Hi everybody,

I know that it’s been a little while between updates but things have been so busy around here I haven’t had any time to do any writing let alone the Open Mic Updates.

Anyways, I’ll make this one a short but sweet one for you all.

The Open Mic @ The Dan has again been going from strength to strength with the general attendance slowly but steadily rising.

Recently I’ve been going in at 6pm to start taking down names and I’ve been finding that by 6:45pm, most of the spots are taken so I can’t stress enough that the early bird gets the worm on this one.

I am constantly amazed and humbled by the popularity of the Open Mic @ The Dan. Thank you all for keeping it going like you have.

Look at that crowd

Last week Darren and I had a look at a handful of venues to find the one that we can expand the Open Mic concept to and compliment the one already at The Dan.

To me, it seems pretty obvious that one more Open Mic is needed to address the rising numbers of participants as well as give you all a choice as to where you want to go.

I’m still open to suggestions so don’t be shy, let me know what venue(s) you’d like us to consider expanding to. The only criteria I ask for are the following:

1. It’s already an established music venue
2. Central location (Adelaide, North Adelaide)
3. Tuesday or Thursday nights are free
4. Great atmosphere conducive to creativity and good times

Here are some images from the last couple of weeks:

Pete the harmonica player

Tyrone slapping his box

Ahh, Willow

Hayley

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday May 16th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

A lot of people have been asking me whether there is going to be an Open Mic @ The Dan on this Wednesday night which also happens to be ANZAC Day.

My answer to this question is a resounding YES!

I thought that it would be fitting to have an Australia and New Zealand music night for this weeks Open Mic @ The Dan with every act doing at least one song that originates from Australia or New Zealand in their repertoire.

Don’t worry, it’s not compulsory to do so. If you’re unable to or, the act in front of you has already played your song then don’t worry about it but I thought it would be a nice touch for the night.

Now, for last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan…

Things have become so busy over the last month or so that I’m having to come in earlier and earlier just to keep on top of things.

Now I certainly don’t mind doing this however, I need to reiterate to everybody that I work the Open Mic running sheet on a first-come-first-serve basis only and I don’t take pre-booking either over the phone or by email/facebook messages.

I know I have put people on the list without seeing them from time to time due to extraordinary circumstances but from now on because it’s so busy I’m unable to even do that.

You need to be physically at the venue to get your name down on the list.

That being said, the juggernaut that is the Open Mic @ The Dan just keeps on (steam) rolling ahead with amazing crowds being treated to amazing performances by some amazing artists.

Can you see a trend happening here…

Here are some images from last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan:

The Crowd

Marcus Walsh avoiding the camera

Kenny Wilson

Alex and Loosh

Courtney Robb

In other Open Mic Network News…

The search for another Open Mic venue to compliment The Dan (not to replace it) for either a Tuesday or a Thursday night is still continuing in earnest.

Both Darren and I have narrowed down the field a bit and we will be endeavouring to visit these potential venues this week but please, keep your suggestions coming in.

I’ll let you know what happens when more news comes to hand.

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
ANZAC Day – Australia & New Zealand Music Night
Wednesday April 25th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6pm to 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

While I sit here and listen to (occasional) Open Mic’er Lucien “Looshbaby” Byfieldt’s hot-off-the-press new CD “No Regrets” I cast my mind back in time and reflect on yet another insanely busy Open Mic @ The Dan that was had by all last week.

We again started the night off at 7:30pm due to the overwhelming demand created from the steady stream of performers wanting to get onto the running sheet.

We ended up with 20 performers gracing the Open Mic stage and out of those performers we had one new face and a number of welcome returns.

These include:

Dave Cronin – starting the night right

Garth Dutton – pipped at the post for “first cab off the rank”

Fergus O’Regan – the new guy with absolutely brilliant songs

LooshBaby – fresh from his successful CD launch

Aaron Read – armed with an Acoustic Guitar

Sean Wiegand – and his band of merry musicians

As it is so very busy at The Dan, I’m still looking for another Open Mic venue to open up on either a Tuesday or Thursday night to replace The Brunswick.

I want to thank everyone for the suggestions so far, there have been some good leads for Darren and myself to chase up but we are still taking your feedback on board.

Remember, the three criteria I’m looking for in an Open Mic venue are:

• Must have a good atmosphere and a good space for setting up the Open Mic
• Must have good car parking
• Central location is preferred (but not essential)

Keep ‘em coming in…

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday April 18th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6pm to 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

There was no update last week because of Easter and the two short working weeks created by the four day break so I will do my very best to condense two weeks into one for you all.

I must say that the last fortnight has been the busiest that the Open Mic @ The Dan has experienced on record.

I’ve been noticing of late that the performers are getting to The Dan earlier and earlier to secure their spot, so much so that I’m now arriving at The Dan from between 6 and 6:15pm and the list is full by between 6:45 and 7pm.

