Open Mic Night at the Lyceum

A year after moving to New York from Chicago to pursue his music, Dwight Smith, a 20-something guitar player and singer by night, finally found a safe space where he could test out his original songs on a forgiving audience at the

"Hi everyone, my name is Dwight, it's my first time here, and first time playing at all in a while," said Smith as he broke into a slow, introspective love song he wrote himself, strumming his guitar.

Actually, it was Smith's first time ever playing in front of an audience in New York City. Smith, who lives in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and works at a vegan chocolatier by day, has played guitar for 15 years now and records his music at home. He wanted to get more experience performing in front of an audience though and thought the Lyceum's open mike night would be a non-intimidating first choice.

A cafe, gym and performance space housed inside of a century-old former public bath, the Brooklyn Lyceum hosts a weekly open mike night for burgeoning performers and more experienced artists looking to try out new material.

Each Monday from 7 to 8 p.m., performers and spectators gather in an intimate bar-like space to put back a few beers, listen to original music and sometimes share tips and suggestions for improvement. Each artist performs two songs in an initial round, and if time permits, a few more.

Unlike many other open mic nights, the Lyceum's gathering is non-threatening: there's no pre-registration or intimidating stage, and audience members clap and cheer enthusiastically after each set.

"It's the in-between place of learning and doing gigs," said open mic night host Elizabeth Rex, who also plays piano and sings during the sessions. "It's very small and intimate, and good for anyone who wants to keep their stage chops up."

Rex, who lives a few blocks away from the Lyceum, played her music at almost every open mic session last year before taking over as host this year. By day, she is a finance coordinator for a non profit.

Typically, five to fifteen performers show up on a given night, Rex said, performing songs ranging from folk to blues to rock and pop.

On a recent Monday, the session kicked off with two folk tunes by Gary, a regular in his fifties whose pieces are reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Gary, who plays guitar and harmonica, stepped up to the "stage," the front of a small room dotted with ficus plants that were decorated with sparkly Christmas ornaments. He sang, "He asked where are you going young man in such a rush. No need to hurry, no need to rush. They need to walk in Dylan's shoes." Gary brought his grown daughter, who helped with instrument changes.

"Yes, we taught our children well," he sang during one song, looking back over his shoulder to smile at his daughter.

Before he broke out into another piece, he addressed the audience. "I got one for you. One you can all join in on and buzz along with me," he said, pursing his lips to demonstrate a light buzzing sound. "It feels great!"

Joaquin, another performer, transformed the room into a cozy New Orleans jazz club with his soulful blues played on piano. "You reap just what you sow, if you let it grow," he sang. In a later piece, he sang, "Yea I spend the night in jail. I didn't admit no crime." 

Rex performed several songs as well on piano and sang; some of her pieces were reminiscent of Fiona Apple. Rex said that she gets her inspiration from 70s soul music, Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Queen.

"I want to encourage an environment of mistakes and errors and things you've never tried before," Rex said, as she sat down at the piano.  "That's what I'm trying to do here," she said, looking down at the keys. "This is a piece I learned last week."

After the session, performers and spectators chatted about the performances, how they felt, who was coming back. Smith was all smiles as he packed up his guitar.

"It's a really good atmosphere here," he said. "I just loved the feeling of the group."

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