9 Things I Have Learned From Starting and Hosting “The Best Open Mic Night In the World”
What ingredients go into our magical, musical, witches' brew every Thursday night at Punta Origen
I have a friend in Buenos Aires who runs “Folk You Monday,” who would likely dispute my claim—“Best Open Mic in the World.” Her Open Mic is truly fantastic.
But, after running an Open Mic Night in the La Punta Neighborhood of Puerto Escondido for over two and a half years now—I know our Open Mic is one of the very best in the world.
Every Thursday just before 8 pm, people from all over Puerto Escondido start making their way towards Open Mic night. The sand floor of Punta Origen first fills with 50, then 100, then sometimes just after 9 pm, 150–250 people fill in the last spaces between tables, chairs, and palm trees.
Most nights well over 20 musicians put their names on the list. To the last few, I usually try to say “The show ends at 11, but I’ll try my best to get you up!”
Now that it’s deeply entrenched in the weekly schedule of Puerto Escondido, I don’t have to do anything ahead of time to ensure this gathering of artists and music lovers takes place. It now happens the same way that high tide happens. It’s a part of the natural…
