With the return of Open Mics to the Pour Farm Tavern in downtown New Bedford, Tuesday nights are about building a “community” of artists, an open-door opportunity for local musicians. The shows are proving to be a welcome forum for performers who are eager to have their talent enjoyed and appreciated by friends and peers.
In its first six weeks, the evenings are attracting a growing number of musicians, something that has host Yaya Ortiz inspired for the future.
“We’re attracting a supportive group of people, the Pour Farm is a great place to practice your performing skills,” Ortiz boasts. “You’re surrounded by so many local people who are doing the same thing. I always encourage new artists to come out and play, even if it’s only for one song. It’s a safe place for all performers.”
Hooly J Chan of Dartmouth has played at three of the Open Mics since their return to the Pour Farm stage in September.
“As a musician, it’s awesome that there are so many people who are there to listen to you,” she says. “The open mic is creating this little community of singer/songwriters that is cool and supportive. People feel included and it’s a safe place to share their music and develop their skills.”
“There are always people there to listen to your music at the open mics,” says singer/songwriter Jake Perrone of Westport, who played his very first show five years ago at The Pour Farm. “The Pour Farm has a very warm, wonderful feeling, everyone is very respectful. I always see someone I know as well as new faces.”
“This open mic is a good opportunity for local musicians,” Ortiz says. “Live music is so important and I’m grateful that we have this community of creative people. There’s so much talent and so many amazing musicians in New Bedford.”
Ortiz knows the benefits of the Open Mic as well as anyone. When she moved to the city from Maryland in 2018 she was just introduced to the ukulele and the Pour Farm was an opportunity for her to test the performance waters. Those early concerts would lead to her learning the acoustic guitar and an EP of original material that was released in February of this yearunder the name Yaya O.
“When I first started I had no idea how to play and sing or talk to the crowd,” she says. “By doing shows at the Pour Farm I was able to learn a lot and meet a lot of people who would become my friends.”
The previous Pour Farm Open Mics were hosted for 10 years by local musician Chris Evil, but it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Evil still hosts monthly shows at the Pour Farm featuring local bands and musicians.
The Open Mics were resurrected when the bar’s owner, Craig Ribeiro, mentioned the idea to Ortiz.
The Open Mics are held every Tuesday night. Musicians can sign up to play between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Music begins at 9and may last until 1 a.m. Performers are allowed three to five songs, depending on the depth of the schedule, which may include a dozen performers. Ortiz recently began having featured artists at the events, playing extended sets of material.
But Ortiz has a vision for the event. She hopes to expand the evenings to augment the singer/songwriters with a wide-open array of genres, including all forms of music, comedy, spoken word and poetry, as well as dee jays.
“I want to create a positive environment where people are excited to get up and play something,” Ortiz says. “I want to make this a creative place for everybody.”
The musicians mentioned in this article have original material available online. Hooly J Chan’s music can be found on the albums “Make Believe” and “Hospital Socks,” while Perrone can be heard on the album “Green Blood.” Ortiz’s music can be heard on Saturday, November 13’th with a full performance at the Stove Boat Concert Series at the home of Sarah Donner on 63 Thomas St. in New Bedford. Ortiz also performs country covers and original songs on Wednesday nights at Cork in downtown.
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