In the Story:
By Jessie Rolph
The Daily Iowan
September 11, 2001
Reprinted with permission of The Daily Iowan © 1996.
It all started with friends who stopped in to jam.
39 Years later, the Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., has grown
into a place that Iowa City can count on for a diverse range of entertainment.
"Some things kind of go out of style," said owner Keith Dempster.
"But I always figured that the whole situation was, if you're never
quite in style, you're probably never quite out of style."
Mondays -- Open Mic Nights
The Mill is best known for its open mic nights, usually held every Monday
from 8 p.m. to midnight. There's no cover charge to see six to eight acts,
each with a 30 minute set.
"We used to hold a weekly session in here and after a couple years
people wanted to play in public one night a month," Dempster said.
"So, the kids who were really pretty good, we'd give 'em an open
stage."
J. Knight, the coordinator of open mic night for the past 20 years, said
that for years now the weekly lineups have been full, usually with new
people each week.
"We try to stay completely with acoustic music as much as possible,"
Knight said. "The majority of performers are singer/songwriters,
with some performing covers and many showcasing original material."
The atmosphere is laid back, with a variety of music, Knight said. It's
a place for both musicians and music lovers alike.
"You can talk or you can study," he said. "It's not like
you have to be focused all the time."
Knight, who fills in when slots are open, said many local musicians who
now play professionally got their start at the Mill and occasionally return.
"This is not an amateur night," he said. "We're lucky to
have a lot of talent here."
To celebrate his twentieth year of hosting open mic nights, Knight said
he plans to do some recording with some of the artists from previous years,
and hang up posters of past musicians.
People interested in performing at the Mill's open mic night can contact
Knight, one week in advance, at 338-6713. The next open mic night is slated
for Sept. 24.
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Tuesdays -- Old Time Acoustic Jam
Tuesdays at the Mill are home to The Friends of Old Time Music Acoustic
Jam. Because it's not a stage show, anyone wanting to play or just listen
can participate, Dempster said.
"Sometimes it's Irish music, string jazz of the '30's, old bluegrass,
or sometimes they play country," Dempster said. "You never know
who is going to show up and that's why it's such a fun jam session. Last
week there was one (violin) and a couple of mandolins and three or four
guitars," he said.
Musicians who took the stage at the Mill years ago still return. Regulars
on Tuesday night include Al Murphy, who first took the Mill stage in 1966,
Bob Black, who first played the Mill in 1968, and Greg Brown, who started
in 1973, Dempster said.
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Wednesdays -- Talk Art/The Writer's Workshop
The Mill's entertainment goes beyond music. Beginning September 19, every
other Wednesday during the school year will belong to Talk Art, put on
by graduate students in the Writers' Workshop.
The night usually consists of one poet, an open mic, and a fiction writer,
said Vu Tran, a co-organizer of Talk Art and a graduate student in the
Writers' Workshop. The students present stories that are funny or provocative
and great to listen to, Tran said.
Talk Art has been held at the Mill for about 10 years, Tran said.
"They have great facilities and equipment," he said. "I
can't think of a better place to go in town."
IC Improv and other comedians, benefits and fundraising events, and regulars
like Big Wooden Radio and The Instigators, fill up other open nights at
the Mill.
Email DI reporter Jessie Rolph at:
[email protected]