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LopakaDavis
Aloha
USA
41 Posts |
 Posted - 02/23/2006 : 10:59:55 AM
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| Okay, we are good to do an Open Mic in the Bamboo Lounge, which is basically the same as the Island Grill... April is all clear except for the third Tuesday. I booked my guys for 3/28, but then found out that Liko will be on his honeymoon so I have to un-book us... maybe we should consider an Open Mic on 3/28? Let me know. Mahalo nui loa. |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2006 : 11:48:58 AM
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| Rob, is there a house PA system or will we need to provide our own? And, are Tuesdays the only available evening or is Wednesday an option? |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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LopakaDavis
Aloha
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2006 : 1:07:35 PM
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| Hi Art, Tuesday nights are Acoustic Nights and it was an easy foot in the door for me, but I can ask about their schedule... I'll give them a call back later this afternoon... |
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LopakaDavis
Aloha
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2006 : 2:56:39 PM
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| PS - a sound system would have to be supplied and they do have a small stage. |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2006 : 07:54:59 AM
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| Rob, I don't imagine Tuesday to be a problem for me personally but I was just concerned about the other regular participants of the current open mike and their schedules. As far as I'm concerned, take whatever you can get. Mahalo plenty... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2006 : 09:28:25 AM
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quote:
PS - a sound system would have to be supplied and they do have a small stage.
Oakey Doaky, I will bring some of my sound stuff, at least enough to cover our trio.
(I was bringing my Carvin to Expresso most times anyway, and leaving it in the trunk)
This applies to wherever the next open mic occurs that I can attend. As I said before, if a couple of other folks bring some gear, we should be adequately covered most times.
If not then we just go acoustic (which teaches an often-needed lesson on how to play loud).
As far as dates: my preference would be to leave at least one Month from the last Expresso event to the first event at a new place. Otherwise, not enough time to practice new material!! 
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 02/24/2006 09:33:57 AM |
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Pulelehua
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2006 : 10:21:29 PM
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One of our regular audience members recommended a couple of coffee houses near Santa Clara University as potential sites for our Hawaiian music open mics so I toured them this week along with the Bamboo Lounge. I am still trying to contact the managers/owners for the coffee shops but wanted to share what I found out so far.
City Lights Espresso in University Plaza across from Franklin Mall at 1171 Homestead Road in Santa Clara, is across the street from KKUP 91.5 FM (Aloha Friday show) . Specs: no stage, ample parking lot in rear plus a 2-story garage, nearest freeways are 101 and 880, two rooms on either side of the coffee/food bar, no alcohol. They normally close at 6 PM, but would be willing to stay open later any evening.
Mission City Coffee House is located at 2221 The Alameda in Santa Clara. Specs: stage will be installed soon, small parking lot in back and some street parking, nearest freeway is 880, two large rooms (alcove room is used for performers), coffee/food bar located in larger room, no alcohol, wi-fi hot spot. Don't yet know what evenings are available.
Bamboo Lounge is located at the Clarion Hotel San Jose at 1355 N. 4th Street. Specs: built-in corner stage, dedicated off-street parking for the hotel, restaurant and bar, nearest freeways are 101 and 880, one rectangular room that opens to the hotel lobby and the Island Grill restaurant (providing additional seating), adjacent outdoor patio, alcohol bar along one wall, three TVs, waterfall.
By the way, I heard that the folk music open mic is moving to Cupertino to the Britannia Arms, a British pub. I haven't visited it, but online it says there are pool tables, foosball, darts, sports leagues, and sports on the telly.
I'm happy Bamboo Lounge is available and it's very attractive; however, I wonder if musicians compete with all the TVs. City Lights Espresso is light and bright, but I wonder if it will draw much of a neighborhood crowd since they're normally closed nights. Mission City Coffee is comfortable with a delightful mural like the one at Espresso Gardens and attracts regular evening customers, but if the parking lot was full at 6 pm on a Monday night, I wonder how hard it will be to park.
Has anyone attended live music at either of these coffee houses who could compare them to Espresso? My preference for a location is one where the audience attends because people want to listen to the music rather than having music serve as a backdrop for conversation. That quality makes Espresso Gardens such a wonderful and supportive environment.
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Pulelehua |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 08:30:22 AM
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City Lights used to have ongoing music, excellent venue. Draws some SAnta Clara U folks. For the size of group we've been getting, it's a nice venue. Same "warm" feeling as EG. Great parking. Some posters in the neighborhood wouldn't hurt.
