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People Performing at Open Mic Night Music lovers are jamming in the Monopole on Open Mic night Story and photos by Tats Kasama Some may say the attractions of Monopole, a tavern on Protection Avenue in Plattsburgh, are its drinks starting at $1.50, atmosphere, appearance, and live music. However, it is not only a place to listen to the music, but also a place for anybody to perform. The Monopole holds open mic night every Wednesday, where any local artist can perform on stage on the second floor. "If you know the key they're playin' in and progression, then you can play."
One Wednesday night, Robert Holzhauer, of the band Steven & Hawkin & Big Bangs, was playing the bass, with a guitar and conga bongo player. Holzhauer came to Plattsburgh three years ago from Westport to attend Clinton Community College. He plays music in Monopole every Wednesday, and sometimes in other bars too. He likes to play various kind of music, especially jazz, zydeco, and blues. He began songwriting six years ago, and most of the songs he plays are original. His first appearance in public was at a battle of the bands when he was a high school student. His band took third place. Since then, he has played many shows, but he said, "I was really nervous [in the first show], and I still get nervous." Some people may be too shy to perform in public, but it is natural. Even an experienced performer, such as Holzhauer, becomes nervous. "Open mic is a good opportunity to start playing [in public]," Jimi Ward, a graduate student at Plattsburgh State University College, said. "I wanna play everywhere in the world!" Ward took Holzhauer's bass next, and began jamming. He is the bass player of The Slow Natives, a reggae band that has had successful gigs in a tour of Puerto Rico in August 2006. Ward, 23, has been playing music since he was six-years-old, beginning with the piano. He has played the clarinet, drums, and guitar, and he has just started the trombone recently. His father liked blues music, and his aunt was a blues singer, so he grew up with music. "I woke up, and music was always there," he said. Having grown up in such a musical family, his brother became a professional jazz guitarist, and Jimi's band is also about to start their own professional career. Those two men have been Monopole habitudes, and play music very often; however, first-time comers also perform. Natalie Sabuda, also a graduate student at Plattsburgh State University College, came to Plattsburgh from Buffalo two weeks before. It was her first visit to Monopole and she sang her original song with the folk guitar. She wants to play again. She said, "I usually don't play, and, I don't consider myself a musician." "You can just get up there, and do your thing."
She learned the piano, flute (including the bamboo flute), guitar and mandolin. She used to be a member of the choir, orchestra, and a high school marching band. Sabuda got into the bamboo flute when she saw it in an Indian music concert during her five months stay in India. She took lessons on Hindi. It was very difficult for her, but she could communicate in another language. "I think music is a language that is very universal," she said. On the following open mic night, Keisuke Ono, a PSUC student, sang a blues song "Got My Mojo Workin" for the first time, too. Ono laughed out loud when Sabuda told him what the word "mojo" means: He did not really know its meaning, but "I enjoyed the open mic, anyway," he said. "Open mic has no censorship. I'm gonna sing whatever I want!" Ono came from Japan to Plattsburgh in summer 2005 to study English and journalism. Having been a bookworm, he recognized the power of words. He has always wanted to express himself and other things. Though he had hoped to be a professional musician, he decided to switch his career goals and came to the United States. He also emphasized music as a language. "They (performers in the open mic) have solidarity through music, right?" he said.
The open mic night is not only for those who play music instruments. Some read their poetry on the stage and others may come up there and begin to play background music for the poetry reader. Some shout. Others dance. They enjoy doing whatever they feel comfortable doing. It is the
open mic. Anyone is welcome. No bothersome procedure is necessary to perform.
Go to Monopole
on Wednesday night and put your name on the sign-up sheet. All set. Ready? |
Plattsburgh Bars with Live Music Monopole Maggie's Chi-Booms |
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