Support Your Local Coffee House/Open Mic!

As you may know, the "coffee house" has been a haven and breeding ground for songwriters and performers throughout the history of contemporary music. It's one of the best environments to get your material heard & worked out. And some actually serve coffee. Here's a short list of some of the very best local sites:

WHAP! (a Weekly Happening with Audience Participation)- Calling all musicians, poets and comedians. Come out to an open mic where the audience gives constructive feedback to the artists on their material. Every act gets 12 minutes (about 3 songs--no obscenity or profanity). Patrons evaluate anonymously via an index card. The host will give the performers their cards at the end of the show. There are 8 acts, including the host and they are paid through audience tips. Every act that performs a complete set will receive a share of the tip money.

WHAP! is at 3 venues in Frederick, MD: Jennifer's Restaurant on Mondays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, The Mudd Puddle 124 S. Carroll St on Thursdays 7-9pm (starting August 4) and Friends Meetinghouse (unplugged) on Sundays from 7-9p.m. There is never a cover charge.

WHAP is hosted and scheduled in advance by local artist Shortbread. Contact Shortbread at rengawppj@hotmail.comor 301-682-4836 if you'd like to perform.

Towson Unitarian Universalist Church (TUCC) - TUCC hosts a musical evening with a house concert atmospere the last Friday of most months. Potluck dinner starts at 7 p.m. and concert begtins at 7:30pnm. Bring a dish to share. They have an open mic session at the beginning of the evening or a song circle to close. If you're interested in sharing your talent; please sign up when you arrive.

For more information, visit their site at http://www.towsonuuc.org/friday_concerts.html
or e-mail Tish at: t.michel@juno.com and include Friday Concerts at TUUC in the subject line.

New Creations Cafe, at the Arlington United Methodist Church Coffee House - Monthly, Sundays 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
2006 acts TBA.

Great venue that is still looking for entertainment! For more information or to volunteer contact shelbysours@yahoo.com
Church Web site: http://www.arlingtonumc.com/

Jammin' Java - Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Vienna. Hosted by David Cotton. Two songs per performer. Originals or covers.  Sign up in advance by email to mailto:david@jamminjava.com.

Baltimore Songwriters Association Monthly Open Mic - 3rd Monday of every month. Gallery g at The Rotunda (basement)
711 W. 40th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. Sign up 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m. No admission charge. non-smoking listening room. Original and cover tunes welcome! For more information, call 410-235-9060.

Zig's - "Tuesday nights from 8-11pm. Zig's is at 4531 Duke Street in Alexandria in the Foxchase Shopping Center. 703-823-2777. http://www.zigsbar.com. Solo artists and full bands are welcome. There is a drum kit and complete house sound system there. I will be running sound."
Jon Kaplan
Bicycle Thieves
http://www.bicyclethieves.com

New Deal Cafe - In addition to our SAW open mic on the fourth Thursday, there is another music open mic hosted by James Riordon on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 p.m.  Signups start at 6:30 p.m.  Originals or covers.

St. Elmo's - Open mic on the third Wedneday of each month from 8-10 p.m.  Two songs per performer, originals or covers.  Sign up from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Get there early, this open mic is quite popular. St. Elmo's is located on 2300 M. Vernon Ave; Alexandria VA. For directions call 703-739-9268.

Cafe Florian - Cafe Florian Coffee House will continue the second Saturday of each month through June. (September-June) at 7:30 PM at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, 7400 Temple Hills . It is 5 mins off the Beltway - take the Route 5 (Branch Ave/Waldorf), then the Allentown exit. Turn right on Rd. For information, contact Den @ -856-2573 Or Brian @ 301-645-4223.

Unexpected Pleasures Cafe - 8:00 PM on the 2nd Friday of each month in Annapolis. MD at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 333 Dubois Road, (410-266-8044). $2.00 suggested contribution or a "goodie".

Looking for more local music info? Check out Joel's Corner.

Hello Music Lovers!

Songwriter's Resources:

WAMA (Washington Area Music Association)
WAMA is an umbrella organization of musicians, concert promoters, lawyers, recording engineers, managers, graphic artists, and related businesses working together to address areas of common concern. WAMA's main goal is to promote Washington area music in general and to achieve national recognition of the region as an important center for live and recorded music. SAW Members can join WAMA at a reduced rate. (discount for new members only). For more information visit their web site at:http://wamadc.com/wama/

Songwriter's Tip Jar Forum
Forums promote the free exchange of ideas between songwriters, for quick questions, in-depth discussions on an unlimited variety of topics. Ask questions, get answers. Experienced writers help beginners and vice versa. Get the songwriting information you need: deeper, wider and faster! Get a critique of your music and lyrics. Critique and be critiqued. For more information or to register, visit their web site at: http://www.songwriterstipjar.com/index.php

Just Plain Folks is an ever growing group of songwriters, recording artists, music publishers, record labels, performing arts societies, educational institutions, recording studios and engineers, producers, legal professionals, publicists and journalists, publications, music manufacturers and retailers and about every other type of member of the Music Industry. For more info, visit their web site at: http://www.jpfolks.com/

NSAI: Established in 1967, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriter’s trade organization dedicated to serving songwriters of all genres of music. For information, visit their web site at: http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/index.ez

Check out the Moore Music house concert schedule: Details on the website (http://www.mooremusic.org ).

Also from the Moore site is the DC-area folk concert calendar

Songwriter Showcases: Opportunities to perform!

Music  Matters  Showcase
You get to hear several musicians and styles in one night.  You'll hear an eclectic mix of styles of music featured. There is no cover! Enjoy the best of a variety of artists!  Discover new talent!  They  have had everything from award winner artists, to performers who have been on radio and television, to exciting new emerging talent.  Hosted by Joseph Isaacs. Enjoy a free mini music festival at these locations: 

At Mad City in Columbia MD 7-10PM
10801 Hickory Ridge RD Columbia MD

Premiere English Coffee House in Columbia, MD

Mayorga Coffee House in Silver Spring

At College Perk Coffee House in College Park, MD

For more info or if interested in performing in a showcase, visit his web site at http://www.josephisaacs.com/ or e-mail Joseph at: jcisaacs@gmail.com

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