Songwriters' Open Mic

Cactus Cafe kicks off its Songwriters' Open Mic on Tuesday, September 15, and it's a weekly thing from there through Tuesday, November 24. The night is hosted by Jake Farr, and the rule is original music only—no covers—performed by local artists. If you've been writing your own stuff and haven't had a place to play it, this is one of those slots that actually lets you get it in front of people.

Knowing the room helps set the scene. The Cactus Cafe is a live music venue and bar on the University of Texas at Austin campus that's been an intimate listening room since 1979. Over the decades, it's built a national reputation for showcasing top local, regional, national, and international acts—names like Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Alison Krauss, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Townes Van Zandt, Bill Monroe, and the Chicks have all played here. Billboard magazine once listed it as one of fifteen 'solidly respected, savvy clubs' nationwide 'from which careers can be cut.' It's an all-ages venue, and the open mic night is billed as the best listening room in Austin.

Because it's a listening room, the focus stays on the songs rather than the noise around them. That's the whole point of an open mic like this: it's a space for songwriters to step up and play what they've written. Since it's original music only, you won't hear the same covers you get at a typical bar night; you'll hear new material from people in the city. If you're planning to play, keep in mind that it's local artists on the bill, so it's a good way to hear what's coming out of the Austin scene right now.

It runs every Tuesday from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM, so you've got plenty of time to get in and settle before things get moving. Admission is free, and the night continues every Tuesday until November 24. You'll find it at the Cactus Cafe in the Texas Union, 2308 Whitis Ave, Austin, TX 78712.