Free Your Spirit at the 11th annual
WHOOP
&
HOLLAR
Folk Festival
Music. art. nature. community.
August 23 & 24, 2025 \\ Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Open Mic & Jam Nights
...brought to you in part by Ian's Hardware & Portage Legion Branch #65.
Thank you, sponsors!
WHEN? Last Fridays of the month, January to April 2025 (Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 28, Apr 25). Doors open at 7 pm; showtime 7:30 pm.
WHERE? Cedar Lounge (Royal Canadian Legion), 275 Duke Ave., