CaRaVaN open mic celebrates 10th anniversary

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2021 (1859 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Many open mic nights have come and gone over the years, but CaRaVaN has been going strong for a decade now, although its venue has changed more than a few times over the years,

Some folks have been involved since its inception. Paul Little has been one of the mainstays acting as host, soundman and even as a performer singing original songs while playing keyboards.

CaRaVaN began in the Frame Arts Warehouse on Ross Avenue shortly after Ali Tataryn opened the space in September, 2011.

Paul dubbed it The Purple Room and when Ali left, Paul, Matty (Rage’_Nelson, and Ronel (Squigs) Amata took over and took turns each week hosting the open mic.

When Frame closed down, CaRaVaN was homeless for a brief time and even held the open mic in the back lane behind the Ross Avenue building, then it moved to the Cube stage in Old Market Square before moving into the Rudolf Rocker Studio at 91 Arthur St.

Recently it has set itself up at X-Cues Cafe and Lounge on Sargent Avenue in the winters and the Cube during the summer. Not even a pandemic could stop this CaRaVaN, as it as carried on online until X-Cues was able to re-open.

Over the years I’ve seen some pretty amazing performances at CaRaVaN. Everything from musical acts to poetry readings, from comedians to jugglers and musicians. During the Fringe Festival, a theatre group even put on a mini-play one year.

I’ve also seen some pretty cool collaborations between various performers over the years. I even started reciting some of my poems around six years ago  and I’m a regular now.

For the past couple of years, CaRaVaN has also set up at the Assiniboine Downs Night Market during the summer months.

The inspiration and encouragement at CaRaVaN are two of the things that keep this wonderful event alive. It’s been pretty cool to watch some of the performers hone and develop their performances over the years.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, CaRaVaN  held a special event at le Patio 340 at the Franco Manitoban Cultural Centre on Sept. 25.

 

Doug Kretchmer is a freelance writer, artist and community correspondent for The Times. Email him at quidamphotography@gmail.com

Twitter: @DougKretchmer