Heroes of open mic night

Although karaoke is said to be a Japanese tradition that stemmed from bar life, the art has become refined in its own right in Bloomington.
For the past decade or so, bars such as Bear’s Place and Office Lounge have accumulated the standard karaoke classics for locals and students alike.
Emcee Jason Groth has entertained guests of all kinds at the Bluebird Nightclub stage for three years.
This week, Jake’s Nightclub incorporated two live band karaoke sets. Every Tuesday, timely and timeless country hits will be performed. Every other Wednesday, Rock ’N’ Roll Karaoke will bring back jams from the ’80s and ’90s.
For anyone who is not yet 21, restaurants such as Japonais and Sushi Bar feature karaoke during the weekends. Or, if students feel inclined to create a tradition in the comfort of their own homes, some Bloomington electronic stores provide karaoke machines.

The Bluebird Nightclub
When: Doors open at 9 p.m. Mondays
Cost: $1 cover
Started in January 2006, Monday night karaoke crowds at the Bluebird Nightclub vary from locals to bachelorette parties and in songs from Willie Nelson to Madonna.Jason Groth, emcee of Bluebird Karaoke for three years, said he doesn’t want performers to get angry if he subtly makes fun of their performance, or if he gets really sweaty before the night is over.
“It’s all part of the host’s job, right?” he said.
For Groth, a good karaoke performance must draw on pure confidence.
“Sometimes a good voice can push a karaoke performance over the top, but I’d rather see someone who is genuinely moved by the act of singing (or trying to sing) than someone with a trained voice who goes for the safe song,” he said.
The emcee also suggests people sign up to sing early, as he noted there are about 60 people in line during the busiest times, and it’s first come, first served.

Jake’s Live Band Karaoke
Jake’s inaugurated two new karaoke staples this week. These events are backed up by live bands.
Mustache Radio
When: 10:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Cost: $3 cover
In conjunction with Hoosier Country 105.1, the band Mustache Radio plays a wide assortment of country favorites. Artists range from Kid Rock to Sara Evans to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Rock ’N’ Roll Karaoke
When: 11 p.m. every other Wednesday
Cost: $1 cover
Supergroup Good E Nuff, consisting of members of local bands Busman’s Holiday, Prizzy Prizzy Please and Tammar play the hits of the ’80s and ’90s. For the event’s full song selection and for a chance to suggest upcoming tunes, go to www.myspace.com/livebandkaraokejakes.

The Office Lounge
When: 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: No cover charge
Bartender Molly Mehringer said karaoke at the Office Lounge is a tradition that surpasses her 10-year career at the bar.
Although the Lounge is not a student-oriented bar, she noted it offers a diverse group of local flavor. It is also not always jam-packed, the song selection is an accumulation over the past few years, and the actual karaoke machine belongs to the owner.

Not 21? Want to have your own karaoke experience?
DIY Karaoke
College Mall Radioshack Manager Crystal Selburg said the store just received two karaoke machines last week. She said this is because customers usually seek out the music machines as gifts around Christmas time.
Emerson CD-G
Price: $99.99
Comes with microphone, screens and speakers. iPod hookup, four CDs (100 songs)
Emerson Plug and Sing
Cost: $19.99
Comes with disc and microphone, one CD.
Compatible with Xbox, Xbox 360, DVD, Playstation PS2
Also available at Best Buy
GPX Karaoke Party
Machine
Cost: $42.99
GPX CD+G Karaoke System
Cost: $74.99
For coverage of Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke, check out www.idsnews.com/blogs/livebuzz.