Just catching up.
January 21st, 2019 at Teavolve with Chuck the Madd Ox.
January 21st was a great night at Teavolve with a couple of new faces – like this new-to-Baltimore artist Trenton who has moved here from Albuquerque, NM to further his non-profit Full Battle Rattle’s goals : rehabilitating veterans by helping them learn to play instruments. 
Annie Cassidy and one of my favourite open mic hosts, Alex Alexander, advertising for their Broken Hearts Club open mic. Dave Godbey. A rare visit from Joe Isaacs. It’s all the do-gooders out tonight! His Music Matters series raises money for local homeless shelters. Ha – Josh Brayden – last seen at the Jahva House open mics circa 2000? Chuck the Madd Ox was our featured artist tonight. Damian. Bill. Andrea. Dave Benham rounding out the night. I swear I’m not just about to sneeze – pics of me and Kristen courtesy of Bill Chrapcynski.
January 22nd, 2019 at the Depot Open Mic with Meg Bowen!
I went to a new-to-me open mic with a decidedly different flavour to support my friend Meg Bowen’s featured artist. Unbeknownst to me there was also a competition element, which I just found out I won. Huzzah!
My write-up of the night goes something like this:
I really enjoyed coming out to this little bar on Charles Street and playing my heart out. Without any of the content restrictions that my open mics generally have, a larger physical stage space and a backline of drumkit, bass and guitar (not just the amps, but the instruments too – players if-needed to boot) it’s a lot of fun to just let fly here. Good FLEXIBLE sound, they encourage the jam but mild-mannered host Eli keeps things rolling at a pretty good clip (technically 10 minute slots but mostly self-enforced). There are a couple of contests and things built-in to this night (winners get studio time and an opportunity to play a showcase night). My experience is that the list gets pretty packed, so get there early, but maybe signup after slot 9 or 10 for when the crowd thickens up.
A new-to-me voice : Morgan Coleman has a Bjork-esque quality to her voice, powerful with just the right amount of grit. Meg Bowen performing at the Depot. Meg Bowen with Tim Kaye on drums. Signup on the list and vote for your favourite artist in Boba Fett’s head! Haven’t seen Bryan Dunaway in a long time! Short mic stand = extra rock stance. Joseph DeSimone. An interesting looping electronica performer named Dylan. The Baltimore art scene is often not confined to the galleries.
.. Speaking of not confining art to the galleries…. Baltimore’s Graffiti Alley has long been a staple of the North Avenue visual, but now that the Motor House’s backdoor opens into it, the whole thing is better lit and a little more curated (for better or for worse) becoming an outdoor gallery space in its own right.
