This post was contributed by TNG reader Jeremy.

Open mic will be held at The Social in Ybor Monday nights.

The time has finally come for me to host an open mic again. For three years, I hosted the open mic at a coffee shop, but in the end I got burnt out. I quit with an hour’s notice. Something hit me and I knew I could never go back. And I didn’t.

Truth be told, the following two weeks I cried during the hours I knew my open mic was continuing without me. I had to grow and I could not have done everything I’ve done since then had I stayed doing my open mic.

Four years have gone by, and I’ve always toyed with doing another open mic. Here and there it almost happened, but now the time has finally come to do it again.

This time it will be the same, but different.

How will it be the same? I will still encourage people to think outside the box. I am not looking ONLY for acoustic acts and poetry (which is welcome of course). Wanna show us your booty shake? Wanna have a cream corn wet t-shirt contest? Have some abstract performance art? We’re in. Anything goes.

What will be different? This time the open mic will be in Ybor, which is more central to the bay area. It will also be in a bar, so people will be able to choose between alcohol or coffee. And even more importantly, when open mic is over at 12:30 the night is NOT over. DJ LeahQ will be spinning along with anyone else who wants to bring their DJ stuff. Dance party USA. We encourage you to bring your CDS and Mp3s from home. I got frustrated through the years about how Tampa clubs and DJs often don’t play obscure requests, and they NEVER play local acts. Am I bitter about this?

Yes.

It’s bullshit and a disgrace, no disrespect to my friends who spin. I love you, I just don’t love that you don’t support my records. It’s hurtful. So local talent, we will play your dance records to dance to.

Sign up for the open mic is 9:30, first come first serve. I am doing 15 minute time slots, or three songs a person. At 12:30, even if everyone hasn’t played yet, we are going to switch over to DJ Leah Q. Sorry about your luck, but I want to enjoy myself and I won’t if I am hosting open mic all the way ‘til 1 am!

I hope everyone is as into this as I am. There’s some great talent in Tampa.

I hope all my established friends use this open mic to try out new material. Let’s give each other feedback. The emphasis is on art and creativity.

I’ve made a lot of friends along the way. We have rad sponsors for our night. Square One art is a key contributor to the Ybor art scene. Bentley Salon is at the forefront of the DIY state of mind. REAX magazine is an instrumental voice in the Florida music scene. TheNewGay.net is a national website promoting queer and queer-friendly thinking and events that are outside the box. OUTmusic is based in New York City but is a national organization for GLBT performers. I am happy to add this open mic to their national roster of events. I’d like to thank all of you for helping to promote this night and offering your support. What a diverse and wonderful bunch you are!

The official name for our night: ANTISOCIAL AT THE SOCIAL. Hope to see you on stage or in the audience. I am so proud to live in Tampa. This is the open mic I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.

This night is brought to you by Jeremy Gloff, Leah Q, and Mr P. Botti. There is a two dollar donation at the door. If you are poor come out anyway. We want you in our audience. We will let you in.

Open mic will be held at The Social in Ybor on Monday nights.