Monday night open mic at Tower Brewing hosted by Autumn Sky Hall is a popular event! The beer is good, the stage, lights, and sound are attractive, and the talent is wide and varied.

I had visited the open mic often pre-pandemic. I remember it being a comfortable gig to exercise my ideas for a solo project. I also found myself joining a community of regulars, full of diversity. The space was supportive and accessible.

After a 2 year hiatus, the event is emerging again along the contours of its earlier form. Many new faces are joining in too. It makes sense that social restrictions led to a pent up creative energy in people and that they are drawn to this event, for it is explicitly inclusive.

It felt good to return last night to the space. I found some of the original characters, some familiar ones that I had met during the interim, and plenty of new faces, to me at least. The event seems healthy. The sound is upgraded and the word is out. Monday night open mic at Tower Brewing is, again, a destination for performing artists to exercise their craft, and for you to discover them.

Here are some observations to note. The event can attract the attention of some local entertainment news outlets so be camera ready. You can try contacting the host ahead of the sign-up times if you know you won’t arrive early enough for it and you are committed to performing. Due to the popularity, a common feature of open mics recently, expect a short time allowance. The host will abrogate stage time if the night proves to have impacted sign up list. You will have a higher chance of getting 2 or more songs if you sign up for the first 5 slots.

Also, unfortunately, there have been many reports of broken windows for cars parked around the area, mostly on the nearby street where most patrons find their parking. Consider parking further away in a safer spot, or getting dropped off in the meantime.