Our mission is to
provide a clean, safe and welcoming venue to the community which, through its
facilities and activities, allows people to learn and develop skills, socialise
and gain friendships.
Open Mic Night is held in the Lounge
Bar at the Community Centre (directions) every 2nd
Sunday of the Month (subject to Bank Holidays) from October until May. The next
few events will be held on:
Back in October
No Nov OMN
Sun 8th Dec 13
No Jan OMN
Sun 9th Feb 14
Sun 9th Mar 14
Sun 14th Apr 14
Sun 11th May 14
The Lounge (and Bar) open at 7:30pm and
performers are encouraged to arrive early (certainly before 8pm). We we wlll be
organised to sort out running order slots around 7:45pm with the first act on
at 8pm (First come - first served). We allow 15min per slot (MAX), but short
sets are fine, so we have a nominal 10 slots for the evening, but book up 14
slots, noting those is slots 10-14 may not get to perform - depending on run
time. Generally we plan to finish around 10:30pm to allow us to clear away the
PA system before the centre closes. (Bar closes at 11pm).
Who, How and What
When you arrive the host for
the evening will (normally) be Kevin, there will be a list of 14 performing
slots (nominally 15 mins) on the board, so please
sign
up for a slot of our choice (if a slot isn't filled we will just move to
the next - so timings will be approximate). After the initial allocation
peformers can sign up for a second set (vacant slot). Also remember some of the
later slots may not perform, they are there to allow for earlier acts to be
shorter than 15 mins. Slots 2, 3 and 4 will (on initial allocation only) be for
youth performers (under 16yrs of age) who may split their slots into two 8 min
slots.
The 15 mins includes change over time before you
play.
What? to perform is really open to you. We encourage Poetry,
Song, Music and Comedy - but we do insist that all material is appropriate for
a family audience with young children throughout the
evening.
Participants are encouraged to read the Rules below as
well as those on the Sign up Sheet. We appreciate Feedback, which is also
covered in the Rules below.
Technical - Who, How and What
On the technical side,
the techie will (normally) be Kevin. We provide a PA system, two active
full-range speakers and two sub-bass speakers (600w each), as well as three
SM58 vocal mics and stands, two instrument mics (and stand) and two active DI
boxes. This is supported by a mixing desk, effects unit and 31-band Eq etc. In
addition we have two monitor speakers on stage. See
schematic for more info - we also have a music
stand!
Where
possible all vocals and instruments will be feed through the PA system - it is
unlikely individual amplfiers will be needed - we have proven guitars (inc
bass) and keyboards through the PA system - though will mic guitar amps if
needed. We will also support "backing tracks" if you bring them on MP3 players,
mobile phones etc (3.5mm jack connection); in addition backing tracks on CD are
also fine. Contact klawrence@hanhamcentre.org for
more information. Lighting is currently 6 LED parcans on stage - and we now
have two LED front lights as well.
Photo Gallery
Jess
(Oct 13)
Jess
(Oct 13)
Richard
Jake & Lauren
Jess and Charlie
Mia
Martha
Dave
Richard and Laura
Trevor
Len
Sarah
Richard
Serenata
Charlie and Jess
Helen and Hilary
Hilary
Gary
Bea
Luke
Len
Sarah
Jessica
Hilary
Laura
and Richard
Ellomellopea
Serenata
Gemma
Molly and Bailey
Rob
Andy
and Claire
Gemma
Aaron
Paul,
Mim and Dave (Serenata)
Jessica
Dan
and Aaron
Why
As this has now covered the Who, What, Where,
When and How - we may as well cover the Why - though I'm assuming it is
obvious. Firstly, to get more people into the centre on a Sunday evening, to
encourage new people to use the centre, and to provide a venue for people to
"show case" their talent.
Any additional feedback or information please
email us.
