The Tempe Center for the Arts is resuming Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Nights, geared toward creating community involvement and a place for residents and ASU students to get creative, said Mary Fowler, coordinator for the weekly show.
Performers from ages 7 to 93 have graced the TCA stage and all ages are welcome, said Fowler.
“We have several performers every week,” Fowler said. “It’s a great way for people to come out and blend with the live music scene in Arizona.”
Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Nights has been an event at TCA, located on Rio Salado Parkway between Roosevelt Street and Hardy Drive, for the past three years and runs during the fall and spring semesters.
Acoustic performer Cottonwood Stone has participated in almost every Walk-in Wednesday night.
“Walk-in Wednesdays is perhaps the best live music venue in town,” Stone said. “It doesn’t have the typical coffee shop sound. Walk-in Wednesdays promotes listening and connection between audience and musicians in a beautiful art center.”
Fowler said Open Mic Night gives an alternative to a noisy nightclub and offers a friendly laidback atmosphere.
“It’s a great mix of people,” Fowler said. “Open Mic Night is a nice way for people to listen to music and is an excellent opportunity for musicians to network.”
Walt Richardson, host of Walk-in Wednesday nights, said the center is open to performers of all genres of music and to those who just want to listen.
“We welcome ASU students to the Tempe Center for the Arts and ask to embrace it as part of their community as well,” Richardson said.
Walk-in Wednesdays is held from 5 to 6 p.m. for youth performers under 18 years old and from 6 to 10 p.m. for adult performers. Musicians must provide their own equipment or recorded music and may play original music or covers of their favorite music.
Speech and hearing sophomore Ariel Salo attended this Wednesday’s Open Mic Night to check out the live music.
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere,” she said. “The musicians had a lot of talent and it was very enjoyable to watch. I will definitely come again.”
Reach the reporter at gqolson@asu.edu