Talk about HECTIC!

We have had between 18 and 20 performers grace the Open Mic stage in the last fortnight and amongst them we’ve had some new faces and performers that have come back from a long absence.

They are:

Carol Rosewell

Hannah

Talysha

Reece

Elke

Casey & Her Uke

Oh BTW, before I sign for this weeks Open Mic Network update, I wanted to get your opinion on something…

As the Open Mic @ The Brunswick is no more, Darren and I are looking for another venue for either a Tuesday or Thursday night (or both, if there’s enough interest for that matter) so if you have any suggestions on a venue to host another Open Mic please let me know.

There are a 3 things that need to be considered when suggesting an Open Mic venue. Two are “must haves” and one is preferable but not essential.

1. Must have a good atmosphere and a good space for setting up the Open Mic
2. Must have good car parking
3. Central location is preferred (but not essential)

Don’t be shy, get those suggestions rolling in

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday April 11th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6pm to 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

It’s with great sadness that I inform you all that I found out yesterday after a phone meeting with management that the Open Mic @ The Brunswick is no longer continuing.

Both Darren and I are still on great terms with the management of The Brunswick but the recent noise complaints issue that they’ve had to deal with has really put restrictions on the type of entertainment that the venue can provide.

I’d be lying to you all if I said that I wasn’t disappointed by the decision but the show must go on and Darren and I are looking for another venue to expand the Open Mic Network with.

On a more positive note, I’m really amazed at how busy the Open Mic @ The Dan has been of late.

Even during the Adelaide Fringe the amount of people through the door and the amount of performers wanting to either play or, just hang out and experience the wonderful social atmosphere at The Dan has risen dramatically.

There’s room for another Open Mic (or two) but the 64 million dollar question is… Where?

Stay tuned and watch this space.

Meanwhile… At last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan, it was business as usual.

Yet another full running sheet of outstanding talent and a full venue of music hungry punters to match. No new faces last week but plenty of familiar ones which tells me that this Open Mic community is thriving beyond belief.

Here are some images of what happened at last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan.

Bryan Foley – In acoustic mode

Courtney Robb – In action

AP D’Antonio – Banjo in hand

Darren Zaza – SoundGuru and guitarist extraordinaire

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday March 28th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Open Mic @ The Brunswick… R.I.P

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

Even though the Adelaide Fringe Festival was still going that didn’t deter the crowds from checking out last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan. It was again packed to the brim full of amazing talent.

I wonder what’s going to happen this week now that The Fringe is over for another year? Personally, I reckon it’s going to be HUGE.

We started off the night with Chris Foster taking up the title of “bravest man in the room.” He showcased three of his songs which was enjoyed by the already swelling crowd at The Dan.

We didn’t have any new faces on last week but we had some acts that either come back for a second run or returned to the Open Mic stage after a long absence.

They were:

Sus2 – Sweet jazz runs in the family

Shaun Coghlin – Yet another fingerpicking masterclass

Dave Rogers – The powerhouse from “Down South”

Poetic Scarlett – Great songs, powerful voice

Kiyo – This time with music

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday March 21st, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Please Note:
There is NO Open Mic @ The Brunswick during March
(watch this space for any more details as they come to light)

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody, I hope you all enjoyed the public holiday.

Last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan showed no signs of the predicted Fringe Festival downturn in attendance with yet another early start, a full running sheet of performers and a venue full of punters eagerly awaiting the amazing performances that is the hallmark of the Open Mic Network…

…and they weren’t disappointed.

We kicked off the evening 15 minutes earlier than normal (due to the amazing performer turnout) with the welcome return of Brett Stokes to The Dan. This was followed by another welcome return, this time by everyones favourite Magic Penguin, Andrew Stott.

Brett Stokes

Fresh from Melbourne where he completed his second round audition on Australia’s Got Talent, Andrew Stott was true to form, blistering through three songs displaying as much energy as a supernova while breaking a string on his guitar in the process.

Andrew Stott

That is Rock ‘n’ Roll for ya. Congratulations Andrew on your AGT success

We also had two new faces grace the Open Mic stage. First of all we had Kiyo who dazzled everyone with two songs sung acapella as well as in Japanese. It was an amazing performance to witness.

Kiyo

Secondly we had slidin’ blues man Sonny Lewis giving us an insight into his life through his songs. Swampy harmonica and slide guitar fused together so beautifully.

Sonny Lewis

Here are some more images from last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan.

Courtney Robb

Big Bloody Crowd

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday March 14th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Please Note:
There is NO Open Mic @ The Brunswick during March
(watch this space for any more details as they come to light)

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

Last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan can be described in one word… HUGE!

We had to start at 7:30pm to accommodate everyone who wanted to play and right from the get go we had talent climbing off the walls.

