Open Mic Nights - at the Ailsa Tavern, Twickenham


Ailsa Tavern, Twickenham

 

About the Pub
The Ailsa Tavern is light and airy with a friendly atmosphere and great food and drink available. Find out more details from the pub's own web site (link opposite).

When to find the Open Mic running 
We are running the night on the last Sunday of every month at the earlier than usual gig times of 7pm - 10pm; so that people can enjoy a fun night and still get home at a reasonable hour and be fresh for work on Monday morning!

Public Transport Information
Bus: H37 which runs between Hounslow and Manor Circus (Richmond) via Isleworth (down St. John's Rd).
The stop outside pub is called "St Margarets Drive".See a bus map
Nearest Tube: Richmond
Nearest Mainline Train: St. Margarets / Isleworth


The set up:-

PA
I bring my Peavey mixer amp system, which has plenty of channels and should be able to cope with a small group on stage (4 vocal mics and plenty of jack inputs for the DI of instruments).

Singer needing accompanist?:-
If you can bring a song sheet for the song(s) you would like to sing, with clearly marked guitar chords, I can accompany you on my guitar - if you are a singer wanting to do a spot. 
First come - first served:-
I will make a list of people wanting to play, who come along on the night and spots or opportunities to get accompaniment or jam will be given on a first come first served basis. You can book a spot in advance and will be given a preferential placement but you still need to turn up reasonably early to secure your spot it if we have a busy night.
If you are an instrumentalist wanting to jam:-
If you are a good lead player wanting the chance to jam along with an act, I would be happy for you to plug in and jam with my numbers (as host). Other acts may be interested in added accompaniment - but it would have to be their choice.
Photos and Video
My husband, Clive, takes photos and video footage when he comes along. (He isn't always there). If you would prefer not to be photographed or videoed please let us know. If we do video your performance, we will put it onto You Tube privately for you to view and it can stay private or, if you would like it to featured, we can make it public on the:-
Ailsa Tavern You Tube page.
Good Opportunity
If you are looking to make contacts with the music business - get gigs and get yourself known - this open mic is a GREAT opportunity, since I have contacts with local venues and festivals and you can have your music featured / linked to the Open Mic page, once you come and play. I can offer support spots at my gigs too. Both Leigh Moth and Jon Bental supported at a November gig following their performance at the October open mic night and are doing more soon - as is Alan Dublon! See the 2011 gigs page.

 



Open Mic upcoming dates (last Sunday of the month)

Feb 26th, Mar 25th, Apr 29th, May 27th, Jun 24th, Jul 29th, Aug 26th, Sep 30th, Oct 28th, Nov 25th, Dec 30th


New Year - New start time - 7pm
Starting from the January Open Mic night, we will be beginning the Open Mic evenings from the earlier time of 7pm (instead of 7.30pm) to try to give more time for Open Mic performers to play - as we are getting such good numbers turning up!


Announcing NEW Open Mic Song-writing Competition!
Write a James Bond Theme song for the new film coming out, called “Skyfall”
(which must also be the title of your song entry)
.
Some interesting facts about the film:-
A press release gave a brief plot outline, saying Bond's loyalty to M is tested "as her past comes back to haunt her.
As MI6 (British intelligence) comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."


His car’s an Aston Martin, his martini is shaken not stirred and his suit’s perfectly tailored – but perhaps not for much longer.
James Bond producers have had to slash their budget and are shooting in Bognor Regis after scrapping plans to head for six different
exotic countries to make the next 007 film Skyfall. Instead of distant locations such as India, China and Bali, they are using various
UK beaches. Skyfall will also rely heavily on special effects and advanced sets at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

 More about the film…
To be held at the April 29th Open Mic night



As before, anyone with a song entry to perform on the April 29th Open Mic night puts £5 into a pot and the winner takes the pot!

February 26th - The Performers (who've said they''re coming):-
1. Mark Wynn (on tour)
2.  The Frisbys
3. Andrea Robinson
4. Alex Feinstein

If you know you will be coming along and want to let people know, you can get on the list to perform on the night in advance plus I will list your name on the open mic page (with a link to your own web information - if you have any)
e-mail elaine@elainesamuels.co.uk

NOTE: To secure a "booked" spot you must arrive by 8pm on the night!


