Deep in the depths of the Firestation Centre for Art and Culture, Windsor, there is a laboratory where a funny little scientist concocts the most unique of potions.
With a pinch of creativity here and a dash of experimentation there our dear doctor produces a very entertaining brew. This lab belongs to Hitchin, master of the open mics, and here is its story…
Having once been an experienced open mic warbler, I recently took an unplanned sabbatical from the stage for about a year and a half. For anyone who has felt the buzz of performing, they will understand that to take that much time off is a crime.
But events transpired and just over a month ago I decided to take to the stage again. And it was in front of the kind and lighthearted audience at the Hitchin’s Lab open mic that I broke my performance dry spell.
Organised by our very own editor here at Beat, Melanie Gow, and expertly hosted by singer/songwriter Mark Handley of Peascod Street fame, Hitchin’s Lab is the friendliest anything-goes open mic around.
Jonathan Steffen, troubador: poet, singer and songwriter
And really, anything goes. As a singer/songwriter I am joined by other singers and guitarists at the monthly event, but there is also an eclectic group of poets who grace Hitchin’s stage. From the experimental and outlandish to the humorous and poignant, the stage is a place for everyone and anything.
And of course, we can’t forget Hitchin’s resident story teller, with his foul-mouthed parrot and endless entertaining stories of brown Windsor soup, (don’t know about it? See his website, it’s printed on his t-shirt so he tells us).
There has even been a very improvised comedy set, well they all have to start somewhere!
It is safe to say that after not playing live for over a year I was a tad nervous at my first Hitchin’s performance, to the point that my finger tips were sweating. Really, I didn’t know that was biologically possible.
But there’s something about the atmosphere at Hitchin’s Lab which makes you feel like each of the unknown dark faces behind the stage lights is a mate that’s come down to support you. It’s as if the audience is thinking: what gem will this person bring to our little concoction of creativity?
Juliette Denny and Richmond Harding
One of our regular smiley audience members, Juliette Denny, had never performed on stage before, but at the last Hitchen’s Lab session she took us all by storm with some big belting numbers, together with musician Richmond Harding, singing like a pro.
If you have a voice, an instrument or any shred of creative inclination, Dr Hitchin welcomes you to his laboratory. Don’t forget to bring your own lab coat, he’ll be mixing things up!
Hitchin’s Lab is at the Firestation every third Wednesday of the month. To find out more email hitchin@firestationartscentre.com
Resident music reviewer
Hannah Masters-Waage
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