Speaking about talent, we had three new acts taking part as well.

They were:

1. Lexi Jackson who got up and sang “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars. She is also pretty handy with a flute as well.

2. Craig-Lee Smith who came to the Open Mic @ The Dan all the way from Melbourne (no, we wont hold that against you) and played some lovely folk tinged songs

3. Acoustic duo “Sus2″ who added some smooth, jazzy class to the evening

It seems that the Open Mic @ The Brunswick taking March off has not dampened the spirits of the performers who want to grace the Open Mic stage.

Here are some more photos from last weeks Open Mic @ The Dan just to let you know what you missed out on…

Chrissy & Drums

Emmanuel singing his guts out

John Lord

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday March 7th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Please Note:
There is NO Open Mic @ The Brunswick during March
(watch this space for any more details as they come to light)

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

I just found out from Brooke at The Brunswick Hotel that due to a pending SA Liquor Licensing Board investigation on the pub, the Open Mic @ The Brunswick (and in fact all entertainment at The Brunswick) has been cancelled until the end of the investigation.

This should happen by the end of March however, all I can recommend is to watch this space.

It’s very disappointing that the complaints of one person can close down entertainment at The Brunswick, something that creates an inviting atmosphere and give so much joy to everyone that enters the pub.

Unfortunately, there’s not much that Darren or myself (or anybody else for that matter) can do about this except to hang in there and just wait.

Another disappointing thing about this situation is that it comes on the back of an amazing week for the Open Mics at both The Dan and The Brunswick.

The Open Mic @ The Dan experienced probably the best night ever in terms of performances especially in the vocals department. Everyone who performed were on their “A” game and the rather large crowd at The Dan were treated to a feast of high quality entertainment

The Open Mic @ The Brunswick also experienced it’s biggest night yet in regards to performers, crowd and quality of acts.

It was a pretty amazing week…

There was one new face to grace the Open Mic stage at The Brunswick and he goes under the name of Dingo. He plays music from the good old 50′s and 60′s he got Darren and myself up on stage with him to jam out some classics. It was a lot of fun

And who could forget the amazing voice of Taisha who cam to live in Adelaide from New Zealand 6 weeks ago and completely tore up The Dan. Love to see and hear more from this woman that’s for sure.

Here are some images from last weeks Open Mics…

A Big Crowd

Loosh

Taisha

Big crowd at The Brunswick

Arvi Peterson

Peter Zajax

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday February 29th, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Please Note:
There is NO Open Mic @ The Brunswick during March
(watch this space for any more details as they come to light)

Remember to get in early at The Dan to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey

Hi everybody,

I wonder how the Open Mics at The Dan and The Brunswick will cope with the extra competition the the Adelaide Fringe Festival conjures up?

So far, The Dan has fared well but The Brunswick is struggling just a fraction to get the numbers through the door.

As the organiser of these Open Mics I would love to get some feedback from the Open Mic community regarding The Dan and The Brunswick just to make sure that Darren and I are on the right track

This will make both events better for everyone concerned.

• Is there anything that Darren and I can do to make the night better for you all?
• How is the sound? The organisation? The venue? Can we make any improvements?

If there’s anything that I need to bring up for the venue managers I will do it.

Think about it and let me know but in the meantime, I’ll be asking people at random over the next few weeks for their feedback because personally I think it’s always good to get a snapshot of how you’re performing every once in a while.

I’ll be looking forward to hearing your feedback.

Last week saw two new faces grace the Open Mic @ The Dan. They were Don Robbie and Jamie Atkinson who both did their bit to ensure that the quality of music pumping out to the appreciative crowd was of a very high standard.

The Crowd

Here are some more images from both The Dan and The Brunswick to whet your whistle…

Peter McIver

AP D’Antonio

Mal Capone

Avalanche

In other Open Mic Network news…

Website Revamp
If you’ve come to this website in the last few days you would’ve noticed that I’m experimenting with a different log and look. Don’t worry, it’s still business as usual but there maybe some strange things happening from time to time.

More Videos On YouTube
Recently I’ve started to put up the videos that were on the last YouTube channel before I accidentally deleted it. Come on down to the Open Mic Network YouTube Channel and check them out.

OK, here’s a reminder of what is happening this week on the Open Mic Network. Make sure you mark these dates on your calendar in BOLD RED PEN:

Open Mic @ The Dan
Wednesday February 22nd, 2012
Daniel O’Connell Hotel
165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
8pm – Midnight

Plus…

Open Mic @ The Brunswick
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
The Brunswick Hotel
207 Gilbert Street, City
8:00pm – 11pm (ish)

Remember to get in early to reserve a spot on the running sheet as it can get very busy. I’ll be there from 6:30pm to take down names.

See you all then,

Corey