Apologies to those who just received the ilyAIMY mailing list in addition to this... they ARE two separate things, but apparently my new mailing list software isn't... as clever... as I thought.... bear with me!

Thanks so much for desiring to be in-the-know about my open mics. I'm a believer in these things - without open mics I'd never have met most of my band (ilyAIMY) and many of our friends and fans across the country would never have crossed paths. It's a good way to get used to an audience, meet new people, get to know a new town and... frankly... where else is hip hop going to cross paths with ukulele-playing social activism, looping kalimba players with guitar-slinging singer/songwriters... where else, in short, would you ever get the story about that one time when someone used "2 pieces or 10 minutes, whichever's shorter" as an opportunity to make ice cream!

This month I have a brand new open mic, supported by House of Musical Traditions. Please welcome El Golfo to the rob's open mics family on Wednesday nights in Silver Spring!

At the moment, all of rob's open mics share the following : 2 pieces or 10 minutes, whichever's shorter! Family-friendly, no amps or drumkits. Videos and recordings of the night are posted a couple of days after the night at youtube.com/robsopenmics and archived there for a month or so. The night is FREE but we encourage you to support the venue (dinner!) and our featured artists (we pass the hat during their performance).

Teavolve Cafe & Lounge
1401 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, MD | Signup from 6-7, performances from 7-10pm

Street parking (though most meters north and west of the venue shut off at 6pm, read the signs - and there's a cheap garage 2 blocks north at 501 S Eden St, Baltimore, MD 21230 that's $4 for the evening), American fare, great tea-based sangrias and... of course... tea!

El Golfo Restaurant
8739 Flower Ave., Silver Spring, MD - Signup at 6.30pm, performances from 7.30pm 

Lot parking, "Pan-Latin" and Mexican restaurant.

Wed 1/8 - El Golfo Open Mic #1 w Djangolaya!
8739 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901 | 6.30pm signup / 7.30pm performances
2 pieces, 10 minutes, whichever's shorter, no amps or drumkits, family friendly. The night will be free but we ask you to support the venue - (which is easy because they've got great food) and support our featured artist!

TONIGHT'S featured artist shall be Djangolaya! "Djangolaya is a group of musicians in the DC Metro Area celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and gypsy jazz. We’re an acoustic group with a European flair. You’re likely to hear a wide range of music from swing to bossa nova to tango and more."

It's a great space, and the owner's really excited to open her stage to our amazing local (and not-so-local) music and arts community. Please come out and help keep us warm on a cold, cold night!

Wed 1/15 - El Golfo Open Mic pt II w Annette Wasilik!
8739 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901 | 6.30pm signup / 7.30pm performances
With featured artist Annette Wasilik. "Annette is a breath of fresh air – an extraordinary voice along with exemplary songwriting and arrangements, representing a remarkably broad range of sounds and genres, ranging from pure original to acoustic folk to blues to jazz and more.  Truly amazing.  Annette manages to sound completely unique, but at the same time she conjures up wonderful memories of such luminaries as Sandy Denny, Natalie Merchant, Maura O’Connell, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, and Delores Keane. Spread the good news and don’t miss your next chance to hear Annette perform live! P.S. LOVE her back-up band too!”  --Busy Graham

Wed 1/22 - El Golfo Open Mic pt III w Mike P Ryan!
8739 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901 | 6.30pm signup / 7.30pm performances
"Born and raised in central Oklahoma, Mike P. Ryan draws on his humble roots and uses his keen eye for detail to craft heartfelt songs about the struggles and triumphs of everyday life. Mike’s smooth, clear vocal style is regularly compared to classic Singer/Songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne while his evocative lyrics reflect the influences of musical wordsmiths like Robert Earl Keen, Richard Shindell, and Jeffrey Foucault."

Wed 1/29 - El Golfo Open Mic IV w Emma G!
8739 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901 | 6.30pm signup / 7.30pm performances
"Unapologetically outspoken, flying her freak flag, and always smiling, Washingtonian Magazine dubbed Emma G as one of the “Best of DC”. One Love Massive describes her as “charismatic”, and ANR Factory describes her voice as "poignant and beautiful” with “astounding bravery to speak up” on issues that matter to her."

Come play. Come listen. Do both. Thank you for supporting local (and not-so-local) music and arts!!!

-rob
ilyAIMY
www.ilyaimy.com