Roslindale Open Mike
Roslindale Open Mike begins its sixth year!
at the Roslindale Congregational Church (www.roscon.org)
25 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA
Click here for directions!
THE BUZZ...
Neal recently presented the commemorative ROM plaque to Mayor Menino.
“The willingness of ROM to offer musical events specifically to assist this church in the raising of much-needed funds is a surprising step of generosity that is deeply appreciated” –Rev. Branwen L. Cook, Roslindale Congregational Church
"ROM is 'mighty'" --David Roth
“It was so moving to hear such heartfelt, and lovely music from everyone, and to feel the warm, exciting, inspiring atmosphere that pervades each corner of that lovely room and church. Thank you so very much for running such a wonderful open mike. It means the world to us. I realize you have taken the best aspects of many beloved open mikes and incorporated them into one sweet venue. Mil gracias, mis amigos.” –Ana-Eder Mulhane, beloved host of the former Java Jo’s Open Mike
"I love the warmth at ROM and have benefited immensely from the ROM community that includes King Yee who works hard helping others with videos and beyond!"--David Jackson
"It's no wonder that ROM is so successful given the care and feeding you apply to it. Everyone seemed to be REALLY listening and really enjoying it." --Jon McAuliffe
"Thank you folks so much for all your contributions to the music community through the ROM. I really enjoyed featuring, and think you folks have done a wonderful job living up to "Ana's" example of hosting a warm and welcoming open mike. I know I speak for all the performers when I say "thank you so much" for providing a space to perform and hear others - you folks are doing great work, and I am grateful that I got a chance to be a part of it." --Chris Thompson
"The Roslindale Open Mic is one of the most well known and well attended open mics in the Boston area. It was our honor to be invited to perform as the feature act for their third anniversary bash on January 10th. We had a great time and tried some new music. The evening was filled with talented musicians and amazing performances. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSLINDALE OPEN MIC!" -- Guys and Dahl
"What a fantastic feeling of community - something we need in these times, and always. You have something very wonderful happening"--Ellen Schmidt, open mike host, performance producer, and singer-songwriter
"The best open mic in all of Boston."--Rob Norberg
"It's an ideal venue...spacious, comfortable, and without competition to be heard from ice cream blenders or other small appliances"--Jim Taff
"The atmosphere created in that lovely church hall is very special"
--Ana Eder-Mulhane, host of the Java Jo's open mike
"You do a great job. Keep up the good work"
--Bill Sabat
NOTE: Unfortunately the adjacent F. J. Higgins Funeral Home has closed and we expect that at some point the parking lot won't be available to us. If the former Higgins lot is open, park there at your own risk. If you can't find on-street parking there is ample free lighted parking in the public lot on Tafthill Terrace, which is less than a 5 minute walk from ROM across Roslindale Square.
The next Roslindale Open Mike is Monday, 3/10/14 and our feature will be:
Craig Sonnenfeld (www.craigsonnenfeld.com).
Craig Sonnenfeld is a Boston based singer-songwriter-guitarist who originally hails from Atlantic City, New Jersey. He studied folk and blues guitar in his teenage years with Philadelphia Jerry Ricks who was playing at the time with such folk luminaries as Mississippi John Hurt, Son House and Skip James. Although he was always listening to music, Craig pursued other interests and careers after college. He stopped playing guitar and performing for over two decades while being a ‘responsible adult’ with a career in the high-tech field (in which he still works) and having a family in the Boston area.
Craig started playing again in recent years at the urging of old associates with whom he had reconnected and he began writing and performing at several venues in the greater Boston area. He has also performed in 2005 at the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University and at the Ocean City New Jersey Folk Festival (where Tom Rush headlined). Craig has also opened twice in concert for blues greats Paul Rishell and Annie Raines and is a current guitar student of Mr. Rishell. An article in the January 2006 issue of Insite Boston magazine states, “…his style, writing, and story are sure to propel him to prominence in the New England folk scene’. The five cd’s that Craig has recorded to date have been played on several radio stations in the U.S. and abroad including WGBH Boston’s Folk program and his music is featured regularly on Jim Albertson’s ‘Down Jersey Jim’ show on WVLT in southern New Jersey.
Encouraged by the response to his music, Craig has been pleased to be part of the acoustic music scene and has been enjoying performing and recording.
