CLEARLAKE — The open mic at Java Express will be returning to Clearlake on Friday, March 14. As reported last year, ASCAP shut down the popular open mic venue in Clearlake unless they paid $388 per year for a license. There is no charge to attend and no alcohol sold at this event.
After reading about the demise of this community gathering spot, two DJs from KFOG radio in the Bay Area contacted Java Express”s owner and offered to pay the license fee for two years. A regular customer re-established contact with ASCAP and did the paperwork.
All that is left to do is pass the word that this second-Friday-of-the-month tradition continues. Show starts at 7 p.m. on 14624 Lakeshore Drive.
Open mic welcomes lightly-amplified musicians, poets, stand-up comedians and card tricks. Animal acts or kickboxing demos are discouraged. Karaoke singers will be beaten with guitar cases.
Sign up early or call 995-1065 to be on the program.
Dante DeAmicis is organizing monthly open mics at Java Express in Clearlake.
