Open Mic

Frontiersman reporter

It's not quite sixth street, but we're getting there. Two music events in Wasilla, separated by a block, managed to attract audiences Thursday night. At Valley Bistro, doors stayed open hours past the usual 5 p.m. closing time for the caf/'s first open mic night, while across the street at the Great Bear Brewing Company a crowd gathered for the weekly singer-songwriter showcase. With so many musicians drifting around town looking for -- and finding -- venues to play, it seems live music might finally be catching on in the Valley.

Local musicians and music lovers can now attend at least three open mics on different weekday nights in Wasilla: Monday night at Sammy's in the Cottonwood Creek Mall, Wednesday nights at the Great Bear Brewing Company, and, as of this week, Thursday nights at Valley Bistro.

On Thursday the new open mic debuted to a decent-size crowd at Valley Bistro, as singers and songwriters gathered for what organizers hope will be the first of many Thursday open mics.

Josh Fryfogle, a musician from Mississippi who moved to the Valley last year, is organizing the open mic with Jeff Morgan of Frozen Lake Studios.

The event, Fryfogle said, is being promoted as both a professionally run open mic and a community service project to promote local musicians.

On Thursday night Morgan provided professional-quality sound for performers on a PA system from his studio. Although hosting the event is good advertising for Morgan, he says he's doing it as a service to the burgeoning music scene in the Valley.

"I don't really need the promotion right now, but there are some other long-term goals I'm interested in," Morgan said. "One of the things we're hoping comes out of these Thursday open mics is a group of musicians that can be a backup band for people who want to come out and sing or come into the studio and record."

Morgan says he knows plenty of people who like to sing, but have no band or venue. Eventually, Morgan and Fryfogle hope to provide both of those things every week at Valley Bistro.

Thursday's open mic at the bistro will be more of a family event, Morgan said, kicking off around 7 p.m. so it's early enough for people to bring their kids.

"We're intentionally not having it at a bar," Morgan said. "It will attract people who like to listen to music, good music, but don't like going to bars to do it."

For those who like good music and also like going to bars, Wednesday night open mic at the Great Bear Brewing Company in Wasilla remains a popular choice.

After a seasonal summer lull, Wednesday nights are back at the Great Bear, with local singer-songwriter James Summers hosting. The Great Bear has held a popular open mic on Wednesdays for the last three years, which continues to draw people in each week.

In addition to the open mics at Valley Bistro and Great Bear, a few other coffee shops are opening their doors to local musicians.

Espresso Caf/ in Wasilla came under new ownership in January, and owner Jacque Polis hopes to establish the coffee shop as a place for music at all times of the day.

"If there's someone who wants to come in and play guitar and sing, we're open to that as long as they call ahead and let us know," Polis said. "We're trying to get the music going here, and we want to get a variety of music. Eventually, we'd like to host an open mike night."

Currently Espresso Cafe is featuring Josh Fryfogle and other musicians every Friday evening in October, from 7 to 9 p.m.

On Saturdays, people come in to jam periodically, Polis said, and on Sunday evenings a youth group from Crossroads Community Church usually comes in to play.

"I'm trying to keep it open to musicians who want to come in and promote themselves and play their music," Polis said.

This Saturday at the Espresso Cafe, Stephanie Eggebroten will be playing violin and fiddle tunes from 6 to 8 p.m. Polis said she would like to stay open until 10:30 or 11 p.m., but it will depend on the music and how much interest it generates.

At Sammy's, a Monday night open mic has maintained interest for the past five or six months, owner Sam Richardson said.

The music is mostly acoustic and all original, with an occasional band performance as well. Richardson said he also books local bands for weekend shows from time to time.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.