Welcome to the Church of the Open Mic

Given that you are a subscriber to my karaoke blog, I realize I am preaching to the choir, but you’re gonna love this article from the news site mic.com. Turns out we singers (professional and otherwise) make better friends, say the scientists around the world—and I quote:

Singing can help people be calmer. Singing can release endorphins and oxytocin, which create feelings of trust, intimacy and euphoria. It makes people exactly the kind of friend you want around when the going gets tough. Maybe it is time for some karaoke.

Read the full article here: Why Singers Make Better Friends, According To Science

How To Warm the Heart of a KJ

When I host a show, it’s all about making sure the singers have a good time. But as the KJ, I have a good time, too, even though I’m “at work.” What makes Karaoke Annie feel so good? Glad you asked!

1. Your smile. A happy singer tops my feel-good list every time. If you and your friends are enjoying yourselves, it validates all the dollars and hours that I spent to build the show. And who doesn’t love being surrounded by smiling faces?
2. Your thanks. Whether you express your appreciation with a kind word, a tip, a “like” or photo-share on Facebook, or a return visit, I get the message and I’m grateful.
3. Your respect. When you applaud for a singer like you mean it, even when they’re not strong on talent, it makes their day—and mine. I also notice and appreciate when you treat my equipment (i.e. the microphone) and songbooks with respect, and when you return my pens and pencils instead of keeping them.

Of course I’m glad you come to karaoke night even if you don’t want to sing, because we need applauders as much as we need singers—and it’s nice to have a full house. I’m glad you choose to spend your hard-earned cash on food and drinks and tips for the wait staff as well as for your karaoke host, when you could be staying home or going to the movies. 

But trust me, karaoke really IS all about YOU, and YOU are the one who makes it all worthwhile for me just by leaving all your cares at the door and taking part in a night of joyful noise. So thank you, thank you, thank you! And come again soon!

Martes de Karaoke empieza en La Choperia

Bienvenidos a los Martes de Karaoke en La Choperia (Canal #21, Col. Centro)! Welcome to Karaoke Tuesdays at La Choperia! Venganse y disfruten de unas bebidas, botanas y canciones. Come and enjoy drinks, snacks and songs. No cover! Reservaciones: (415) 154 4545.

Karaoke is good therapy (es buena terápia)!

Look at these faces. Every one of these people is completely outside of themselves...
completely absorbed in the fellowship of the moment...completely unselfconscious.
That's called "being in the now," or "in the moment," and it's a healthy thing.
More therapists ought to prescribe karaoke nights for their patients!

New! Karaoke Annie t-shirts!

Wear your passion!

Whether you join us once or weekly, you can commemorate your San Miguel karaoke experience with a tee designed by Karaoke Annie herself, along with illustrator Karl Reichert and graphic designer Aarón Romo. Men's and women's style tee shirts are available in sizes P/S, M/M, and G/L, printed in black on your choice of shirt colors. Order yours today and pick it up at The Beer Company! $200 pesos or $16.50 usd, cash or via PayPal (annenicolai at earthlink dot net).

Don't miss karaoke with Annie & Aarón every Friday 7pm-12am at The Beer Company, Ancha de San Antonio #17, San Miguel de Allende (tel. 415 154 4224). Click here for a partial song list in English and click here for songs in Spanish—more songs added monthly!

Karaoke at The Beer Company 7pm Friday (viernes), Jan. 11 (11 de enero)

Todos vengan para cantar conmigo en The Beer Company, viernes 11 de enero desde 7pm hasta ???!!! Tenemos muchas canciones nuevas!

Ancha de San Antonio #17, junto a Natura.

Everyone come and sing with me at The Beer Company this Friday Jan. 11, from 7pm until who knows when?!! Lots of new songs!

Across from Instituto Allende.

Please take a taxi home!

For most karaoke singers, a bit of liquid courage is the difference between flipping through the songbook all night and actually getting up to sing. But once you've had more than two drinks, it might be time to think about taking a taxi or handing over the car keys to a designated driver. As this video shows, the ones who sing the most usually are the ones who drink the most.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Have fun...be safe...don't drink & drive!