Sunday Open Stage

The next Sunday Open Stage is on October 6th.
Sign ups from 5:00. The first 15 people who sign up are guaranteed spots. Those signing up later will be put on a waiting list, so try to come early. Free admission.

Here’s a message from our hosts Miwa and Peter!
“Hello everyone, we are looking forward to seeing you on Oct 6th for the Open Mic at ‘What the Dickens’ where we will have the pleasure and honour of hosting again. See you there! - Peter & Miwa.”

Thank you Ethan Green for hosting September’s Open Stage. And a big round of applause to all the participants. Photos by courtesy of Shigeru Kamada and Peter Juett. Hope to see you again on October 6th!

WhWhat the Dickenseptember Live Music/Event Schedule

What the Dickens!; Pub & Bar ; Live Music; Ebisu What the Dickens is a British Pub located in Ebisu, Tokyo. Offering live music, traditional English food, beers, ales, stouts & snacks. Watch the live stream!

The next Open Stage is on September 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 and Ethan Green, an electrical engineer by day, a musician by night, will be hosting. Catch him playing bass in sadboi and Wolves for Teachers, or hosting the quarterly event Our Town at Ruby Room.

Sign ups from 5:00. The first 15 people who sign up are guaranteed spots. Those signing up later will be put on a waiting list, so try to come early. Free admission. See you there!

Tonight Thursday 15th Aug
Elliot Cormack from 9pm

Thank you Andy Boerger for hosting last Sunday’s Open Stage. And a big round of applause for the creative talents! Here are photos by courtesy of Peter Juett and Shigeru Kamada.

Today Sunday 4th August at What the Dickens!
Sunday Open Stage form 5:30 till 8pm
then
Konnichiwa Typhoon from 8:30 pm

The next Open Stage is on August 4th from 5:30 to 7:30. Andy Boerger, a man of many hats will be hosting. In addition to hosting the event, Andy's painting show continues on the first floor of Dickens.

Sign ups from 5:00. The first 15 people who sign up are guaranteed spots. Those signing up later will be put on a waiting list, so try to come early. Free admission. See you there!

July’s Sunday Open Stage was again a blast, following the poetry book release party of our own Eri Hara, Quenby Aoki, Ade Crawley, and Andy Boerger.

Thanks to our coordinator Richard Evanoff for hosting and to all who participated. And a super thank you, as always, to John Coyle, Marie Coyle and the WTD staff.

The photos of the performers are in order of appearance.

1. Bruce
2. Takashi
3. Quenby
4. Peter J
5. Eri
6. Peter M
7. Maya, Maya and Richard, Richard
8. Ade
9. Shige and Ayumu
10. Gamasama (Lady Gama) and Ayumu
11. Andy B
12. Hide
13. David
14. Encore (“Knocking on Heaven’s Door”)

The next Open Stage is on August 4th hosted by Andy B. Hope to see you and take care in the heat!

July Live Schedule

What the Dickens!; Pub & Bar ; Live Music; Ebisu What the Dickens is a British Pub located in Ebisu, Tokyo. Offering live music, traditional English food, beers, ales, stouts & snacks. Watch the live stream!

GUIDELINES FOR PERFORMERS (updated 6/24/2024)
1. The open mic is (usually) held on the first Sunday of each month at What the Dickens in Ebisu from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with sign-ups starting at 5:00. We can sometimes go a bit later than 7:30 if there is no band and we have permission from the Dickens.
2. Any kind of performance is OK (poetry, fiction, storytelling, music, dance, acting, performance art, comedy, magic—whatever).
3. No karaoke but prerecorded background music for poetry or original songs is OK.
4. Primarily an English-language event: works in other languages should be translated into English; songs should be introduced in English.
5. Sign-ups start at 5:00 p.m. If you’d like to secure a spot on stage, it is suggested that you sign up early. The first fifteen people who sign up will (in most cases) be able perform before the event officially ends at 7:30. Anyone who wants to sign up after the first fifteen acts will be put on a waiting list and given a chance to perform only if time permits. If fewer people sign up and/or there's time left over, repeat performances will be welcomed until 7:30 or later if What the Dickens grants us an extension.
6. Bring and play your own instruments. Tune up beforehand, not on stage. If you have equipment to set up such as keyboard, drumset, gadgets, cables, etc., please come at 5:00 p.m. and have everything set up by 5:25 so as not to be setting up during or between performances. Any additional set-up time on stage is counted as performance time. If you show up late and require extensive set-up time, you will be given a chance to set up and perform at the very end of the event if time permits. Usually there is someone familiar with the house sound system who can help with set-ups, but it may not be the host. Please do not alter the settings at the back of the mixer without prior consultation with WTD staff (John).