West London Open Mic Newsflash - February 2012

Folk London – www.folklondon.co.uk

Folk London is a useful guide to folk clubs, sessions, open mics and jams happening in the London area – so you might like to get hold of a copy. 
I shall become a regular Folk London magazine seller at my Open Mic nights.

Come and support local Kindred Spirit Gigs
My duo / trio / band, "Kindred Spirit" have a number of local gigs coming up, where we have given Open Mic goers support spots. You can help us to retain these venues for future gigs, where we can potentially give others support spots, by coming along and helping to swell audience numbers. Here are the gigs so far:-

Feb 12
4th SAT Twickenham, The Fox, 39 Church St, Middx, TW1 3NR, 9 - 11.15pm  (DUO E+A)  + support Rob Joyce Pub Guide  

The Marble Hill, Twickenham

Alan Dublon’s Open Mic night at the Marble Hill pub is BACK! Expect them on the second Sunday of the month (
7– 11pm). See you there!

The Windmill, Bell Rd., Hounslow
Pub manager, Kapil, is VERY keen to have lots of live music at his pub and is offering local musicians gigs and he also invites them to rehearse at his pub! He is looking for a reliable musician to run a regular Open Mic Night for him for a modest fee. Anyone interested, phone Kapil on 07825 441262



Information on other open mics

Date Place Time Web Links
Second Sunday Marble Hill pub - Twickenham 7pm  
First Thursday Hanwell "W7Edge" 8pm

http://w7edge.com/

Monthly (Check for info)

Osterley - Thistleworth

8:30pm

more info

Last Sunday (mostly) Ailsa Tavern 7:30pm See this page

Monthly on Fridays (date varies - £3 entry)

Brentford - St. Paul's Church

7pm

Web info

Bi-monthly
Red Lion, Brightwell cum Sotwell
8pm Web info

See also the "Find an Open Mic" web site and "Virtually Acoustic" web site - for even more Open Mic Nights! 


January 29th

 Another busy night with - yet again some new, young faces. The standard of performing was very high and it was a very enjoyable one!


Jamie Kendall and Elaine


Jamie Kendall and
Jon Bental


Ivor Game


"Soulfeeder"


Tim Burbage


Graham Turner


Liam Bradley


"Power Balladeers"


"The Secret"


Piers and Bill and friends

The End Jam - lead by Dave Irons


 


December 18th

A few people who we thought were coming didn't make it at this one but there were other people who we didn't know were coming who did, some surprise performers from the bar, some performers who hadn't come to perform but had their arms twisted (gently) and an enjoyable set of Christmas originals from the competition entrants!


Its me with the silly Christmas hat on!


Nancy Walker with Leigh Moth accompanying


Nancy trying to get the words from a smart phone


James Burton


Sonja Byrne


"Soulfeeder"


Alan Dublon


Jamming with Alan Dublon


Piers and Bill


Jon Bental


Jamming with
Jon Bental


Jimmie - dragged up by his mates from the bar


 The Christmassy End Jam


Song-writing Competition
held at the December Open Mic
(Christmas / Winter song)


Alan Dublon won the song-writing competition with "Christmas Hell" - another amusing masterpiece!

 

 


 


November 27th
Yet again a great night! We had 13 performers (not including myself) and some new faces - some who had travelled a long way; Cactus Finger came all the way from Reading! Cactus Finger will be supporting my "Kindred Spirit" band at a Reading gig on December 10th. We also had a spot from the fabulous  "Nessles", who will be supporting my "Kindred Spirit" trio (Annie - flute/sax/whistle/vocs, Mike - bass/vocs and myself) at the Fox and Duck, Petersham Rd., Richmond on Friday, December 9th, from 9pm!


Peter London - with Elaine doing some backing vocals


"Nessles"


Izzy singing with Lucie Bloomfield


Sabrina Parker


Alan Dublon


Alex Feinstein


Justin Johnson and Andy


Piers Hogg with Kim Bloomfield


Sonja Byrne


Alli


"Cactus Finger"


"Rollin Tone"


Jack Giles

 


The End Jam - NOT "Mustang Sally" but "Hey Jude" and "Brown Eyed Girl"!

Earlier nights


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