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Open Stage Listings


Twice Told Coffeehouse

1604 Bardstown Rd. 456-0507

Booking: Rick Towles, PA system.

The little room that could, Twice Told Coffeehouse, is twice as tiny as most entertainment venues but maybe sometimes the best gifts come in small packages. Mocha in the front, music in the back. While the fairly recent non-smoking status has cut down on the attendance of the tobacco-challenged, there is still much more fresh air and fine talent to be enjoyed. So breathe easy. Easier. Open stage nights as of November have been Tuesday evenings at 9 pm but if strong support continues, Rick Towles says he plans to add a Wednesday night as well.

Each open stage is opened with a featured poet at approximately 8 pm then the stage turns over to music and poetry sign-ups after that. Visiting folk artist Cozy Sheridan is in concert December 4, Louisville's prolific singer-songwriter Danny Flanigan will perform December 7 and Vance Gilbert (Ellis Paul's buddy) January 29.

Dundee Tavern

2222 Dundee Rd. 473-1923

Booking: Jim Snyder, PA system.

A little different than what your used to in open mike scenarios. Jim Snyder has avoided the rush to a sign-up sheet by not having one. The only prerequisite, he claims, is to have all pickers tune up together before the evening begins in order to switch partners or have a free for all jam. So remember, it's tune-up, not sign-up. Snyder is comfortable with the idea of tag-team inspiration -- he'll start, another will join in on a request, then maybe three or four will trade off licks before the last call. Jim, a multi-talented media kind o' guy used to front a folk band in Charleston, West Virginia called Strange Men With Big Heads. Now, if that -- plus the scrumptious food and drink --isn't enough to get you down to the Loop, I don't know what is.

The Rudyard Kipling

422 West Oak 636-1311

Booking: Ken Pyle, PA system, grand piano

The city's longest-running open stage was started by Paul Moffett. It's now in it's 12th year. Now hosted by a rotating schedule of artists every month of Monday's, the affectionately dubbed "Rud" lends its Old Louisville architecture and welcoming environment to any artist's performance. The high, beamed ceilings with towering brick and windows make the stage nearly video-perfect for anyone wishing to create a striking presence or passionate mood. It's a good idea to sign up by 8 pmt to ensure a spot in the light. Great pub grub and full dinners in the restaurant/bar below.


Quotable Notes - Who are your favorite solo performers?

Jeffrey Lee Puckett - Louisville Courier-Journal Pop Music Critic

I'd have to narrow it down to just a few, I'm not that familiar with the scene. Danny Flanigan, Tim Krekel and Layton Howerton. Layton is kind of a shadowy figure, he doesn't perform a lot. He does spends a lot of time in Nashville writing songs. I did a story on him a few years ago, he's a fine writer. He has similarities to John Hiatt -- more on the softer side of Hiatt.



Elaine Ford - promoter

Zan Hoffman. He' s very prolific, sort of like performance art -- he's always making tapes. The thing about Zan is he's got so much material he'll almost never do anything more than once. The soundman, Todd Johnson and I tried to get him to do that song about cracking walnuts between his thighs but he just wouldn't do it.