7. The time limit for performances is about six minutes (not more than two songs for musicians). Please be mindful of the time limits so that everyone has equal time to perform.
8. Participants in the open mic should avoid chatting while performers (especially spoken word performers) are performing. Pay attention or at least pretend you are paying attention (!).
9. Adjust the mike volume, stand close to the mike, and speak loudly and clearly so people can hear you. There may (or may not) be others who can help with adjustments to the sound system. Usually there is someone who can help with adjustments to the sound system.
10. Everyone should clear their equipment off the stage immediately after the event is over. Hosts (and others) should help to put back any equipment belonging to What the Dickens.
11. Hosts will enforce the above rules and not allow performers to disregard the schedule by cutting in line out of turn or taking more than their allotted time on stage. There is room for flexibility, but hosts have the final say about scheduling and time limits.

Richard Evanoff will be back hosting the next Sunday Open Stage on July 7th. Sign ups from 5:00. The first 15 people who sign up are guaranteed spots. Those signing up later will be put on a waiting list, so try to come early. We start at 5:30 and go on until 7:30ish. Free admission. Hope to see many of you there!

Richard has been involved with the open mic since whenever it started and also its predecessor manifestations since 1984. He is a former editor of Printed Matter and founding editor of the literary journal, Edge. He has recently had several poems, short stories, and a novel accepted for publication.

Another packed Sunday Open Stage buzzing with creativity at What the Dickens. Thanks to Laurence Joseph Reid for hosting and to all who were there to share the fun!

Here are the performers in order of appearance:
Mark, Joan, Samm, Yujin, Utsu, Eri, Nikki, Peter, Maya, Richard, Ryosuke, Mieko, Ade, Yuri, Turner & Osaki San, Paul, Teachers for Wolves, Micheline, Quenby, Takashi, Lady Gama & Co., John and his gang.

And a super thank you, as always, to John Coyle, Marie Coyle and the wonderful WTD staff.

The next Open Stage is on July 7th following “A Year of the Dickens” poetry book release party of our regulars, Eri Hara, Quenby Aoki, Ade Crawley and Andy Boerger.

(Updated) GUIDELINES FOR OPEN MIC PERFORMERS
1. The open mic is (usually) held on the first Sunday of each month at What the Dickens in Ebisu from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with sign-ups starting at 5:00. We can sometimes go a bit later than 7:30 if there is no band and we have permission from the Dickens.
2. Any kind of performance is OK (poetry, fiction, storytelling, music, dance, acting, performance art, comedy, magic—whatever).
3. No karaoke but prerecorded background music for poetry or original songs is OK.
4. Primarily an English-language event: works in other languages should be translated into English; songs should be introduced in English.
5. Sign-ups start at 5:00 p.m. If you’d like to secure a spot on stage, it is suggested that you sign up early. The first fifteen people who sign up will (in most cases) be able perform before the event officially ends at 7:30. Anyone who wants to sign up after the first fifteen acts will be put on a waiting list and given a chance to perform only if time permits. If fewer people sign up and/or there's time left over, repeat performances will be welcomed until 7:30 or later if What the Dickens grants us an extension.
6. Bring and play your own instruments. Tune up beforehand, not on stage. If you have equipment to set up such as keyboard, drumset, gadgets, cables, etc., please come at 5:00 p.m. and have everything set up by 5:25 so as not to be setting up during or between performances. Any additional set-up time on stage is counted as performance time. If you show up late and require extensive set-up time, you will be given a chance to set up and perform at the very end of the event if time permits. Usually there is someone familiar with the house sound system who can help with set-ups, but it may not be the host.
7. The time limit for performances is about six minutes (not more than two songs for musicians). Please be mindful of the time limits so that everyone has equal time to perform.
8. Participants in the open mic should avoid chatting while performers (especially spoken word performers) are performing. Pay attention or at least pretend you are paying attention (!).
9. Adjust the mike volume, stand close to the mike, and speak loudly and clearly so people can hear you. There may (or may not) be others who can help with adjustments to the sound system. Usually there is someone who can help with adjustments to the sound system.
10. Everyone should clear their equipment off the stage immediately after the event is over. Hosts (and others) should help to put back any equipment belonging to What the Dickens.
11. Hosts will enforce the above rules and not allow performers to disregard the schedule by cutting in line out of turn or taking more than their allotted time on stage. There is room for flexibility, but hosts have the final say about scheduling and time limits.