MissionCity - in the eves mostly a SAnta Clara U hangout - typically tables filled with students. Big space with echo, but if they put the stage in the "small room" on the side if could work out very well. Parking can be a challenge, but nothing like SF.
Bamboo Lounge, would have been where I checked first, if Rob didn't. Kind of personal choice - Space is nice. Pretty good foot traffic, especialy from people staying in hotel, so it would give more opportunity to play for "strangers" Whoever coordinates with mangement should just try to get the tv's shut during the performance.
There is still a slim chance of someone buying EG and continuing the venue. There are people interested in the business who can raise enough $$. The sticking point is that the owner of the building wants to raise the rent significantly, maybe more than the venue can actually support.
Which brings me to my last point. South Bay Open Mic is now a viable ongoing event. Upcoming March open mic will be my last time as coordinator. I've been speaking with Dave Nye who will step up. Anyone else interested in being the coordinator should probable post here. I'll be happy to share whatever I know and help with the transition. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 4:37:22 PM
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Oh, I forgot...deja vu all over again...
I encourage you to play your one or two favorite songs. Might be a nice way to say Aloha to EG |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 6:07:40 PM
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Raymond,
Thank you for posting. Yes, folks, Raymond asked me to take over for him. I'm am honored, but if someone else wants the position, I will yield.
First of all, there are a couple people I'd like to acknowledge here. One is not a member of TaroPatch, but is a travel agent to many of us; Maureen Stanifer. She and her husband, Spike, have been audience members at most of our open mics. She suggested Mission City and City Lights and has been very insistant that someone talk to their management. Second is Pulelehua who scoped out both places and as I hear took many pictures. Last but not least is Raymond. He's been our rock for the past year. My heart goes out to him.
Here's my $0,02 worth. I have been to the Clarion a few times. It's a great room, easy access and wonderful parking. It's also a business hotel. The crowd may not be conducive to what we have to offer, but who knows? City Lights is a very nice place, but I talked to the owner on Tuesday and she didn't seem interested in being open past her usual 6:00 PM. Access is bad, but parking is good. Mission City has good energy. Small room, but potentially very good. Very easy access, but only decent parking. I'm meeting with the manager on Saturday morning. Since they are going to have a weekly open mic on Wednesdays, we would have to switch to a Tuesday or Thursday (or not). Hopefully, EG will stay in business and we don't have to fret about any of this.
Please post your input. This needs to continue to grow
Me ke aloha ko`u `ohana.
Dave |
Edited by - `Ilio Nui on 03/04/2006 4:16:20 PM |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 6:47:34 PM
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| Mission City or Bamboo would be fine in my opinion. Now that you mention it, probably a more receptive crowd at Mission City, certainly won't have the (potential) problem of facing a rambuctious drunk. Get there early enough (and grab some dinner) and parking can be either in back (only holds 8 or so cars) or within a half block. |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2006 : 9:41:33 PM
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Raymond, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for going out and getting us started on Open Mic night at the Espresso Garden. Several times it was all I looked forward to on those dismal work days... It really has been fun.
Dave, great of you to step up to the plate. I know how much you also love the music, so thank you for working to continue it.
AND! I got to meet Maureen and Spike there. Heard they were travel agents and decided to have them organize our trip to Maui and Moloka'i this last month. Boy, Maureen took care of all these details and we love the way we could count on her. Truly exceptional help. Thanks, Maureen and Spike! I'll be calling your for George's camp in June.
Lots of aloha, Julie |
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Pulelehua
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2006 : 4:12:59 PM
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'Ilio Nui,
quote:
I am still trying to contact the managers/owners for the coffee shops but wanted to share what I found out so far.
Your calling the manager of City Lights probably explains why she hasn't returned my phone calls. I am so surprised! I’m feeling left out of the loop, so to speak. |
Pulelehua |
Edited by - Pulelehua on 03/04/2006 10:30:10 PM |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2006 : 4:23:42 PM
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Pulelehua,
In actuality, I only knew you were working on it because Maureen told me after the fact, after she had given me the contact info. It's seems that a number of us have been working on this project independently. Mahalo to all for the passion to keep this alive. Hopefully it will all be moot should EG stay open.
Dave |
Edited by - `Ilio Nui on 03/05/2006 05:12:59 AM |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2006 : 09:56:45 AM
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Aloha e ka `ohana,
Hope to see many of the regs and new folks tonight. If this is the last EG, then let's go out with a bang. If not, then let's start a new cycle with a bang. I can hear the Kam's sweet beginnings right now.
Mahalo,
Dave
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