Open Mic Night returns to the Ritz on Monday

The third season of the Ritz Theatre’s Open Mic Night is slated to begin later this month.

The competition will begin on Monday, September 16 at 7pm and continue on the third Monday of each month through December, culminating in a Winners’ Showcase in January.

Ritz Theatre manager Tami Mayhugh tells WNEG News this year’s competition will differ from previous years with each month featuring a different category for the competitors.

September will be reminiscent of The Voice with solo artists using only guitar or music they provide on a jump drive as accompaniment.

October will be filled with pickin’ and grinnin’ for Bluegrass night.

November lets competitors flex their singing and songwriting muscle by using only original material.

And December brings back the Battle of the Bands.

The winners from each month will be brought back in January for a Talent Showcase.

Mayhugh says each month contestants can play up to two songs or for ten minutes. Winners are chosen from a panel of three judges and are awarded $50 plus a paid gig at the Ida Cox Music Series in the summer of 2020.

The monthly competitions are limited to 10 contestants each.

Registration is free and competitors can sign up by 6p at the door or on-line at [email protected].

For more information on the performance, please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at [email protected] or via phone at 706.244.0039.