Black Cat Café Open Mic

Black Cat Café Open Mic Night

Black Cat Café Open Mic is a First Unitarian Church of Orlando (1U) tradition dating back to “one fateful Friday the 13th” in May of 1994. That’s how it got its name and the “black cat” mascot! Now meeting continuously for just over 25 years and still going strong, the Black Cat Café Open Mic is currently led by John Brockman.

PARTICIPATE

The online open mic is every 2nd Friday of the month over Zoom. We begin at 7 PM EST for sound checks and then we start going around the circle for performances until 9 PM. 

Want to be part of the audience? Email us at  BlackCatCafe@OrlandoUU.org for Zoom info in advance. The info also appears on our Facebook event page on the day around lunch time.  This event is free.  $2 donation welcome.  Nobody is turned away for lack of funds. 

Want to perform?  Come showcase your talents of music, poetry, comedy, dance, spoken word, and more in a friendly atmosphere!  Performances can also be recorded and given over “Share screen.” 

This is a very supportive audience that likes first-time performers. So if you’ve wanted to try to do something but were afraid to do so, this is the place to do it! Black Cat Café Open Mic also has a reputation for having some of the best local professional acts dropping in now and again to try out new material. Regular performers over the years have included and still include Jim Allen, Bari Clark, Stephen Grayce, “Bulldog” Ben Basile, “Top Cat” Cook, Susie Cool, Chip Dockery, Luv Me Deux, The Old Guys on the Porch, and many more!

CURRENT STAFF

Black Cat Staff

Black Cat Staff formally meets only once or twice a year to assess inventory and check on the health of the staff. Meeting dates are sent around over email. Informal check-ins are monthly when setting up the open mic night events on 2nd Fridays.

Please contact John Brockman at BlackCatCafe@OrlandoUU.org if you are interested in becoming a “Black Catter” and helping out behind the scenes to put on the monthly open mic! Extra helpers are always welcome!

• John Brockman – chair and tech
• Chip Dockery – emcee
• Toni Dockery  – support staff
• Mike Haddad – slides
• Lesley Howarth – support staff
• Charlotte Kendall – support staff
• Mary Murphy – support staff
• Cat Rigby – secretary and social media

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Join our Black Cat Facebook page  to get event reminders and view more photos!  

You can also email BlackCatCafe@OrlandoUU.org for more info or to be put on the performer email reminder list.

See you there!