Maui Sugar Mill Saloon Presents: Weekly Soapbox Sessions Open Mic Night

A Night of Live Music, Poetry and Comedy at a Small Tarzana Venue

After the first performance Jerome Anderson who is the Producer and host of the Soap Box Open Mic, Gives an announcement about tonights artist lineup and bar rules.Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Los Angeles, on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

Greg Borssius (Pianist) is first to take stage at the open mic playing his upbeat jazzy sougs on the panio at Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Los Angeles, on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

Ina a local comic who talks about a brighter outlook on her grey hair, and also elaborates on how we all personify cats. Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Los Angeles, on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

Local comic by the name of A.WON surprisingly stops his set for a few seconds to poses for the camera then return back to the crowd.Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Los Angeles, on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

Troy Richardson (left) and Ursula Larry (right) a country duo called "Trucker Bomb" takes stage at the Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Performing three melodic country songs. on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

John Corvelle a country singer and guitarist from the state Florida attends the Soap Box Open Mic at the Maui Sugar Mills Saloon to performs six of his very own songs. Maui Sugar Mills Saloon, Los Angeles, on March, Tuesday 14, 2023. (Alejandro Contreras | The Corsair)

On Tuesday, March 14, Maui Sugar Mill Saloon (MSMS) held its weekly open mic night. Soapbox Sessions Open Mic (SSOM) is hosted and produced by Jerome Anderson and features a mix of live music, poetry and stand-up comedy.

“I always hope that people can come in, have a good time and get a chance to showcase their talent.” Anderson said.

Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is located at 18389 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356. There is no entry fee, but every customer has to buy a minimum of two drinks.

While most of the performers are locally based, many out of state talents make an appearance. Musician John Corvelle travels to Tarzana all the way from Florida at least once a year just to be a part of SSOM.

“About four years ago, I was here, and I met Ursula [Larry] and some of the other guys playing here tonight. And Troy Richardson. And I stayed in touch with them and I come out maybe once a year to go see their band.” Corvelle said.

Troy Richardson and Ursula Larry performed as a duo titled “Trucker Bomb”. They played three soft, acoustic country numbers while accompanying themselves on unplugged electric guitars.

The performances begin around 8 p.m. The first artist was a pianist named Greg Borssius who played peppy, jazzy tunes on piano with a supporting track in the background. He performed two songs, and once he was done the audience broke into applause. As Borssius was leaving the stage, Anderson came up to introduce himself and the rest of the performers for the night. As he concluded his speech, Anderson listed the three rules that apply to every single SSOM. The rules are as follows: musicians get two songs, comedians and poets get five minutes, there is a two drink minimum and everyone should have fun!

For the next few hours the crowd was amused by acoustic music performances, stand-up comedy acts and poetry readings. Ina Romeo, a small African-American comedian joked about how her newly gray hair is finally giving her white privilege. Romeo also stated that even though she enjoys going to the gym, she worries about not being around long enough to enjoy her membership.

At 9:30 p.m, Corvelle took the stage. He played a total of six country songs that have a bluesy feel to them. For his very last tune, “Trucker Bomb” joined him on stage and performed a slow, acoustic melody.

After Corvelle finished his set, a few more musicians and stand-up comics entertained the crowd until around 1 a.m. Everyone has until 2 o'clock to hang around and chat; then the venue closes down for the night. The live music entertainment will continue Wednesday night, March 15, with a set of country music performances.