Pandora Scooter: Open Mic

 

FACEBOOK:  http://tinyurl.com/ydnu3rt

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/Out_of_the_Box

2010's OOTBs will held on the following 3rd Fridays:

Jan 15
Feb 19
Mar 19
Apr 16
May 21
Jun 18
Jul 16
Aug 20
Sept 17
Oct 15
Nov 19
Dec 17

(Check out deets below)

OUT OF THE BOX's 6th ANNIVERSARY!

OUT OF THE BOX is an open-mic for ALL TYPES OF PERFORMERS poets, singers, comedians, tragedians, musicians, jugglers, etc, etc, etc...

It's held on the THIRD FRIDAY of EVERY MONTH from 8:00 to about 10:30 pm at THE CAVE 19-21 South 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ directions from New Brunswick: take Route 27/Raritan Avenue *past* 2nd Avenue. Look for a Municipal Parking Lot on your right. Turn right into the parking lot. Park anywhere. The entrance to the Cave is along the side Parking Lot.

Admission: $5 - $10 (donation) / $3 - $5 for students

Light Gnosh and Low Octane Beverages Served Hosted by me and Stephen Jones

...how this works...doors open around 7:45 pm. folks come on by and sign up on the list as they arrive. every effort is made to make sure everyone who signs up will be given time up on the mic to share. priority is given to those who get there earlier, but if there's room, we'll fit everyone in, if possible. count on having around 6 minutes if there are lots of folks (15 or more), and up to 8 if there aren't. if you have a piece that is more than 6 minutes, check in with either Pandora or Stephen and we'll figure something out!

More info? Email me.

Directions/Info on the Pride Center --- call 732-846-2232 or click here.

Want to talk to a person? Call 732-860-VOXY. ..

 

...WHAT FOLKS SAY ABOUT OUT OF THE BOX...

"By the way, I have been raving about last night's OOTB open mic. It was really incredible. I've been to open mics in Va, NJ, and NYC and I think OOTB is the best of all. Not kidding. The vibe in the room is just magic. I feel like I am being hugged." - Jen, Summit, NJ (2/19/05)

"Thank you for a wonderful evening. I am filled with joy and appreciation as I reflect on that night! Passion- the room was lit with passion. My sincere thanks to all those bold, beautiful souls." - Anon. (4/05)

"It was my first time at OOTB last Friday and I loved it. The energy in the room was great and I plan to try to make it next month." - Anon. (3/05)

From OOTB feature ATHENA REICH: Performing at "Out of the Box" was one of those rare experiences where you are reminded precisely why you chose to become a performer in the first place. The place was packed. The audience was warm, and there was a great sense of community and openness. They really listened, were very present to my performance. Then, I stuck around to catch the open mic. I was reminded of my college days, when my friends and I developed our craft by performing gutsy raw material to supportive audiences. I loved it and can't wait to go back! --

Feb '06 - www.athenareich.com From OOTB Feature KATIE MCCABE: Performing at Out of the Box is as rewarding as it is entertaining. Not only was I warmly received by an impossibly supportive audience, I enjoyed watching the multitude of other talented locals share their work. I would go back in a heartbeat. Mar -05 Have you been to OOTB and want to add your thoughts?

Email pandora@pandorascooter.com to share 'em!

