open mic guidelines

The goal of the Fray Cafe open microphone is to create a safe space where people feel comfortable telling their stories. Here are some tips to make your experience a pleasant one.

1 Be personal.
Fray is all about personal stories. As long as you're speaking from the heart, telling a true story, what you say will be welcomed.

You don't have to be funny and you don't have to be serious (though you can be either, or both, if you want). You just have to be yourself. Easy, right?

2 Don't talk about the web!
This is about storytelling in Real Life. We all know what it's like to be on the web. Tell us what it's like to be in your shoes.

3 No rants.
Got an axe to grind? Do it in the garage. This is a place for stories, not kvetches.

4 You have five minutes only.
We're asking everyone to tell their story in under five minutes. But don't worry, five minutes is longer than you think. Just take your time and tell your story. You'll be fine as long as you stay on topic.

If you see the emcee looking at you and tapping their watch, wrap it up quick. You'll only get one warning before we pull the plug.

5 Remember all those public speaking tips.
Try to avoid the words like "um, uh, well, yeah." Be confident – no one else knows the story you're about to tell as well as you do, so own it! Have energy. Resist the urge to stare at your feet, no matter how interesting they may seem. And above all, enjoy yourself! If you're having fun, so is everybody else.

Thanks again for participating in the Fray Cafe open mic. We'll get started about 9pm. We don't always go in the order people sign up, so be sure to stick around!