In my wildest fantasies, I’m a rock star, a poet, or a folk singer. Each time I step into the spotlight and begin to share my artistic “gift,” I inevitably inspire awe, respect, reflection, and, of course, jealousy.
In my waking hours, I’m always “about to” make this dream come true. After trying out one year for Cabaret and finding the spotlight less than magnetically attracted to me, the closest I’ve come to the brink of stardom is the requisite poetry reading during which my ass remains attached to a cheap plastic seat in a clich? coffeehouse.
If you can empathize at all with this drastic dichotomy between the perceived possession of cojones and their real manifestation (or lack thereof), you’ll enjoy seeing people like us take the stage at open mic nights.
The best part about going to an open mic night is seeing other seemingly timid, stage-shy normal folk turning chameleon-like into the “next big thing” as they exhibit extraordinary talent in the form of ordinary people. The walk between the audience and the spotlight may only consist of a few feet, but every inch is an eternity when it marks the distance between private emotions and the public representation of them.
But as eye-opening as a quality open mike night can be, so can a bad one be flinchingly painful, so ensure an at least decent experience right off the bat with these three venues.
At Bar Nun, the talent is not only good but incredibly diverse. Every Monday night at 8:30 p.m., this small U Street bar opens its doors to anyone who can express-whether through rap or spoken-word poetry or pop songs-and express well. Only $5, the cover is well worth it.
Twins Jazz offers a slightly different program. Every Sunday night, the Michael Price Trio has an open jam session during which audience members are known to join the band.
I’ve always been in awe of comedians, and seeing a friend from my first-year dorm perform at an open mic night at The Improv didn’t change that. Performers cross every boundary laid in front of them, and the interplay between the real-people comics and the audience is always hilarious.
I’ll most likely never possess the verve to make the spotlight subservient to my superior talent. You probably won’t either. Why not go see people who do?
Bar Nun, 1326 U St., N.W. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St., N.W. The Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