NOVEMBER 16th -- 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FEATURE: Olympia, WA's Electro Pop DIVA NICKYCLICK NickyClick is a producer, beat maker, video artist, songwriter and performance artist. "I'm On My Cell Phone" is her sophomore album out on Olympia, WA label Crunks Not Dead Records. The album is a mix of original catchy electro-pop dance music that you can truly move your body too. The songs not only have memorable hooks, but tell a diary like story of her life and experience as a queer femme and feminist. Having started out in the Olympia, wa queercore scene four years ago, NickyClick now resides in New Hampshire where she grew up. NickyClick has been compared to Peaches, Miranda July, Le tigre, and Sadie Benning. She has shared stages with Lady Soverign, ScreamClub, ESG, Tender Forever, Yo Majesty, Deadlee, Team Dresch, Michelle Tea, The Blow, The Gossip, Anna Oxygen and many more. She was named 2006 emerging artist of the year for her films and music by The Flaming film Festival. She helps run The collective independent label Crunks Not Dead. She has played prestigious festivals such as Homo a go go , Ladyfests nation wide, pride festivals nationwide, Estrojam, Mondo Homo in the Dirty south, and Peace Out East. Her Videos have played in theatres and festivals nationwide, such as The Berlin Queer Festival, Mania TV, and the GLBT Milan Film Festival. More info at www.nickyclick.com June 15th 2007 MOOSEJAW MULDOON!!!! No, she's not telling. if you can figure out the name (no cheating) she'll probably buy you a beverage of choice. Her songs, which range from tear-tinged wistful smiles to irreverently cheeky grins, amuse friends and therapists alike. Born a Jersey girl, mj has traveled and lived across the US, writing songs flavored by each locale. When asked why she left the haven of her Austin band to return to the Jersey shore, she shrugs "skeeball is in my blood". A member and trustee of the non-profit Red Bank Music Community, moosejaw keeps busy volunteering at RBMC sponsored events, and occasionally rocking out. While laid back about her gigging schedule, she would play just about anywhere if asked, including your living room or backyard. Pick up your homophone and call.... "Humorous insights into human nature, relationships, self-awareness and willful denial layered over earnest, powerful guitar work beg the question; is MJ the musical offspring of Fred Rogers and Grace Jones?" - Rob Clayton, Parks and Wildlife (myspace.com/parksandwildlife) "I like your song." - Eric Ginsberg, Red Bank Music Community (myspace.com/ericginsberg; redbankmusiccommunity.org) APRIL 20th 2007 NELL SANDERS: A One Woman Symphony! Nell Sanders plays Bass Trombone and Hand Percussion. She is currently a music teacher at Trenton Community Charter School, where she strives to develop her students’ appreciation of the diverse array of music that exists throughout the world. She began her musical career as a trombone player, at the age of 9, in elementary school. She attended Norfolk State University and became a member of the Spartan Legion Marching Band until 2001. She is also an alumna of the Cadets of Bergen County drum and bugle corps. Nell graduated in Fall, 2006, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education from Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Nell is currently a Community Artist Residency Training Series workshop facilitator and has coordinated a wide variety of music workshops and projects. Through her music she aspires to bring communities together and break stereotypes. For Nell Sanders, music is a means for breaking down personal and cultural barriers. “I believe that music crosses boundaries. My music brings together communities who don’t come together under other contexts, and allows them to find common ground to relate to one another.” Indeed, whether playing at political events or social gatherings, Nell’s performances never fail to convey her passion for equality. “If my music is able to reach someone and alter how they perceive existence, than I have succeeded in my creative efforts.” “The power to unite humanity and make peace rests within art forms that break stereotypes and brings diverse communities together.” MARCH 16th 2007 (cancelled due to SNOW and ICE) JAN 19th 2007 SAMANTHA BARROW - Motorcycle-Ridin' Philly Poet “Samantha Barrow will always stand out as one of the gutsiest and most provocative performers I’ve seen.” Jersey Beat Magazine “Sam Barrow is smart and sassy, empowering and brave. You can feel soul oozing out of each word.” Katz, Athens Boys Choir Samantha Barrow is a Philadelphia based poet, activist, educator, spoken word artist and producer. She first gained recognition locally and nationally when she embarked on a three-month, cross-country spoken word tour on her motorcycle. She was awarded a grant to fund that trip from the Leeway Foundation. This summer, Barrow will tour the U.S. on her bike again to celebrate the Grit and tender membrane, the full-length manuscript of poetry and tales from her first tour, published by Plan B Press. She was awarded another Leeway grant to fund this tour and to facilitate erotic poetry workshops with survivors of sexual abuse along the way. Those sessions will result in a chapbook of poems by survivors that will then be used by grass roots anti- violence and survivor support services for fundraising and educational purposes. more info at www.samanthabarrow.com DECEMBER 15th 2006 LotSix: a one person Multimedia Performance Art Rock Show LotSix is a Philadelphia based musician, songwriter, & performance artist who jokingly refers to her unique art as "multimedia self-karaoke rock": live singing to original prerecorded music with projected images and lyrics. LotSix treats audiences with smart, funny, queer-tinged, rock-opera'esque songs accompanied by visuals further conveying the many dimensions of her angsty wry humor. more at www.lotsix.info NOVEMBER 17th 2006 our FOURTH Anniversary!!!! Ron Morris at Brooklyn Pride 2006 Ron Morris learned at an early age that singing songs made the days a little sweeter and the dark times easier to understand... Raised in a household where country music reigned, he learned, perhaps subconciously, his first lessons in songwriting: keep it simple and with the story first. Ron is an artist who is true to himself, his music and his audience. After being featured national on public radio's "This Way Out," Sirius Satellite Radio, and numerous other local and regional radio programs, his audience is quickly growing. As soft as he is strong, wise as he is naive, Ron Morris offers a fresh point of view and a signature sound that is uplifting, honest and leaves the listener feeling s if they've just been let in on a really good secret. more at www.ronmorrismusic.com June 16th, 2006 NEW YORK CITY's POETIC POWERHOUSE Elliot Torres Elliot Torres was named one of the Top 10 Gay Latinos of 2004 by Miami based Ambiente Magazine. www.elliottorres.com May 19, 2006 dr. madelyn hatter chicago-based performance poet/slam survivor www.madelynhatter.com April 21, 2006 Cleveland Music Award's 2004 Best Singer/Songwriter ANNE E. DECHANT APRIL 21st: ANNE E. DECHANT www.anneedechant.com March 17th 2006 Philadelphia's cello jazz blues woman MONICA MCINTYRE www.monicamcintyre.com photo credit: H. Saleh Monica McIntyre is a cellist, vocalist, and lyricist who started playing the cello at the age of 7. Monica, originally from Hyattsville, MD, studied classical cello for 11 years. After graduating from the College of Design Arts at Drexel University, she returned to her first love music and released her debut album Blusolaz in October 2003. Monica has performed at numerous events throughout the country, most notably: The Black Women's Art Festival™, The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Soul Sista's Jukejoint™ and The 215 Festival. In 2004, she was featured in Philadelphia's BInformed Magazine and City Paper. Bars of Gold, is Monica's newest single released in August 2005 from her forth coming album, Abuse. (more info www.monicamcintyre.com)

