It was Memorial Day Monday, and I was aching for some music. A glance through the San Diego Reader revealed that Mondays are popular days for Open Mic nights. Where better to go for an Open Mic night in San Diego than Lestat’s?
Lestat’s opened in 1997 (yes, 20 years ago!) and is named after Anne Rice’s vampire Lestat. Think Tom Cruise in Interview with The Vampire. You’ll find three locations (Hillcrest, Park Avenue and Adams Avenue) but the best known cultural hub is found on Adams, spread between three sprawling “rooms.” If this is your first time to the music venue, you might need instructions. First, walk past the guitar-laden slightly-nervous-looking-crowd standing on the sidewalk, and enter under the huge “Lestat’s” sign. This is where you get your grub. Proceed to the back, and order a piping hot cup of tea and a vegan oat bar (heaven!) Pop your head into the adjoining room to your left, only to realize it is PACKED with 20-somethings with their noses buried in laptops. Where is the music, you ask? Well, make sure you asked for that tea “to go”, exit back onto the sidewalk, and make a U turn to your left. You’ll squeeze between guitars and ukuleles, and into an unassuming darkened room spilling sweet harmonies onto the street. You have arrived.
Lestat’s West is a cozy little room, with a stage at the far end facing rows of folding chairs and round tables. Around 6:30pm, artists are assigned time slots via a lottery for performances between 7 and 11ish. Each performer gets 10 minutes or 2 songs before they are ushered off stage for the next act. The audience is an eclectic mix of artists waiting to perform, their friends and family, a Mohawk, one feathered hat, and a few misfits who popped in for a few tunes, like myself.
The night was an amazing menagerie. A young girl on a ukulele stole the show as I was arriving, followed by a comedian, and an awesome band Fashion Jackson who may look underage but their music surpasses their appearance by decades. Add to that Luis who was the lead vocalist for his own prerecorded mariachi band. Then a few heart wrenching Emo tunes on the piano. And a chick who belted Alicia Keys like it was her jam. Some performers make regular appearances, while others were there for their first time. In terms of a chill Monday night sipping a cup of tea, this was an awesome spot to hear up and coming artists in San Diego. And special thanks to Chad who joined the fun midway, and confessed his love for Mariachi music. You’re a trooper. Cheers San Diego!