Last night @ Rendezvous

Last night I went against my better judgment to stay out of the rain and watch Game 1 of the World Series and instead walked up 18th Street to Rendezvous Café. John McBride hosts an open mic there Wednesday Nights. I hadn’t been in front of a microphone in a while and it was really starting to bug me. So, I threw on a jacket and walked up with Jay.

Apparently, a lot of other DC comics didn’t care about Game 1 either because they were out in mass. It was tough hollering at people to want to stay out in a rain soaked night, so soon it became apparent that it would be an comic only audience. A “workshop” if you will. Well, I didn’t care who was in the audience. In fact, I was kind of glad that comics I like would be hearing me. What a better crowd to give you encouragement right? Jay, Kojo and Nick bugged out(for shame!) but some other comics stayed behind including Bryson Turner, Seaton Smith, Mike Way and Jermaine Fowler. Funny f*ckers.

For those who haven’t been to Rendezvous the open mic is upstairs. It is a small red room with a bar. Intimate. Moody.

I was pretty happy with my set. I did some adlibbing at the top that I liked. I think I am finally past the first big hurdle of stand up; just feeling comfortable being up there. But, I still have no idea what to do with my jokes. I don’t know when the laughs are coming or what to do once I get them. But, I guess that is just the way it is. Every comic when they are trying out new stuff just has to be willing to see where things work and don’t work. I brought a tape recorder and I am looking forward to seeing if there is anything I can punch up and tighten or if all the laughs I heard were in my head.

Advice: Don’t put your tape recorder by an open window. VROOOM!!!

So, it was a fun night and it got me back up which I need. I am trying hard to push myself to get as much stage experience as I can right now, even though most nights it is tough to do. There were several other comics out last night that I didn’t get a chance to meet but it was good to see everyone supporting each other. The comic to real audience ratio was like 10:1, so that tells me that comics are hungry for more open mics NOW!

Anyone have any advice on where and how to open a room like that in the city?