Champagne Jam open mic nights are on every Monday and Tuesday nights from 7.30 - 10.30pm at Dundas Sports Club - 9 Elder rd - but each night with quite different formats. Tuesdays are pre-booked and planned and Mondays are the typical just come on the night and play. High end PA, boutique amplifiers. Electric, bass, and acoustic guitars, mostly run wirelessly. FX boards, drum kit, keyboard and per
cussion. Four wireless mic setups, practically everything anyone could require. The gear and guitars are our best, the stuff we gig with. Anyone can of course bring their own guitars. The Tuesday nights are very much pre-planned. People can independently organise their own crews and do what ever they want, but there are a lot of singers/musicians that want people to play/sing their song choices. So a system has evolved whereby the singers etc Messenger me (Graeme Keavney) their song choices, artist, version, key etc. I compile the list of songs and post them “up for grabs” on the CJ and CJ Group page. Then whoever wants to play on any given song lets me know what parts they want, whether it be playing guitar, bass, keys, drums or just want to do bv’s, etc. Whatever parts are not “grabbed" are filled by the house band.We have easy to follow charts for practically every song to be played so there is no need to know or learn each song thoroughly - easy to keep an eye on the chart for anything uncertain. That way we manage to keep arrangements organised, largely avoid train-wrecks. Although they’re half the fun too anyway. The house band, well, we’re not maestros but are a willing bunch and we’ve struggled through a broad range of material you couldn’t easily manage off the cuff at your typical jam night. We have played just about every style of music over the years, producing a broad list of material. Consequently that variety attracts quite a few who just come to listen as it’s not all 12 bar and overplayed easy favourites all night. We have a list of approx. 3000 songs we’ve done over the years. Anyone is welcome to access and choose from that list of charts. On the other hand, some don’t like this organised format and prefer the more spontaneous typical spontaneous format. So every Monday night we run, "Free Style Monday” Same time, same place, but just roll up, get your name on the whiteboard, and away you go. Do whatever you want musically, there are no genre parameters, anything goes. Two of the house band are present so can backup on guitars/bass, if required, but pretty much we’ve turned the stage over to you. Play solo or with your mates, house players, or we can hook you up whoever is there. We don’t set up on the stage but on the dance-floor in front of it. This allows it to be more inclusive with virtually no transition to move from audience to being part of the action. Party atmosphere to the max despite being week nights. Comfortable, secure, warm in winter, cool in summer, food, drink, a social get together. The restaurant is not open Monday nights btw. Our group of regulars, who enjoy welcoming, encouraging and genuinely appreciating everything from polished performances to first time apprehensive beginners. In fact some of our most heart-warming moments have come from the nervous and inexperienced, just having a go. They’re a warm crowd and it doesn’t take long for nerves to melt away. Any level welcome, from first timers to pro’s. You don’t have to be good or experienced, we just want good people, who come for the fun of it. And it seems we are fulfilled with them every week. Most of all, the main ingredient, the whole thing, is for fun. In fact it bubbles from the place. It is after all, the champagne of jams. Drop in, see if it quenches your particular thirst. Find us on Facebook - Champagne Jam AND Champagne Jam Group - Messenger Graeme Keavney for info & bookings or email [email protected] – or 0411 144848
I understand the reticence for first timers to attend for these things. It’s common for newbies to come, sit up the back and get the feel of it all. And most pretty quickly realise it’s a good place to start, very relaxed and no pressure or expectations. And even though I have run these nights a while, I too would be on hesitant going somewhere new. So I get it. But equally I can only assure you that it’s uncommon for those who venture in, not to return. And obviously, familiarity breeds comfort. So, that’ll do - anything else you need, please contact me - cheers, Graeme