Rules (or Terms and Conditions)
1. By performing, all
performers accepts the organisers will take photos which could be displayed on
this (and other) websites and facebook sites for publicity purposes (this may
include short video clips onto youtube). If you do not want you photos on our
website or facebook please let us know when booking in (at each OMN). As other
performers may take photos you may wish to announce this also at the start of
your slot (at each OMN) - as we will not be held liable for what other
performers post on-line. We may also take "room panoramas" of OMN on occasion
for the website, which you may be in - though not necessarily
performing.
2. The organiser reserve the right to cancel, postpone or
re-schedule Open Mic Night, and this webpage will be the main source of
information.
3. Should there be any issues or argument over perfomances,
slots etc the organisers decision is final.
4. Similarly, if there any
issues or arguments over sound, microphones, mix, volume etc the Techies
decision is final.
5. Any person using unsuitable language will be asked
to alter their behaviour or performance material - any re-offending will be
asked to leave.
6. Particpants and audience members are expected to
support all acts whilst they are performing - this means no excessively loud
talking etc, and not leaving after you have performed.
7. Performance
slots. We wlll be organised to sort out running order slots around 7:45pm and
as such performers are encourage to arrive well before 8pm - the first act is
on at 8pm. We allow 15min per slot (MAX), but short sets are fine, so we have a
nominal 9-10 slots for the evening, but book up 14 slots, noting those in slots
10-14 may not get to perform. Depending on how many performers are present for
a given OMN, slots may be available for a second set. If really quiet these may
be issued earlier (at or just after 8pm), but will normally (especially if
busy) not be filled until after most of the initial acts have perfomed (i.e at
the break). Latecomers are unlikely to get an early slot and may not get to
perform at all (if in later slots).
8. Slots 2, 3 and 4 will (on initial
allocation only) be for Youth performers (under 16 years of age), who may split
their slot into two 8 min slots, and as such may appear in a later slot. Youth
performers may (of course) choose another slot.
9. The organiser will
include at least one break, nominally after slot 5 for 5-10 mins. However, the
organiser may include additional and/or longer breaks depending on the number
of patrons/performers etc. The evening will nominally close at 10:30pm (with
the last slot at 10:15pm). However the organiser may close the evening earlier
(with no second sets), or may extend the evening to accommodate a larger number
wishing to perform - this will be with a last performance at 10:45pm and a
close at 11pm - this is likely to only occur on "special" OMN
evenings.
10. Performers are responsible for the electrical safety of
any equipment brought into the centre. HCC power sockets are protected by 30mA
RCDs. Any equipment tripping the supply will not be reconnected.
11.
Feedback. We encourage feedback from performers and audience members; this is
normally best done via email
after a OMN - followed up if needed. We discourage those who feedback
comments through third party website, as it does not easily lead to a
resolution or improvement. We encourage Feedback which may be:
Complementary - There is a fair bit of work to
maintain the website, advertising and display posters for OMN, as well as get
all the equipment out, set up, sound check and putting it all away again. As
such, any positive feedback is always much appreciated - but sadly is normally
the form least forthcoming. Follow up unlikely - though anonymous comments may
appear here.
Comments (or Suggestions) - Any suggestions on
advertising, equipment, layout, frequency of the OMN is always welcome and will
be considered. Follow up queries may come back.
Complaints - If you were unhappy about something
then do get in touch - normally by email after an event. This can also be about
anything - order of play, slot allocation, sound levels, etc. Follow up
discussion and queries are likely to come back.
We will normally respond to third party Feedback (to the
third party source), but discourage this form of feedback, and would much
prefer direct feedback to the organisers - after an event (see rules 3 and
4).
12. Participation is also subject to compliance with the Community
Centre General Rules (also available on the Centre website) and aspects of the
Terms and Conditions of Use/Hire.
13. The currently enforced Rules (or
Terms and Conditions) for participation in OMN will be displayed here, and
revised and amended as needed by the organiser. If anything is not clear, then
please feed this back to us.