OOTB's 2nd Anniversary!!!

Hey OOTB-ers...

Well, Tday is upon us soon and before we all get Trytophan'd out, I thought I'd get this report out to y'all...

The love is always in the room at OOTB, but this month there was something else, too --- there was some little extra oomph of some kind, be it because of the anniversary and the recent political events.... whatever the reason, the air sparkled a little more last Friday night than it had in previous months...

There to create and take in sparkles - including the one in her eye! - was Marilynn, 70+ years young and falling in love --- she did a few lovely poems and sang a few bars of "I'm just a girl who can't say no...." Then OOTB veteran Les took the mic and shared two beautiful, self-described 'relationship' poems, Asmina rocked the mic next with a firey poem about the (mis)education experience in this country and then she totally laid out such a complement by sharing that whenever she writes a new piece, she always shares it first at OOTB! And then she launched into a new piece she had just penned called (if I have it right) Was It Ever Simple... moving and explosive... Ziggy showed up for a second OOTB in a row to share some his poetry about hypocrisy and trying to figure out where the hell we fit into the machine! His Bad Poem #17:We Are Nothing, is not to be missed! Another OOTB familiar Ken shared his seering story criticizing elitism called Flying the Friendly Skies, OOTB first timer Noel rocked out a reading of Justin Chin's piece Lick My Butt --- to both playful grunts and supportive calls from the listeners, Donna shared her very honest and life-affirming observations from a recent funeral she attended that, surprisingly enough, wasn't mournful enough! :-), open-mic hostess and former cubicle-user Jen read her honest and scathingly loving open letter to Henry Miller, the man who invented the cubicle, with depth and aplomb Liz read two beautiful poems of Miriam Axel-Lute's dealing with honesty in life, next up it was Ivan's ONE YEAR anniversary of first coming to OOTB and he honored it by spinning a lovely, fantastical, tale and fame and fortune and heartbreak that had folks wondering if he really graduated from Harvard B-School and made nearly 100K in the 80s and the turned to the church to become a monk... lovely!... OOTB three-timer Dianna got really raw and beautiful and vulnerable sharing a personal piece she wrote to help her deal with feelings of neglect and abandonment in her family ... and then... Stephen, Mac and I got up and shared two Ani covers: Out of Range and Back Back Back... And I opened with One Truth and shared my hot-off-the-presses, "I"m mad as hell and I don't know what the hell to do about it!" piece in response to 11/2 called 48 Million Things to Do. (Now that I'm thinking about it, it really shoudl be 52 million things to do, shouldn't it?)...



To boot: we had RED, WHITE and BLUE play dough (home made at my house!) for folks to use and (as I put it) "Feel as though we were helping to SHAPE and MOLD this country of ours!" A few fun sculptures ensued. I think the play dough will be recurring for at least the next few months.



In the middle of this fiesta, LYNN ROSENTHAL totally inspired and moved folks with her beatuifully lyrical songs and her sweet, penetrating voice... It was an honor to have her at OOTB and it was so exciting to help her celebrate her birthday month with a gig at OOTB!



Fun and Life and Celebration and Support and Community were all present last Friday. Thanks to everyone who makes this happen every month. Thanks for two years -- and counting!

Peace,
Pandora