Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2004)
Amber McNamara Freelance Photographer Jonny Flash plays at Cafe Paradiso's open mic night April 27. Its Tuesday night open mic events have been running for nine years. Local amateur open-mic nights provide venues for might-bes Many Eugene venues host open mic nights, which offer musicians the chance to showcase their talents By Natasha Chilingerian Pulse Reporter When night falls in Eugene, local acts set the after-dark scene with rockin' mu sic at popular venues such as Samurai Duck, Luna Jazz Club and John Henry's. But every successful musician had to start somewhere with a tad lower pro file One way to get a musical career off the ground is to appear at the breeding ground for new musicians — the open mic. A slew of regular open mics abound around town to invite music lovers to share and observe new talent. The longest-running open mic in Eugene is held every Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Cafe Paradiso, located at 115 W. Broadway. Cafe Paradiso began host ing amateur artists nine years ago. Host and singer-songwriter Jeremy Works said a variety of styles and tal ent levels grace the cafe. "I see mostly singers with guitars, but we also get bagpipes, trumpets, and we've had a whole jug band," he said. "There isn't one specific music type, but it's mostly folk." Usually, Cafe Paradiso turns into a bar after 9 p.m.; however, their open mic welcomes a$ ages throughout the night. Tonight, Works will host the venue's first "best of" open mic show, which will feature four regu lars — acoustic guitarist Vince McGinly, jazz vocalist Natalie Olson, ukulele player Jonny Flash and blue grass band The Ordinary Flies. Mac's at the Vet's Club, located at 1626 Willamette St., features a bi monthly open mic. The event is host ed by musician Pete Christie, half of the guitar duo Christie and McCallum. The open mic runs every other Thurs day at 8 p.m. beginning May 6, and in vites all ages to participate for the first hour; the venue is 21 and over starting at 9 p.m. Christie said he tends to at tract "semi-folky, acoustic rock" from budding musicians and songwriters. "There's always musicians in this town looking for a place to play," he said. Jo Federigo's, located at 259 E. 5th Ave., hosts a 21-and-over open mic Mondays at 6:30 p.m. that attracts fans of smooth jazz and classical guitar. Owner Jerome Seljan said one of their regular acts, guitarist and vocalist Mark Alan, was discovered at open mic. "Some musicians are exposed at our club and we say, 'let's give them a weekend spot,'" he said. Works also said Cafe Paradiso's open mic is used by musicians to begin their careers. He mentioned perform ers often sell their CDs at the show and take the opportunity to practice their crafts in front of an audience. "It's a good way to get used to per forming in front of a crowd," Works said. "We get a crowd of non-perform ers who just come to see the show." He said since Cafe Paradiso's open mic is the oldest in town, local musi cians equipped with regular gigs were likely first seen there. "People have gone on to bigger and better things," he said. "A lot of local performers that have gotten big prob ably started out at this open mic." Eugene music enthusiasts have a few other options for open mic nights. All ages are invited to Planet Goloka's open mic Mondays at 6:30 p.m., and The Buzz Coffeehouse's eclectic all-ages open mic is held Fri days at 8 p.m. Planet Goloka is locat ed at 679 Lincoln St. and The Buzz Coffeehouse is on the ground floor of the EMU. Another venue for the 21 and-over crowd is Tiny Tavern, locat ed at 394 Blair Blvd., which hosts Monday open mics at 9:30 p.m. Contact the Pulse reporter at natashachilingerian@dailyemerald.com. Musique Gourmet Classical Music Opera Broadway Filmscores CD's SACD'S DVD'S Open Noon - 5:20 Sundays Noon - 4:00 Closed Tuesdays Behind Bradfords Across from Library 0 942 Olive St. | FREE PARKING 349-0461 LUNA open Tuesday through Saturday at 4 pm 30th East Broadway (541) 434-LUNA Event info and more at www.lunajazz.com Next to Adam’s Place Restaurant 434-LUNA Dinning Room open 5 pm to 9 pm weeknights 10 pm weekends TOYS ’ LINGERIE DVDs • VIDEOS \ MAGAZINES More ••• of everything youdesireinan adultstore! Open 24-7 (Almost) 1166 South A Street • Springfield • 726-6969 UO Students!! Present this Coupon with Your Student ID UO Ticket Office Main Floor- EMU Two Tickets for the price of One to much ado about nothing Thursday, May 20 Only! william shakespeare's ' much ado about | . nothing a tohiiiM>11 ilualre |mxlticlion \lav 1 1. 1.) 2(), > i. y_> 28, 2!)- 8 PM May 23-2 PM a benefit for Womenspace for benefit tickets 485-8232 1 ickets: l O IVkclOlhu- I Ml 346-4363 f ■ . . ■ * mm t m\ i kmis o MCDONALD THEATRE 18 Tickets at all TfcketsWest Outlets or call y All concerts will feature an opening band unless (800) 992-TIXX Service charges may apply * otherwise noted Times subject to change Interactive show information available atwww.mcdonaldthealre.com LIVE IN THE LOUNGE! SAT Aft MAY A9 8PM DOORS All Ages $5 TIX AT TICKETSWEST LIVE IN THE LOUNGE _ _ ____^ f .> DJ OAN-O-MITE ®HF FRIDAY MAY 7 8 PM DOORS 9 PM SPINS 21 + 10 PM TO 1AM LOUNGE 21+ MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
