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About LinkBacksI have seen this happen at several open mics. Usually the more sarcastic dudes do it to female comics in my experience.
I have seen this happen at several open mics. Usually the more sarcastic dudes do it to female comics in my experience.
But from just sitting there? How did they even know she was a comic? I've been privy to some pretty shit behavior too, but outside of Jack's Loft I wouldn't expect anything that bad.
Meg, I'd also suggest Lotties on Tuesdays in Bucktown. Mike Joyce runs a tight ship.
I don't want to plant my feet too firmly on a soap box, because that gets me nothing but the most obnoxious responses, but it's not hard to notice a lady signing up for an open mic. And it's often a sort of faux, failed flirtation that people do. I know multiple women who, upon signing up, have had to deal with some very specific people making fun of their name, suggesting "women aren't funny" ironically but in a way that a stranger might not warm to, etcetera.
From the annoying comedian's point of view it is probably conceived as a way to be social and just be friendly, but to someone showing up to tell jokes who doesn't socialize that way it can seem incredibly needling and distracting from what they came to do.
Last edited by dan telfer; March 26, 2011 at 6:32 AM.
Well, that's gross.
Dan, I think that is pretty much exactly what happened. Thanks for weighing in.
I'm about to be moving to Chicago, and was wondering if you guys could help answer some questions. I'm not familiar with the city, so I don't know any areas.
-What would be a nice area to live in? I'll probably be getting a studio my first year in the city.
-What clubs are good to start performing in(I have about a year and half experience)? I know of badslava.com, and I will be using it, but was just wondering if you had any recommendations.
-Are there any improve rooms? I've never actually done improve, but I'm interested in trying it out.
-How is public transportation in the city?
If you're living alone in a studio, just move near a train and/or your job. There's lots of nice neighborhoods, but we're one of the most segregated cities in the country, so expensive = nice rather literally.Originally Posted by Travesty.
What do you consider a "club?" A business with an owner that flies in acts? Then we have a south side urban club called Jokes and Notes and a northside mainstream club called Zanies. That's it. There's lots of comedian run places that are great (some of which you can call a club, but it's all semantics and I don't really give a shit about semantics stuff), and Red Bar Comedy Club is a weekend resident at the Ontourage booking more and more big names, and they just booked Todd Glass. But mostly you will be doing comedian run showcases and open mics here. Go to all of them as an audience member if you want to be taken seriously. Some new venues are opening in the next 1-2 years but locals are skeptical that they will be invited in.
Also, read this freaking thread.
If you're still calling it "improve" then you might want to do some more independent research before talking to anyone here about it.
Filthy, poorly funded, and well covered geographically.
Yeah, I was mainly talking about rooms for an open mic. I'll just use badslava.com, and keep at it, and hopefully meet some people. I'll probably be up there within the next 6-8 weeks.
Jokes and Notes has a Wednesday open mic. Zanies doesn't have one. Clubs and open mics are very different things here.
i think if you have the ( kahoonaassss ) to go up stage and try your material, then I give you lots of credit. I have been writing for over three months and still can't go up, ANY ADVISE PLEASE...........
I would just do it. I know it's easier said than done, but that's really all you have to do. I think I signed up a good three times, and bailed EVERY time, until the club owner kept recognizing my name, along with a no-show. So I signed up again, and he sat me down and had a chat with me. He said if I do that one more time, that I wont be allowed to perform, cause I was taking up someone else spot who could've performed that night. I felt bad about it, and he gave me another chance, so I took it, and it went a lot smoother than I expected. Sure, it wasn't perfect, but it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be in my head.
Just keep writing, and go and attend an open mic. You don't have to perform, but just get used to the feel of everything, and when you feel it's time, sign up and go.
My advice is to go to an open mic. Watch some people go up there and bomb. Then go up there and don't make the mistakes they made.
I cannot recommend enough going up before you think you're ready.
This, 1000 times over. I went up for the first time about a week after I decided to even try standup, with material that was nowhere near being even quasi-decent and I fell in love instantly. It's been an uphill battle since then, but a super fun one.
And, if you're in Chicago, there are plenty of friendly open mics. Some not-so-friendly ones too, but still...
New to stand-up. Wondering what you (or anyone) would describe as the rougher or less friendly mics and which are more to the friendly side? Thanks.
Well, Jack's Loft is notoriously unfriendly, but I think it's more just a thing of Jack being super blunt. I actually rather enjoy it there, but perhaps I'm more thick-skinned than I give myself credit for... Jokes and Notes will ruin your life if you bomb, but having even a decent set there leaves a feeling of accomplishment for a couple days.
I've only ever had good experiences at Lucky Number Grill on Fridays and Shit Show on Mondays. Shit Show has been slow-going the past few times I've went, but you couldn't ask for friendlier hosts. Really, most places will treat you nicely or just leave you alone - I've rarely had out-and-out negative experiences at an open mic in Chicago.
I just went to Lucky Number on Friday. Smallish crowd but everyone was super-friendly and you get like 8 minutes. Plus they have good drink specials.
Does anyone know if Johnny O'Hagan's and Risque Cafe are still happening on Thursdays? And if so, what time is sign up/start? Thanks.
O'Hagan's, I believe is still going on, that's what other comics are saying. Risque Cafe is canceled permanently.
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I don't get off work tonight 'til 9pm, and I really want to do at least a couple of sets tonight. I'm going to the Vic Theatre at 11:00, and it'd be great if I could squeeze in at least one before heading over there. I e-mailed Mo Na about the open mic at Sinbad's Hookah, but just in case she doesn't get back to me: if I show up there at around 9:15 or 9:30, is that too late to do a set? Badslava says it has a cutoff time of 10:00, so I guess I'm essentially wondering if the list fills up pretty quickly or if it's more of a show up 'n go up kinda deal. Sorry to pester, just never been there.
Also thinking of hitting up the poetry open mic at Trace if they'll have me. Anyone else ever been there?
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