Archive for category Reviews of Open Mics

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Review of the Bus Stop Music Cafe on Thursdays in Pitman, NJ

Performing at Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman NJ

Performing at Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman NJ

(Editor’s note: I’ve covered the Bus Stop Music Cafe before, but my pictures are nowhere near as awesome. Plus, Josh is a journalism student with a little more flair when it comes to description.)

The Bus Stop Music Café is a charming little coffee house nestled in downtown Pitman. Every Tuesday night from 7pm to 11pm, the lights dim, and are replaced by the warmth of lava lamps and twinkling strands of Christmas tree bulbs. Vic Martinson, owner and operator, sets out a few microphones, an amplifier and a blank clipboard. Over the next few hours, local musicians from all around will come to entertain customers at the weekly open mic, pausing only to enjoy some of the delicious drinks offered at the coffee bar. For a few brief hours the Café seems to exist as a cozy bastion, set apart from the rigors of everyday life, the inviting orange glow from inside drawing in weary travelers for a hot cup and some good tunes.

The Café opened in late 2005, and after four years it has a strong group of regulars. The atmosphere is comfortable, like a hole-in-the-wall bar without the cigarette smoke and the drunks. Seating is plentiful, and the café is filled with musical instruments of all kinds. Records and posters displaying imagery from every genre of music adorn the walls. This is mimicked in the variety of performers, who play everything from classic rock to emo, and 20’s blues to indie/soul.

The backend of Bus Stop

The back end of Bus Stop

Bus Stop welcomes newcomers warmly, with a hearty round of applause and a quiet attentiveness despite the fact that the Café is packed. Listeners are respectful of the artists, keeping conversation to a whisper during performances, and offering nothing but encouragement at the end of each song.

The coffee bar is joined by a full kitchen and a selection of gourmet ice creams, including seasonal flavors like pumpkin. A large compliment of organic products and Izze beverages are available as well, all at a very reasonable price. The back of the Café sports a small music shop, with guitar strings, tuners and other necessary supplies for the artist-in-need along with a fairly sizable selection of incense.

Theyve got an impressive music selection and interesting coffees.

They've got an impressive music selection and interesting coffees.

The main focus of the shop is the large music store set into the back corner. Bus stop has a veritable library of CDs, cassette tapes, and even old-school vinyl records for sale. They even have a special section dedicated to local artists.

Anyone is welcome at the open mic, regardless of skill level, provided there’s nothing too profane in the music. Bus Stop is a family venue, so swearing and “adult” language are discouraged. While alcohol is not served on the premises, there is a B.Y.O.B. policy in effect.

Yum!

Yum!

Bus Stop doesn’t have its own website, so for any more info about the open mic, or anything else concerning the café call them at 856-582-0009 or come in and ask. Questions are always welcome.

Thank you Josh!

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Review: The Music Boutique Open Mic on Fridays in Northfield, NJ

The outside of The Music Boutique

The outside of The Music Boutique

The Music Boutique is in Northfield, NJ and holds open mics on Fridays starting at 7pm. It’s a pretty new (less than 6 months) music store in the area.

I went on a sow night, but I was assured that more people went on a regular basis. Regardless, it was a fun time. Expect to me talented musicians, as this is a music boutique. A group jammed for a little bit and I rocked out on xylophone and bongos. There’s a very loose feel to the place, but the manager Chris in very on the ball. He’s always remembered my name and it blows me away every time. I’m telling you: not one has he forgotten me. Incredible.

Go to Music Boutique on Fridays at 7pm because it’s a fun little time. Bring your friends and hang out. Depending on the night, you might need them. But I trust Chris. Read this little shot I took below if you can make it out. It’s essentially a kid’s story about why Music Boutique is such a great place:

Tesitmony to awesome

Tesitmony to awesome

Details:

  • Music Boutique:
    • 1333 New Rd # 1
    • Northfield, NJ 08225-1202
      (609) 383-9800
  • Fridays, 7pm
  • Musicians mostly.

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Review: Red Bank Music Community’s Open Mic on Tuesdays in Red Bank, NJ

[removed at request of Red Bank Music Community](Recently, Alex Siniari and I traveled an hour and a half up to Red Bank, NJ for an open mic. It was quite the road trip! You can read the side-notes and ramblings from it in this post: Some rambling before the Red Bank Music Community post)

The Red Bank Music Community is a group located in Red Bank. NJ. This is one of my favorite open mics I’ve been to yet. You can see how dedicated these guys are on their MySpace page:

“The Red Bank Music Community is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a community of musicians, writers and enthusiasts centered in Red Bank, New Jersey. We are dedicated to non-traditional music education and we are a public charity that presents mostly free classes, workshops, concerts and more, in the interest of providing the opportunity for everyone to enjoy music and to express their artistic selves through music in a positive environment. We’re all about respect, unity and positivity, but above all else, making our local music scene a true community.”

One thing that stood out before I even got to the open mic was how well-maintained their MySpace page is.

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Review: The Treehouse Cafe Christian Open Mic in Audubon, NJ

The Treehouse Cafe

The Treehouse Cafe

The Treehouse Cafe is in Audubon, NJ. They’re the hosts of two open mic nights, and the one I’m reviewing today is held on Sundays. Don’t take me wrong; I went to it last Sunday. I just got to posting it today though.

This is a Christian open mic, and it starts at 7pm and goes until 10pm. It was actually filled with people, which is something I wasn’t exactly expecting. There wasn’t a set list, but mentioning that you want to play is all you need. They said they have a kind of “house act” that plays until anyone else wants to go up. I didn’t feel like I was infringing  on anyone’s territory; everything was fine.

The Treehouse Cafe itself has a very nice inside. The wall behind the stage is lined with burlap coffee bags. I liked it. One thing to note is that your songs should be of the Christian persuasion. It’s certainly more religious than it isn’t, and that makes it perfect for the target audience.

The inside of the Treehouse

The inside of the Treehouse

As far as music goes, I would say that this is probably more concentrated on fellowship over exposure. Don’t go expecting to be a rockstar, but go if you want to be around other Christian performers.

That’s all!

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