#8- AN OPEN MIC BROUGHT ME HOME

Sometimes in life something sweeps me under my feet and knocks me back onto my baby artist butt. Sure, I've had four solo shows produced here in NYC. I've won awards for my comedy and acting. In fact, I could say I am pretty well established as a solo performer in the giant city. But to keep it that way and to be able to charge forward and keep being good at what I do I have to keep seeing and supporting other peoples art. I need to let artists poke and prod and lull me with their wares so I'm encouraged to look within myself and bring those bubbling ideas and thoughts to the surface. Let them break through my the commercial veneer I paint on every morning before I head out to sell my wares. By complete surprise this happened to me last night.

It was one of those nights that miraculously became available to me. I could do anything I wanted. I received a text to join some friends at the Philharmonic in Central Park. One of my favorite activities. Seemed perfect. I called a friend who I knew needed a night out and he agreed to join me for some classical music.

My plans suddenly changed when I was invited to dinner with friends who I happen to be serving as maid of honor in their wedding. It was a rare moment I could get them together so I had to do that instead. I didn't want to bail on my friend though, so I asked him to meet me after dinner and an open mic a friend was performing in. Now, I haven't attended an open mic since I did open mics in the early 90's. They were very often non-supportive rooms filled with nobody but comics who furiously wrote down notes while each person performed. Very unsettling to say the least. My friend Paul Tabachneck was going to perform his music last night and I thought it would be good to support him. He's new in town and hasn't been "jaded" to open mics like a certain red head I know.

The Lower East Side rocks. Plain and simple. It rides along the L and F trains to Brooklyn which definitly attract artist types who either live in Brooklyn or used to live in Brooklyn. It's very "Brooklyn-y". Paul would make fun of me for saying that. He makes fun of me for saying 'funner" too. Anyway, whenever I'm on the Lower East Side I feel the grit under my nails and like something cool is about to happen. As i strolled to St. Marks from the L, a guy walked past me on his cell phone and said, "Yeah! It's such a high profile show I will get health insurance!". For performers health insurance in equivalent to winning the lottery or maybe even meeting Jesus for coffee.

The Under St. Marks Theatre has been a been of a staple to the "underground" performer scene. I've performed there half a dozen times in variety shows and even clown shows (I can make my stuff work anywhere!). As i walked up I saw a comedian I know, Liam McEneaney. I didn't say hi though. Neither did he. We sort of nodded at each other and he chomped on a gyro. I couldn't really tell if it was him because I haven't seen him in ages. It did turn out to be him though- and let me say this about Liam. He's damn funny. He's been around about as long as me and whenever I see he's on a line up I know he'll be good.

A few moments later Paul showed up and then my friend Theseus. I recently introduced these two and I have to say its scary how their personalities click. They're like devious man children. Funny and cute but devious.

A large scrawled sign read "Pennie's Open Mic" and a way groovy chick collected a $3 door admission. She later sang her heart out in a shiny pink cocktail dress with a plunging neckline. Ripped my heart out.

Inside we grabbed 3 seats and waited. Paul put his name in a bucket first so we figured he'd get an early spot. The theatre filled up all the way. I was shocked. A pile of music equipment lay on stage left and a full bar opened up. There was also a backyard area which I never knew about. This seemed to serve as a socializing area for the performers. Cool.

So it began. The host was a very pretty downtown looking woman, Pennie, who set the tone of the room. She explained this was a place for artists to express themselves however they wanted without judgement. Heckling wasn't allowed. I thought, "Is it ever "allowed"? Do people stop heckling because you say they're not allowed to? Doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose?" I soon found out that rule is strictly enforced in the room when one girl who couldn't seem to get control of herself was approached several times about her behavior. It was bizarre.

The acts were full of variety. There was Liam's stand up, which rocked. A woman filmmaker who shot a film of the audience in doctors garb clapping and then booing and hissing the camera. There were a few musicians. Some spoken word that kicked my butt. Master Lee was one of them. He's amazing and creative and hilarious!

In the middle of the show they had something called "the hootenanny ". This is where anyone who wants to can get up and sing and dance on the stage. It was sort of like a magical train wreck I couldn't stop watching. The filmmaker was up there with a guitar playing guy who did a monologue later on. The woman who took the tickets sneeked out midway in her pick dress and proceeded to sing her guts out. A unique fellow who sort of did an act of freestyle dancing jumped in as well and kept encouraging people to go up to the mic. It was really something. Paul and Theseus were out in the backyard but I couldn't tear myself away. It was a "people watchers" circus.

As the night drew on the acts became juicier and more eclectic. A beautiful blond in a red dress did a modern dance to scary music. Watching her was a scary man dressed as Jesus with horns sitting on a box. Weird and fabulous! Finally Paul went on. He got the last spot. Apparently they didn't shake up the bucket of names. Paul sang two new songs within his time limit of 7 minutes. They whole room became energized. What an amazing treat at 1am. It was one of those moments where you picture the rest of the world asleep while you and witnessing a an amazing moment. He's fabulous. Go listen to his stuff and buy his album ( :

So it ended. I was surprisingly awake. Such a positive atmosphere. So supportive. Truly a purge for whatever ails ya. I was inspired to write a new monologue about these people. A new character. I can't wait.

Paul and Theseus were brimming with a sense of adventure and insisted i join them. We toddled around for a bit until we settled on a Japanese restaurant. I was happy. Tired, but happy. When the city that never sleeps is sleeping it feels good to be up and alive in the name of art. I thank Pennie and all of those brave souls who shared their hearts with me. I hope to return the favor...soon.