between. If you tweak with the levels, then I have NO DESIRE to change the settings. I only have a desire to monitor the volume levels for feedback. The bottom line is; I'm there to serve. So just tell me what you want, and I will do my best to comply with your wishes. But if you don't have a preference, I will do my best to make your sound as good as I can based on my own judgment.

What is the "featured artist"?

The idea behind the "featured artist" was to help performers who are trying to bridge the gap between the open mic performance - "anything goes, for anyone for 15 minutes" and the polished booked band "you have a demo and press-kit, you've been practicing for months, and you're ready to play out and get paying gigs". The featured artist is for performers who are somewhere in between. The performer/band, will be pre-booked for a half an hour set, and a love offering will be taken for that performer immediately after their performance. I will also promote that band/performer ahead of time via email, and website links, etc. If you are interested in being a featured artist, you have to talk to me personally. You don't have to have a fully polished press kit and demo yet, but you do have to have 1/2 hour worth of polished material.

Is this a "Christian" event?

Because of our personal affiliations and/or links to other websites, I get this question often. The Acoustic Sushi Friday night open mic is open to the general public and people of all cultures and creeds are invited and encouraged to express themselves here. Whomever comes in to play, gets to play. Our only rule is that it doesn't violate community standards. But you are more than welcome to express yourself, even if we personally do not agree with the message and/or musical stylings of your song. That's what creative freedom and art is all about, and we encourage that.
The open mic will continue to stay open to all creeds/philosophies/genres, etc. unless it violates community standards, so long as I am host of it.

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