Music Takes Center Stage at the Verde Valley Open Mic

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — There is something special about a room where people actually come to listen to music.

On Sunday, Sept. 6, musicians, singers, songwriters and music lovers from throughout the Verde Valley will gather once again for the Verde Valley Open Mic, held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Calavera Mexican Restaurant, 747 S. Main St. in Cottonwood.

Now celebrating five years of live gatherings — plus a year that continued online during the pandemic — the Verde Valley Open Mic has developed into something quite different from the typical open mic.

This isn’t a noisy bar where musicians compete with televisions, conversations and clattering dishes. Nor is it a free-for-all jam session.

Instead, organizers describe it as a true “listening room style” open mic, where the music — and the people brave enough to step onto the stage and share it — take center stage.

All ages, musical genres and skill levels are welcome.

That means the evening might bring an experienced singer-songwriter followed by someone making one of their first public appearances. Folk, rock, country, blues and other musical styles can all find a home here.

And that’s part of the fun.

You never quite know what you’re going to hear next.

Good sound and a room built for listening

One of the hallmarks of the Verde Valley Open Mic is its emphasis on sound quality.

Organizers have developed a reputation for providing a quality sound system with careful audio balancing, giving performers an opportunity to sound their best while allowing the audience to actually hear the nuances of each performance.

The event takes place in the party room on the left side of Calavera Mexican Restaurant, helping separate the performances from much of the normal restaurant and bar noise.

Audience members can settle in, order dinner and drinks from the full menu and bar with service provided in the room, and enjoy an evening of live music without having to shout over the table to hear it.

In other words, you can have your tacos and hear the guitar, too.

Bigger groups are now welcome

There is also good news for musicians who want to perform with friends.

The open mic has recently expanded its technical capabilities with a new mixer, allowing the sound system to accommodate larger groups with additional microphones and instruments.

Performers appearing with groups of three or more are asked to contact the organizers in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Keyboard players should also make arrangements beforehand and arrive before 4:15 p.m. for setup and a sound check. Only one keyboard can be accommodated during an evening, and other performers may be permitted to use it.

The performer list itself is first come, first served, so musicians hoping to take the stage should plan accordingly.

Performers generally get an opportunity to play four songs, with a possible fifth depending upon the number of musicians participating that evening.

Bringing a backing track? Plan ahead

Singers who perform with backing tracks are welcome, but the tracks must be played through the event’s sound system.

Performers should submit their tracks no later than the Friday before the open mic, along with song titles and the order in which they plan to perform them.

Those using YouTube karaoke tracks should select versions in the appropriate key and provide links to four or five selections as early as possible. Preparing the tracks requires additional work behind the scenes, so early submission helps keep the evening running smoothly.

Microphone hygiene is also taken into consideration, with single-use disposable microphone covers available. Performers who prefer to use their own microphones may bring them.

Come to perform — or just come to listen

You don’t have to carry a guitar, sing a note or know the difference between a diminished seventh and a plate of enchiladas to enjoy the Verde Valley Open Mic.

The audience is every bit as important as the performers.

Listening-room events depend upon people willing to sit back, pay attention and give musicians something increasingly precious in today’s noisy world: an audience that actually listens.

So come hungry.

Order some Mexican food. Have a drink. Find a comfortable seat. Applaud somebody you’ve never heard before. Maybe discover a local songwriter whose music stays with you long after the evening is over.

And musicians?

Bring your songs.

Whether you’ve been performing for decades or you’ve finally worked up the courage to step in front of a microphone for the first time, there’s a stage waiting for you.

Because sometimes the best live music isn’t found beneath a giant marquee.

Sometimes it’s waiting in a little room in Cottonwood, a few feet away, for someone to say:

“You’re up.” 🎸🎤🐾