Hi Friends,
Forwarding a message from Richard Evanoff:
In anticipation of the rainy season, Maya and I are planning to do “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” as a sing-along during our next Open Stage on June 2nd (not an encore). . I’m attaching the chords and lyrics for anyone who would like to join us!

Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”

INTRO: Am F C G
C
Someone told me long ago
C
There's a calm before the storm
G C
I know it's been comin' for some time
C
When it's over so they say
C
It'll rain a sunny day
G C
I know shinin' down like water

CHORUS
F G
I want to know
C G/B Am
Have you ever seen the rain?
F G
I want to know
C G/B Am
Have you ever seen the rain?
F G C
Comin' down on a sunny day?

Yesterday and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know been that way for all my time
'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow,
I know it can't stop, I wonder

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain ☔️💃 dance mix "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" is a song written by John Fogerty and released as a single in 1971 from the album Pendulum (1970) by roots rock group Creedenc...

The next Open Stage is on June 2nd from 17:30 to 19:30. A message from our host Laurence Joseph Reid:

Hello...my name is Laurence and I'm from England. I have been living in Japan since 1999 and coming to What The Dickens Open Mic since around 2004. Please come to our next Open Mic which I will be hosting. We are looking for poets, short story readers, musicians and any other weird and wonderful acts. Just help me stay sober enough to get through to the end. Or halfway at least.

It was my pleasure to host the May Sunday Open Stage at What the Dickens and thank you to all who were there to share the fun!

Here are the performers in order of appearance:
Mark, Maya, Richard, Wolves for Teachers (Jeff, Ethan and Lina), Andy B., Ichi, Marian, Nahid, Yujin, Eri, Peter, Hidehito, Nobuo, Q, Rod, Micheline, Hiep and Lorelei.

And a super thank you, as always, to John Coyle, Marie Coyle and WTD staff. The next Open Stage is on June 2nd.

http://www.whatthedickens.jp/

What the Dickens!; Pub & Bar ; Live Music; Ebisu What the Dickens is a British Pub located in Ebisu, Tokyo. Offering live music, traditional English food, beers, ales, stouts & snacks. Watch the live stream!

http://www.whatthedickens.jp/

I’ll be back hosting the next Sunday Open Stage on May 5th. Sign ups from 5:00 (only limited slots available so come and sign up early!) We start at 5:30 and go on until 7:30ish. Free admission. Hope to see many of you there!

Maya Masaki
Singer-songwriter, J to E visual media translator, educator

We had a another big crowd at the Open Stage and many fantastic performances last Sunday! A BIG thanks to one of our coordinators Richard for hosting! Here are the performers in order of appearance:
Mark, Jeff, Ethan, Alessandro & Takashi, Konnichiwa Typhoon, Quenby, Charlotte, Yujin, Maya & Richard, Ade, Marian & Richard, ITI, Peter, Yui & Miki, Morris, Hidehito & Mike, Hidehito & Cassie, Lady Gama & Co., Eri, Gekko Music

And a super thank you, as always, to John Coyle, Marie Coyle, and WTD staff. The next Open Stage is on May 5th during Golden Week. Hope to see you!