ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Philly has talent that can rival any pro

This week, Matt Cantor wraps up his tenure as our open mic columnist by saying a few parting words about why open mics matter.

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ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Philly has talent that can rival any pro

POSTED: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 11:00 AM

Filed Under: Adventures of an Open-Miker

Every Thursday, singer/songwriter Matt Cantor gives you the skinny on a local open-mic night so you'll know which stages to call home. This week, he wraps up his tenure as our open mic columnist by saying a few parting words about why open mics matter.

Philadelphia is a city that celebrates public art, from Isaiah Zagar’s mosaics to the Mural Arts Program. The phrase “public art” conjures up images of paintings on recycling trucks, sculptures at the airport — all important work that helps make Philly a great city. But public art doesn’t have to be visual.

Open mics are music’s public art. They’re not restricted to exclusive performance spaces; they take place in bars and coffee shops, and every one I’ve attended in Philly has been free.

What’s more, they provide an entirely democratic opportunity for local voices to be heard: There are no restrictions besides showing up on time; no auditions standing in the way of performance; no need for self-promotion to get a spot. Open mics provide a stage for those who might otherwise never have a chance to be heard. They also provide a venue for rising stars — a place where performers can get their first taste of the spotlight or learn to be comfortable onstage.

All this is particularly important in a world where music, like other arts, can be difficult to “break into.” Performers shouldn’t have to know the right people, or have good business acumen, simply in order to share their music with a crowd. Open mics mean music by the people and for the people.

Since there’s no money involved, the audience at an open mic is treated to real passion from performers. These are people who want to play purely for the sake of playing, most of whom make time for music in their lives despite career or school pressures. And even though they get less time for music than professional musicians, that passion translates into an impressive array of talent. Attending open mics around the city, I’ve frankly been taken aback at the quality of many of these shows. Don’t think open mics are for people who can’t make it in the music industry — Philly has open mikers who rival any pro.

The city’s not just rich with open-mikers; it’s rich with open mics. There are multiple events almost every night of the week. My favorites are HERE and you can find others in our weekly event listings.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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