poetry.openmikes.org

C&N Cafe

Upcoming Dates ?
Wed, Jul 09
Wed, Jul 16
Wed, Jul 23
Wed, Jul 30
Wed, Aug 06

The Stage (music, comedy, poetry)
Every Wednesday at 8pm

Hosted by Wilkine Brutus

4047 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL

561-616-8850

New Flash Crown… When my band and others who were trying to get gigs in L.A., and were night with 'an agent', we had to get our friends to come and pay to see us. We signed a contract with the club and stated if we didn't get at least 25 people to show and pay $3.00 a head, (telling the doorman they were there to see us) we THE BAND would have to pay the club the balance. And that was standard S.O.P. IN 1985! So do a little travling before you start complaining. My friends in Atlanta and New York say things are not much different today. I notice how you have the need to try to insult people with explitives, "fucks like you", it's the sign of a person who really does not have an opinion that stands on it's own merit. Like there's no need for me to say to you you're young and dumb and full of cum. Or it's obvious you're a rebel with out a clue. Or put down the Guitar Hero and get back to cooking me some frys. Because chance are some one else has already told you all those things.

Dave (7/2008)

Hmmm… interesting thread! I'm here in WPB from Iowa, just this week. Thinking about coming over Weds to play my originals, if I can swing it schedule-wise. Tell y'all what, I'd gladly pay 3 bucks for the privilege. I never have paid to play before, but to play for people is priceless!!! I call that a bargain, the best I ever had…

Michael Martin (3/2008)

The stage is the biggest open mic venue in the Palm Beaches. Renda, a great host and friend of mine, once said, "support the scene or there will be no scene to support." I end it with that. Please, kill this non sense… our venue is about everything, LIFE. Onelove, onelove, onelove

Wilkine Brutus (1/2008)

I am the guy that started all this by first posting that I did not want to pay to play. My post was polite and low key. What has followed is a lot of juvenile anger and self serving tirades. Ego trips… pent up anger… please… frustrated preachers… go get laid or drunk or both ! The issue is not money, but the established expectations for an open mic. Just imagine being invited to a birthday party… you show up with your present and the host says, by the way, it's 2 bucks to cover the cake. You of course have the 2 bucks in your pocket but don't want to pay because it just isn't DONE that way. Do you get it????? The owners of the venue should pay the sound person instead of forcing the sound person to cover costs by asking for the donation. It's that simple. Now everybody get over it…

Acoustic Patrick (9/2007)

Patrick,

This is Shawn The owner of Epiphany, the Promotional company that produces "THE STAGE". I RESPECT, AND UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITION, however I dont think you are being understanding or appreciative of our (Epiphany/"THE STAGE")dynamic.

Traditionally poetry, as well as some music based open mics have general covers, and also SIGN UP lists. For instance depending on locale there may be a door charge to everyone and then ppl sign up or a drink minimum in place. My point being that there is a resonable expectation of revenue whether it is on behalf of the venue owners, or the promoter. That is primarily due to operating cost more than greed or potential profitability. Now in regards to "THE STAGE" we have been producing this event since last November and converted it from a music based open mic to a poetry based open mic at the request of the owners and the previous promoter so that there would be more than 7ppl in the building(including staff and ownership). My point is that we made an investment as artist and business ppl and we vowed to give back tenfold what we recieved. I personally invite you to come back and play (for free)to a audience that is multicultural, 18yrs old to 50+, and influential, and accomplished in their own right. Please come and enjoy one of the national, or Hbo Def Poets who stop thru, or one of the comedians, or most importantly, saxophonist from L.A. who has albums out and comes to play, or Danny B's band (vocals, keyboards,guitar, and percussions)who got a write up after being heard at "THE STAGE", OR KAYREE who comes from Germany once every couple of months and performs. Come hear our whimsical and ultra talented host who got us a write up in Boca Magazine. Today as i write this; Eniqitus (a stage poet) is taping his Apollo performance in N.Y… I felt like you were asserting that we arent appreciative of "artist" when the reality is that we are. We appreciate the help in covering costs for our sound, we appreciated them when we did the back to school drive, the stop the violence rally and concert, we appreciate the hs kids who come with their parents and perform. Most of all we appreciate the chance to welcome you into our family so please feel free to call me 561 543 8939 or come by and bring as many ppl as you want.

Thank You

Shawn Frazier (10/2007)

As if you could get all type of things with three dollars- I address the subject of "paying to play"…

For those of you opposed to the suggested donation I ask this question: Do you pay rent?

American talent seems to have this belief that they are the exception to the captialist rule. Wake your gifted asses up and realize there are no exceptions- we pay for everything that is worth anything, be it the space of green we call home, or the freedom of going from point a to point b. Providing a home for your self-absorbed asses cost money- heating and cooling it to make you comfortable cost money- providing the equipment to insure you are heard by your admirers cost money- just as providing someone to serve you.

Grow up and realize that the world is not your mommy and daddy, and besides this one wonderful exception, we all pay.

In the mean time, as yourself how many artists you're paying the way for?

donathen (8/2007)

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