Ending after three years, Paul Alexander’s "Crowin at the Creek" open mic in Long Island City was a great place to come try out new material, meet fellow artists, or just have a drink with old friends. Teeming with musicians, poets, comedians, and various and assorted other performance artists, and of course, "hangers-on," this Tuesday night mecca offered great opportunities for performers and spectators alike. Located only one stop on the 7 train from Grand Central Station, many artists from across the five boroughs have come to the Creek and the Cave for its acclaimed tex-mex menu and weekly drink specials, but they kept coming back to enjoy the warm and welcoming weekly wonder which was the Tuesday night "Crowin at the Creek" open mic.
Paul Alexander’s
"Crowin at the Creek" - Open Mic
Tuesdays @ the Creek and the Cave in L.I.C.
(Sign-Up at 7:30 pm)
The "Curtian Call" was Tuesday March 18, 2008 -- the open mic’s three year anniversary
(event sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon)
Take the Queens bound 7 train to Vernon/Jackson (one stop from Grand Central). Exit onto Jackson Ave., and walk one block north to 10-93 Jackson Ave. (49th Ave.)
Most weeks every performer played two songs or eight minutes.
Paul Alexander is the host, but it’s YOUR open mic!
"Everybody’s been really good…this is a really good open mic…this is the BEST open mic I’ve ever been to."
-Carl Creighton
"This is one of the best open mics I’ve been to."
-Taylor Sorensen (Nashville Singer/Songwriter)
"This place (The Creek and the Cave) is a hidden gem at the foot of the Pulaski Bridge — great room, a really nice guy (Paul Alexander) runs music there (at the Creek), and they’ve got awesome Mexican food!"
-Alice Bierhorst (New York Singer/Songwriter)
"You (Paul Alexander) do a wonderful job of giving props to everyone at your open mic...it’s really fun!"
-Chel O’Reilly (New York Singer/Songwriter)
"If you are looking for a good open mic place, I strongly recommend Paul Alexander’s open mic. He is a good singer/songwriter and a good MC."
-Setsuo Itoh (New York Singer/Songwriter)
Crowin' at the Creek Open Mic's Friend Space (Top 10)
What a great send off for the open mike! So many great talented people came down that night to say farewell to this venue. I'm glad that I came. Thanks Paul for giving us such a great supportive place to come play and get our shit together every week! All the best, Don
I had a fun time last night. It was great to see everyone from the past years. I've made some great friends at the Creek . Thank you Paul and all for letting me share my songs with you. It was sad too see this open mic go, but I guess all things must pass. ...........Thomas Patrick Maguire
It’s been a tough decision to make, and I will certainly miss seeing all of you every week, but Tuesday March 18th will be both the third anniversary of the “Crowin’ at the Creek” open mic and it’s final night.
I can’t believe it’s been so long, and I can’t believe it’s over, but on the 18th we’ll kick things off with sign-up at 7 pm. The Creek and the Cave have promised to supply food and cheep beers, but I hope a lot of you who haven’t been out in awhile will stop by to sing a few songs and say goodbye.
For any of you who won’t be able to make it out for last call, thank you for coming to share your songs and support for all of these years. I have learned so much form all of you and feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know you all over the years.
I’d especially like to thank Brian Speaker, Greg Smith, and Steven Mounier for helping run the night when I’ve been away.
Three Years, Cheep Beers! Come one, Come all… To the “Crowin’ at the Creek” curtain call! Tuesday March 18, 2008 (sign-up at 7:00 pm)
The open mic review I wrote is published online (Scroll down home page for Creek, Cave, Crooners): http://www.licmagazine.com/
Creek, Cave, Crooners
Paul Alexander's Crowin' at the Creek open-mic night boasts a friendly atmosphere that's hard to find in most cities, let alone NYC. On Tuesday nights at 8:00pm The Creek and the Cave invites Long Island City residents to invade their roomy, accommodating space filled with cushioned seats, fluffy couches, and homey end tables and enjoy the restaurant upstairs and bar below street level. Rest assured, the Creek uses no short, stubby glasses; these are stand-tall, respectable cocktails that Heather—our favorite bartender—knows how to mix just right. Most of the folks in attendance are performers: musicians, lefties, and poets alike, including regulars like Best Blanket, or Jon Berger, and of course Paul, who recounts that even after two years, "sometimes things just work out despite everything you've planned."
Hope to see you at my show at The Parkside Lounge this Saturday (8/11/07) at 10 pm. I'll be playing with the band, and Rachel Epp will be having her EP release party after our show. PA
I know it's hard to believe, but the "Crowin' at the Creek" open mic is about to turn 2! So, come celebrate our second anniversary Tuesday March 20th with an open mic and then some!
PA
For all you funny folk out there, the Creek and the Cave will soon be adding another open stage every other Wed. night for comedians. Hope to see some of you there.
PA
Singer/Songwriter Ian Sklar is Playing tonight. That's me! I know I'm not going to miss it. It starts at 9PM and last til about 11PM
So C'mon out! It will be good to see you..
Sorry guys, no open mic this Tuesday, but next week we should be back up in the newly renovated theater. Tom Drake will also be podcasting everyone who performs on the 26th. So, I hate to miss you this week, but hope to see you 9/26.
PA
It's been too long, I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the open mic again this Tuesday. Thanks for taking the helm while I was gone Brian Speaker...you rock!
dudes and dudettes! check out the open mic at the Creek this coming tuesday July 25th. in celebration of the earths orbit around the sun. its gonna be a spin!
