Now a fun question: Can you suggest any near east side or upper downtown cafes that would be a good for an open mic? (Madison: restaurant, club)

[Nala8]

A monthly open mic for poets, writers, singers, musicians, etc. Not a poetry reading. Not a poetry slam. Although straight poetry and slam poetry would be welcome. The venue I have in mind would have a warm atmosphere and be conducive to a kind of lounge environment: cool, laid-back, yet fun and inspiring.

Oh yeah, the space would have to be cozy and warm yet big enough to accommodate a d.j. and dancing.

Suggestions?

Much thanks. Now that my little (ha) job search crisis is over, it is time to get my creativity mojo back in order, for the good of the community. Especially that segment of our community who claims that there is not enough entertainment in Madison for adults.

[Nala8]

Anyone else ever wonder why we can't edit our forum titles?

[Megan1967]

Mother Fools would probably do something like that.

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

Mother Fools would probably do something like that.

Hey Megan, thank you. Just googled them to have a look at what kinds of acts they host. Mother Fool's seems very cool. I must stop by there soon and check it out.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Nala8

Anyone else ever wonder why we can't edit our forum titles?

You can as long as the 90-minute "edit" window is still open. But you have to click "Go Advanced" after you click the edit button to get to the screen with the title field.

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by Drover

You can as long as the 90-minute "edit" window is still open. But you have to click "Go Advanced" after you click the edit button to get to the screen with the title field.

Thank you. Cool. Very helpful.

[Megan1967]

Oh, you know... I must not have read your post carefully at first. Mother fools isn't that big. A DJ and dancing might not be practical there.

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

Oh, you know... I must not have read your post carefully at first. Mother fools isn't that big. A DJ and dancing might not be practical there.

Ah, ok... If any other possible venues come to mind, let me know. Thank you.

[sondra_finchley]

Sounds like two different activities- to me dj/dancing implies something other than calm and laid-back that an open-mic or poetry slam event is.

Mother Fools does already have an open-mic night-ive driven past there several times and seen ppl in the front window playing away. You could also try Cafe Zoma on the east side (Atwood), Michelangelos (downtown), and also on the near east side- the coffee place that just moved - I cant think of the name right now. They moved to some weird location where you have to walk back down off the street.

Also- whats that new place Plan B also on Willy? I thought it was a restaurant but maybe its a night club instead- no idea. They may be good for dancing and dj

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by sondra_finchley

Sounds like two different activities- to me dj/dancing implies something other than calm and laid-back that an open-mic or poetry slam event is.

Mother Fools does already have an open-mic night-ive driven past there several times and seen ppl in the front window playing away. You could also try Cafe Zoma on the east side (Atwood), Michelangelos (downtown), and also on the near east side- the coffee place that just moved - I cant think of the name right now. They moved to some weird location where you have to walk back down off the street.

Also- whats that new place Plan B also on Willy? I thought it was a restaurant but maybe its a night club instead- no idea. They may be good for dancing and dj

I bet it does sound like that Sondra, but this is how we've done it in other cities: NYC, Champagne-Urbana, etc. Poetry readings and open mics, depending on who is hosting the event and on the poets/performers, are not necessarily quiet--at least not the ones I tend to partake in or host. Yet, there is a tendency to get mentally saturated. So, a music/dance break is in order, either at the intermission or as a way of celebrating and mingling at the end of the night.

What I am creating will not compete with the open mics already being hosted in Madison. What I have in mind fills the gap between the quiet, contemplative poetry recital and the passionate poetry slam. It's not a poetry reading but rather an open mic gathering for artists of all kinds, all genres: poetry, prose, song, music, improvised combinations of poetry/spoken word and music, drama, etc. All will be welcome. Likewise, the dj will spin all kinds of music, ranging from lounge, to jazz, to disco, to reggae, to neosoul, etc.--depending on the audience/participants.

I tried Michelangelo's. I like this place, but they weren't interested. The manager told me that the spatial arrangement wouldn't work.

Now, I have heard of the Cafe Zoma. Hmmm... I will check that out, as well as the others you mentioned/described. Thanks!

The Cafe Costa Rica has just the right style, atmosphere, and welcoming staff. If they were bigger I would definitely host it there.