Photo: “YOYO” by Pat Castaldo is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / Desaturated from original
By Daniel Mootz
As Fall begins and the school year starts back up, downtown Olympia offers a number of unique venues for creative and artistic expression. From bars to dispensaries, coffee shops to street corners, people gather not only to hang out and catch a few bands, but also to participate in a simple, yet jovial culture of amateur performance. In the evening, singers, poets, and musicians come out to play, filling the air with classic karaoke and a diverse blend of open-mic entertainment.
Le Voyeur, on 4th Street, hosts a bi-weekly “Voyeuroke,” every other Monday, as well as a comedy (Vomity) open-mic on Wednesdays. The Green Lady on Pacific Avenue in East Olympia holds a weekly open-mic on Wednesdays, and The Oly Underground has one every Tuesday, with Thursdays set aside for karaoke. New Traditions Cafe on 5th and Water hosts the Olympia Poetry Network and open-mic every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. In the spirit of bringing the voice of Evergreen down to Olympia, the following is a glimpse of just a few of the many places to meet, share, and sing with others by the Sound.
Le Voyeur (aka the Voyeur) is a “chill watering hole” with vegan-friendly menu items and an eclectic mix of performing artists, community events, and off-beat aesthetics. The space itself is long and narrow, winding its way back to a humble showroom with a stage and punk-house vibe. However, every Wednesday at 9 p.m., big, cushioned benches are set up for a relaxed, yet rollicking set of stand-up comedy.
“It’s an institution,” says Amanda Biddle, who has been hosting Vomity for the past two months or so. “People from out of town come to it. This is our 253rd show, I think,” she said. Anyone can sign up for a spot on the lineup, while “preference is given to women and People of Color.” Likewise, almost anything is “game” on stage, with jokes ranging from the mundane to the ridiculous to the downright offensive. But the atmosphere is upbeat, and cheery, and the uncontrollable giggles (and guffaws) from the audience are infectious. Vomity is all ages until 10 p.m. so if you are under 21 and have some humor to hash out, be sure to get there early.
Oly Underground is a tried and true establishment, offering pool, a full bar, and happy hour food. More importantly, however, is its cozy side room used for shows and entertainment. There is a friendly atmosphere and laid-back sense of inclusion that makes this a great place to come and perform. There are a number of regulars who show up, and between them exists a sort of musical family. Many who attend the Tuesday open-mic are on the older side, and the prevailing theme, or genre, is country, folk, and Americana. However, between eight and 10 p.m. the bar is open to all ages, and there are no content requirements. Scott Lesman runs the event and records it all on his iPad. Sets are roughly ten10 minutes long, and the talent is low-key, intimate, and spunky. Furthermore, the folks who show up are not only impassioned about music, they are also inspired by each other, their world, and their power as artists to impact culture. Joeski Sea, a local singer-songwriter, makes moving ballads about the humanitarian crisis on the southern border. He sings in English and Spanish, and calls out Donald Trump and his policies by name, decrying the “cruelty” of the American State.
“It would be good to see more and more audiences rising up and talking about what’s going on,” he said. The open-mic scene, and Oly Underground in particular, is “full of surprises,” he explained, and is the kind of place where “music CAN change the world.” He’s right—when a musician, or artist of any stripe, invokes social issues, they also evoke political identity, and reflection, among their audience.
In this way, New Traditions Cafe and Fair Trade Gallery is a thriving enclave of social and environmentally conscious food, folk art, and community gatherings. The Olympia Poetry Network holds a monthly open-mic for spoken-word poetry, followed by selected readings from a featured artist. The event has been going on for close to 30 years now, and while the crowd tends to be more mature they are also emphatically welcoming to newcomers. Chris Dahl, who read a vivid piece about finding nature in a garden, talked about how “sometimes young people come [to the open-mic] to try out new things in front of an audience.”
“I’ve seen slam poets perform here,” she said, “and one time there was a person who used photographs, and computer images, as part of their presentation.”
Both experienced and inexperienced writers are encouraged to get involved. Suzanne Simons, a poetry (and journalism) professor at Evergreen, takes her class here on occasion for the positive exposure. “We would like to have more young people participate,” she agreed.
“It’s the best open-mic in town,” Dahl offered, “there’s a real variety of themes, poems, and voices.” The setting is quaint, and colorful, as one-by-one readers deliver the beauty of their ideas.
The Green Lady East is a bit of a hike across town, but it’s definitely worth the trip. Aside from a large selection of herb and CBD products, the shop contains a coffee bar stocked with beer and infused drinks, and the Tacos 2 Hermanos food truck is usually serving meals outside. In the back of the building is a spacious room with comfortable seating, a small stage, and a nice high ceiling. If you’re looking for a cool, relaxed spot to try out some material, this is a great choice. The acoustics are deep and resonant, and the people are fun and engaging.
Whether you sing or write, create art or play music, Olympia’s nightlife is a fun and inviting place for students (and townsfolk) to get together to explore, perform, express themselves, improve their craft, and mingle with like minds.
