Black Cat Café Open Mic

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. He and the other “Black Catters” open the Gore Hall doors on the 2nd Friday of each month at 7:30 pm to Midnight.

PARTICIPATE

Want to be part of the audience? Suggested donation/admission is $2.  Nobody is turned away for lack of funds. Come out and enjoy our local talent!

Want to perform?  Come showcase your talents of music, poetry, comedy, dance, spoken word, and more in a friendly atmosphere! Performers sign up at 7:30 pm for a 15-minute block of  performance/stage time. Performances start at 8:00 pm and continue until midnight.  

This is a very supportive audience that likes first-time performers. So if you’ve wanted to try to do something on stage 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!

MENU

The snack bar includes an assortment of goodies available by a very reasonable “suggested donation.”

Cold Beverages

• Soft drinks and bottled water $1.00
• Domestic beer $2.50
• Imported beer $3.50
• Hard cider $2.00
• Wine $3.00
• Champagne $4.00

Hot Beverages

• Coffee or tea $1.00
• Hot cocoa $1.25

Food

• Pepperoni or veggie pizza slice $2.00
• Hot dog (when available) $2.00
• Snack chips $1.00
• Dessert (when available) $1.00

CURRENT 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 sound tech
• Tom Cook – emcee, set up, clean up
• Chip Dockery – set up, clean up
• Toni Dockery  – waitress and shopper
• Lesley Howarth – cashier and inventory
• Charlotte Kendall – substitute waitress
• Mary Murphy – waitress
• Cat Rigby – 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.

See you there!