Stepping up to the mic… Friends of Bonnie Kate give anyone a chance to take the stage
Published 6:00 am Monday, August 12, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Ozone Rangers closed out another great evening of Open Mic Night at the Bonnie Kate.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders It was a great night of music as The Ozone Rangers were enjoyed by those who came out to Open Mic Night at the Bonnie Kate Theater.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Friends of the Bonnie Kate put on another great night of Open Mic as Ozone Rangers closed out the night of entertainment.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Ozone Rangers perform their opening number for Open Mic Night at the Bonnie Kate on Thursday.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
Without doubt, anyone that has passed the Bonnie Kate Theater in downtown Elizabethton has looked up at the marquee and send a great list of older movies that will be playing at the theater.
However, there is one line on the marquee that says ‘Open Mic’ that many have scratched their heads in wonderment of what this could be as it is held on every Thursday evening.
The answer is a simple one as the Friends of Bonnie Kate opens the theater’s doors for anyone that would like to perform musically, read poetry, tell stories, or anything that falls in line with family-friendly entertainment.
“We started here in May,” stated Karen Hitchcock who along with her husband, Tom, oversee the Open Mic Night. “We were doing it at Blue River Studio before that until we outgrew Blue River Studio and needed to move to a bigger location for more room and to hopefully help the Bonnie Kate too.”
Performers are asked to come by at 6 pm and sign up in 15-minute increments to allow everyone to share. The last hour has a featured performer.
“Word goes between people and its not just musicians. We had an international storyteller that will be back here in a couple of weeks,” Hitchcock said.
Recently a musical group from Nashville took the stage to provide entertainment. Some nights the list fills quickly as performers come from all around the region to participate on the stage of the iconic theater that has been a huge part of the Elizabethton community for many, many years.
“ We hope to help by bringing more people in here to make them aware of the Bonnie Kate and to help them raise more funds to restore it,” Hitchcock said of why the Open Mic Night is very important. “We are trying to get more special events in here, maybe ticketed events.”
No one gets paid as volunteers man the concession stand offering popcorn, cold drinks, and candy to enjoy during the performance.
Those who want to enjoy the evening are not charged to come in but donations are asked to help ensure that the restoration of the theater can remain ongoing to keep the theater alive and well for generations to come.
More information can be found on Facebook at blueriverstudiollc@gmail.com.