His cd’s are available at www.cdfreedom.com and www.cdbaby.com and online at Itunes and Amazon.com. See www.craigsonnenfeld.com for more information about this artist.
Craig Sonnenfeld is a Boston based singer-songwriter-guitarist who originally hails from Atlantic City, New Jersey. He studied folk and blues guitar in his teenage years with Philadelphia Jerry Ricks who was playing at the time with such folk luminaries as Mississippi John Hurt, Son House and Skip James. Although he was always listening to music, Craig pursued other interests and careers after college. He stopped playing guitar and performing for over two decades while being a ‘responsible adult’ with a career in the high-tech field (in which he still works) and having a family in the Boston area.
Craig started playing again in recent years at the urging of old associates with whom he had reconnected and he began writing and performing at several venues in the greater Boston area. He has also performed in 2005 at the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University and at the Ocean City New Jersey Folk Festival (where Tom Rush headlined). Craig has also opened twice in concert for blues greats Paul Rishell and Annie Raines and is a current guitar student of Mr. Rishell. An article in the January 2006 issue of Insite Boston magazine states, “…his style, writing, and story are sure to propel him to prominence in the New England folk scene’. The five cd’s that Craig has recorded to date have been played on several radio stations in the U.S. and abroad including WGBH Boston’s Folk program and his music is featured regularly on Jim Albertson’s ‘Down Jersey Jim’ show on WVLT in southern New Jersey.
Encouraged by the response to his music, Craig has been pleased to be part of the acoustic music scene and has been enjoying performing and recording.
His cd’s are available at www.cdfreedom.com and www.cdbaby.com and online at Itunes and Amazon.com. See www.craigsonnenfeld.com for more information about this artist.
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Thank yous go out to the Roslindale Congregational Church, the F. J. Higgins Funeral Home, Sam of the GreaterBostonHomeTeam.com, Primavera Restaurant Roslindale, Panera Bread West Roxbury, Cecelia Dahl, George Cronin, Chip Canty, Sue Burgess, Gerry Ryan, Charlie Ortolani, Melissa Fleming, Junko Ogawa, Tom Irving, King Yee, David Jackson, Branson Bofat, Steve Rapson, Tom Smith, Ed Banatt, Darwin MacDonald, Ken Porter, Cheryl Perreault, Jimmy Dorr, Peter Neuendorffer, Chief Noda, Chris Lee, Kathryn Howell, Roberto Mighty, Jim Palana, Suzanne Mrozak, Brian Cartwright, Ben Chase, Ariella Montanez, Lorraine and Bennett Hammond, and Barry Spiro for their time and generous donations to the church and ROM.
THE REGULAR DETAILS:
The Roslindale Open Mike (ROM) is held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month (and occasionally fifth Mondays) at the Roslindale Congregational Church, 25 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131. This is diagonally across from the Post Office near Roslindale Square.
NOTE: Unfortunately the adjacent F. J. Higgins Funeral Home has closed so it is unlikely that we will be able to use the parking lot much longer.
All are Welcome!! No Cover!!
THE RULES: Roslindale Open Mike (ROM) uses a random draw of names to set the order of performers. Our goal is to be fair, equitable, and consistent. The names are randomly drawn from the basket of names at 6:40 PM. As a courtesy to people coming from work or from a distance, early signups are accepted by Neal via email only at neal@roslindaleopenmike.org up until noon of the ROM Monday. Anyone arriving after the names are being drawn are added to the end of the list in the order of arrival. People with special needs (as defined by ROM) or who have indicated that they will be arriving late will be accommodated if possible. First timers are given their choice of a slot. After the performance order has been drawn, any swaps for an earlier or later slot may be arranged between the people requesting the swap, but only Neal, or his designee, will change the performance order on the board. Anyone who misses their slot due to late arrival will be accommodated at some point after they arrive.
Everyone will get to play one song (or 5 minutes) and if we finish the first round before 10:30 willing participates may get a second song. This should allow everyone to perform before it gets too late, with an ending time goal of 10:30 PM
Everyone is requested to be tuned up and ready to go when it is their turn and to keep song introductions brief. Everyone is requested to maintain a listening room atmosphere and is encouraged to be courteous and respectful of all performers.