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ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Time in Center City
In the corner sat a small stage, with just enough room for a drum kit with two performers in front of it. The existence of the drums suggested this would be a night heavy on bands - and it was.
ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Time in Center City
I have to admit, the clocks on the walls at Time, a classy bar on Sansom, kind of freaked me out. At first I thought they were real, since right at 8:30 p.m., I looked at one that said 8:30. Then, two hours later, it still said 8:30. Something fishy was going on. Then I realized. “This bar is called Time. They’re just decorations.” Still, seeing real-looking clocks everywhere saying different times makes you feel like you’re in a creepy kids’ movie.
Aside from that, I liked the place. It has a great beer selection from around the world, and good food that mixes gourmet with everyday — including some intensely flavorful macaroni and cheese. The open mic took place in a large space to the left of the entrance, where a bar formed a square island in the middle of the room. Along the outside of the room were small tables, each with a candle. Along with the clocks, the walls were adorned with mirrors and a large painting.
In the corner sat a small stage, with just enough room for a drum kit with two performers in front of it. The existence of the drums suggested this would be a night heavy on bands — and it was. Signups were around 9 p.m., and the first to play, at 10, were the Suntones, who hosted the night.
Talented and unpretentious, they performed a batch of classic reggae tunes. Though it was just guitar, voice and drums, they managed a full sound; Marc Lomax’s guitar mimicked a bass throughout. Their clean and well-balanced performance fit well with the atmosphere of the bar: upscale but not in-your-face about it. Following the Suntones, each performer was allotted three songs. Acts included Ryan Kilo, an acoustic guitarist and high tenor who injected his hard-strumming songs with contagious emotion. Later came the New Indulgers, folk rockers whose Jerry Garcia-esque lead guitarist traded solos with a trumpet player, who filled the bar with a sweet, clear tone.
The best part of it all was the crowd: The spacious bar was packed. Sure, they probably didn’t all rush out specifically to see the open mic, but they were there, and they gave performers many, many ears to woo.
The nitty-gritty for performers: Mondays, sign-ups at 9 p.m., show at 10, Time, 1315 Sansom St., timerestaurant.net. Free, three songs each.
For more locations, visit the Open Mic section of our online listings database.
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