The Antique Sandwich Company

Last night I made the trip north to Tacoma to attend the open mic at the Antique Sandwich Company. I left a little early because I had never been there before and I didn’t know if I would have trouble finding the place. I didn’t mind the long drive (about an hour) because it was 90 degrees out yesterday and my car, of course, has air conditioning.

I found the place pretty easily. It is in the northern part of Tacoma just south of Point Defiance park. It is yet another hippie type shop here in the northwest and suited me just fine. I was early, so I ordered a sandwich (after all it is a sandwich shop and I figured I’d better) and sat to enjoy the ambience. The place had merchandise from Traditions Fair Trade in Olympia for sale and interesting international pieces of art strewn about. I felt quite at home.

My sandwich came, I ordered a mushroom and cheese and was pleasantly surprised. I expected, for some reason, a cold sandwich but it came to the table nice and warm with melty cheese, mushrooms, sprouts, tomatoes and a couple other tasty veggies. It reminded me that, yes, I could become a vegetarian again.

I finished my meal and watched as a gentleman began to set up the stage (he first had to remove all the toys that were there for kids that came in during the day). When he was somewhat settled in his preparation, I approached him and told him that I was a first-timer and asked him what the etiquette was. He informed me that he was the MC/announcer and that the show was broadcast live on a local PBS radio station (which I already knew), that tonight everyone would get two songs (about eight minutes) and directed me to the table where folks sign up.

Most open mic nights are a “first come, first serve” system. This one was not. I filled out the card that I was given and told that the order was set by the MC/announcer guy. After filling out my card, I sat and waited for a while until the MC/announcer guy finished making the order and placed his clip-board out on the table so that folks could find themselves in the order. I went over and checked the list; I was number 19. Hmmm... let me see... starts at seven... eight minutes each... nine times eight is seventy-two plus ten times eight, eighty... 152 minutes... divide by 60... two hours and thirty-two minutes... Shit. So much for an early evening.

I listened through some good performers and some not so good performers. One guy sang a song about D.B. Cooper which arguably has the worst lyrics ever written. I also made an observation about my musical history. When I was a young adult my angst came out in Rock & Roll, in my thirties it was the blues, now that I am middle aged it is folk music. I made this observation because the performers on the stage were showing this same tendancy. Interesting.

When it was my turn, I quickly got on stage and played my songs. First I played Even Memories are Gone and then Leaves. The linked songs are from a live show with Eric Miller accompanying me. The set went very well. When I was finished a couple of folks came up to me and said that next time I’ll probably get an earlier spot so that more people can hear me (the place had thinned out some in the two and a half hours I waited to go on). Overall it was a pleasant experience that I will probably repeat.