Arts Agenda: Open mics
Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. This week is a little different, as we take a look at places where independent aspiring musicians, comedians, storytellers and poets can share their work — and patrons can catch a rising star. This is just a small sampling of the many open mic nights in and around Atlanta. There’s probably one near you.
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Apache (393 Marietta St. NW) offers many opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. Among them are Moods & Monologues on May 19, Da Function: Indie Artist Open Mic on May 27 and ATL Jam Session: Live Band Open Mic on May 28. Check out their website for a full list of open mic nights.
Napoleon’s (2836 Lavista Road, Decatur) is another spot that offers many regular open mic opportunities for local musicians, including a jazz jam led by Joe Gransden every Monday night, a blues jam with Sandra Senn from Blue Velvet Atlanta on the second Thursday of the month and an acoustic open mic with Bill Sheffield and Spencer L. Kirkpatrick on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
This cozy coffee shop and performance space (240 DeKalb Industrial Way, Decatur), situated just down the street from Your DeKalb Farmers Market, hosts an open mic night on the first Tuesday of every month. The next one is scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 2
Charis’ Cliterati open mic takes place at Charis (184 S. Candler St., Decatur). This month’s featured poet is mk zariel in celebration of Voidgazing and Boy Apparition at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21.
Red Light Cafe (553-1 Amsterdam Ave. NE) offers a variety of open mic nights for musicians, poets and storytellers to take center stage. Every Wednesday there’s a jazz jam with the Gordon Vernick Quartet and on the fourth Tuesday, there’s Joy Deficit, a monthly live performance event which can include live literature, slam poetry, puppetry, music, comedy and more.
Every Monday night, Eddie’s Attic (515 North McDonough St., Decatur) provides an open mic forum for aspiring performing songwriters, with the winners moving on to the bi-annual competition (the next one is July 17). Past winners include John Mayer, Clay Cook, Uncle Mark Reynolds and Jennifer Nettles.
Socially Awkward Comedy is an open mic hosted by Amber Ritchie, Clifton Taylor and Shannon Kelly at Boggs Social & Supply (1310 White St. SW) twice a month on Tuesday, with the next one scheduled for May 12. Signup is at 7 p.m., with showtime at 7:30 p.m.
Smith’s Olde Bar (1578 Piedmont Ave. NE) offers two weekly chances to get behind the mic. On Mondays, Gio Yaquinto and his band host a live music open mic. On Wednesday, it’s Tha Jam with Juice Wayne and the Kitchen hosted by Willie Hyn, an improv-focused open mic event for musicians, rappers, singers and poets.
Blues and barbecue come together at the weekly Fran’s Jam open mic night at Fat Matt’s (1811 Piedmont Ave. NE).
Northside’s Lola’s Jam is dedicated to Lola Gully, a dynamic blues and R&B singer/keyboard player and Atlanta blues legend. Bring an instrument and jam on the beloved Northside Tavern (1058 Howell Mill Road NW) stage at 10 p.m. every Monday.
The Moonshadow (3976 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker) hosts an open mic night beginning at 8 p.m every Wednesday.
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