ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Fergie's Pub

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

0 comments

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Fergie's Pub

POSTED: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Critical Mass | Music | Adventures of an Open-Miker | Arts Events Philly Bands

Every Wednesday, open-miker Matt Cantor gives you the skinny on a local open-mic night so you'll know which stages to call home.

Zoe Bachman

Kiley Ryan

This Monday, Fergie's cozy upstairs bar was packed with people, all gathered before an old piano as if it were a fireplace. The open mic was set to begin at 9 p.m., and that's when I arrived. I was too late: the performers' sign-up sheet was completely full when I entered. So I settled in to watch, and was treated to a superior open mic session. The tone was set by a sign scrawled on a blackboard: "Be nice to each other." And under that: "Be in tune." Those pieces of advice summed it up: it was a friendly, chilled-out atmosphere, but people took their performances seriously. And it paid off: the show, which included full bands, jazz pianists, solo banjo and guitar acts, was captivating. Hosts Jonas and Phil kept things well-organized, and lent drum and bass accompaniment to a few acts. They also injected some humor, particularly during a mid-show trivia session. It was Presidents Day, so three contestants were chosen to answer quizzo-style questions; the winner received a free beer. That winner, Andrew Hink, was also one of the night's great performers. He resembled Ben Folds in voice and lyrics (one excellent line: "If I crash and burn/ the world still turns"), as well as a hard-driving piano style. But rather than Folds-esque piano pop, his songs were rooted in jazz and blues. Hink was among a roomful of talent, some traditional, some innovative; some established, some new to the scene. A standout player was Brian Ashby, who delivered string-bending acoustic blues in a wail worthy of the materialwell worth checking out. Bryan Calvetti played catchy reggae-infused rock, and Dave B. put passion into performances on both guitar and piano. Kiley Ryan sang in a warm and steady voice over banjoan instrument she'd learned days before. And Anam Owili-Eger played sleek, jazz-infused soul with a powerful beat. Whether you plan to play or to watch, Fergie's is worth dropping by on a Monday night. Alongside the good music, there's a quality beer selection, and the pub grub is tasty. But if you're there to put your talents on display, be sure to show up good and early. The nitty-gritty for performers: Tues., 8:30 p.m. sign-up, 9 p.m. show, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 215-928-8118. Performers get 15 minutes or 3 songs each.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

0 comments

Comments (0)

PHILLY LOVE NOTES: An ode to Spruce Street
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS: James Blake @ TLA 5/11
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
What we're trying to do this weekend
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
CITY PAPER WRITING CONTEST 2013: Send stories! Send poetry!

About this blog

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.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: