FR: Matt Nicodemus & Bob Lane, Post Home Open Mic co-coordinators
RE: Friday night Open Mics at the Post Home are alive and kickin’!
Contacts: Post Home Bar & Grill (www.posthome1.com)
31, Lane 35, Chung Shan N. Road, Sec. 6, Tien Mou, Taipei
Bob Lane, manager & Open Mic co-coordinator
Telephone: 02-2835-6491 E-mail: posthome@ispeed.com.tw
Back in the fall of last year, ICRT DJ and longtime key figure in the Taiwan music scene Rick Monday had a great idea: boost live music in north Taipei up to a new level by starting a weekly open microphone at the Post Home Bar & Grill in Tien Mou. The first of these no-cover, no-smoking events took place Friday, November 10, and it was a big success, bringing together players and very appreciative audience members from five or six different countries. Mucho fun was had by all that night, and the fun continued at the open mics that followed.
Christmas and the New Year saw this new dimension of local culture creation go into brief hibernation, but in early January, musician and Tien Mou resident Matt Nicodemus teamed up with Post Home manager Bob Lane to reawaken the slumbering beast and give it a stylin’ new set of duds. After a few weeks of hard work, they’ve set the stage for Friday Open Mics to become a real community institution, “something that will bring people together to truly enjoy each other’s creativity and company,” says Nicodemus. The first open mic of the year was Friday, January 26th, featuring not only music originals and covers but also some card tricks by a local magician. A week later, the audience again spanned the globe, with listeners from Japan, Germany, Canada, the States, Taiwan, England, Scotland and Australia, and the players included longtime Taiwan resident and singer-songwriter extraordinaire Robin Dale, visiting from his home down south in Pintung. Since then, attendance has ebbed and flowed, but a spirit of creative community has always run strong. Organizers are excited to see how things develop over the coming weeks and months.
Here are the details of what’s been put together so far:
Where: At the Post Home Bar & Grill in Tien Mou.
When: Every Friday, 8-10 pm (except for Bluezathon nights, including 3/8 & 4/6, when they’ll begin by 9:00 pm and run for two hours)
Who: Everyone’s welcome, including kids (accompanied by parents), and anyone who wants to can perform.
Which kinds of performance: Mostly music, original and otherwise, in all sorts of styles and languages, done solo or by ensemble.
How much it costs: Nothing!
How long acts perform: Generally 15 minutes or less, about 3 songs/pieces max.
How to sign up to perform: To make sure you get a spot, visit the Post Home website (www.posthome1.com) to sign up online, or call 02-2835-6491 and sign up by phone. You can also just show up to play (though you may not be able to get on the program).
Food & drink specials: Prime Rib Dinner with au jus gravy, vegetable, roll & butter (NT$295), Bottle Beer (except Boddington’s & Guinness)(NT$100). All performers get a free drink &/or snack!
Web page specials: Open Mic performer lists and photo album.
Health & well-being special: Smoke-free environment during the Open Mics!
Bob Lane sums it all up with a slogan he’s putting on posters for the Open Mics: “Real People Making Real Music.” Christopher, a Post Home regular who caught some of the shows in 2006 and plans to catch many more, says they remind him of his younger years in South Boston, when the neighborhood pubs would open up their doors on Sunday afternoons to sponsor open mic gatherings. “Those were great affairs, that really brought the community together. Whole families would show up, and everyone felt unafraid to perform, because they knew the audience really wanted to hear or see what they had to offer,” he explains.
That description applies to the Post Home events so far, reports Matt Nicodemus, noting that all the performers he’s talked to have been very happy with their Open Mic experiences. “They’re great crowds,” says Nicodemus, “and the place is small enough that you can’t almost can’t help but connect with them!” He’s focusing now on bringing in artists from around Taipei, and the whole island, as is Bob Lane, who pumps his fist as he urges, “Spread the word! Whether you’re a player or a listener, a star in the making or a groupie in training, the Post Home is a place to be on Friday nights!!”
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Looks like it’s an easy trip. Hope to see everyone there!