Northern Michigan Musicians Find Comfortable Home at Open Mic Night
Event Helps Create Sense of Community for Area Entertainers

To encourage growth of the local music scene, musician Gene Perry of St. Ignace has been inviting area entertainers to perform at Open Mic Nights scheduled periodically at bars around town, and finds that the informal events are drawing musicians from across northern Michigan, including Gaylord and Sault Ste. Marie. Comedy, poetry, magic, and ventriloquism can also be part of the unpredictable mix at Open Mic Night.

"Acts are often varying in music genre and in musician level, with some performers perhaps playing in front of people for the first time," Mr. Perry said. "It's a perfect place for newcomers to come out with a talent, since so many performers are themselves in the audience, so the vibe is relaxed and friendly."

"It's not a musicians-only closed party, by any means," he added. "Open is the operative word here, in so many ways, not only because you can never be sure what you're going to get, but also for the mindset you should have coming in, and the spirit that the event should have."

Calling the format a "tag team" performance, Mr. Perry said musicians play two or three songs, then hand off to the next performer. As the host and a musician, Mr. Perry fills in when needed.

Singer and keyboard player Teresa Fowler of Naubinway said the Open Mic series has been helpful in creating a sense of community among area musicians.

"It's a great way to meet other musicians in the community," Ms. Fowler said. "It's meant a lot to me, personally, because I'm at a point where I want to do something more with my music. I have great hopes for these events. People are performing in pairs and groups, finding new combinations of players and new interest, and it's so much fun to get together and hear people. It's fun for listeners, too."

Ms. Fowler distributes percussion instruments to the audience to encourage their participation.

Mr. Perry said hosting the monthly off-season events in St. Ignace will encourage more art, culture, and theater in the community, especially during the winters.

"Quite a few area musicians are really very good, and I always thought it was a shame that the music scene was such that it didn't allow them to play out more," he said. "Many are just so eager to play publicly, even if it's for free. The Open Mic definitely takes on a different character here than what I have seen in the big cities. It really has a very friendly, less formal, small-town flavor. It also serves as something of a cabin fever reliever for many musicians, so I think the caliber of musicians at the event is surprisingly higher here than what is typical with these events, and musician age and music genre is more varying, too."

Unusual twists keep each evening exciting, Mr. Perry said.

"We once had a guy play an Australian didgeridoo! We'll also do a 'guitaroke' for vocalists. I guess the general rule is, if it entertains, it's in."

Local musicians who have participated include Emily Evashevski, Jim Bishop, Ann Marie Dewey, Crazy Moose with Mike Pierron and Mark and Sara Halverson, Jim Fitzpatrick of Mackinaw, and the Bait Shop Boys of Cedarville.

The event has been hosted at the Rock Bottom Tavern in Moran and the Driftwood Sports Bar in St. Ignace, and has recently found a home at the Flame Lounge in St. Ignace. The next Open Mic Night will take place at the Flame Friday, November 17, from 8 p.m. to midnight.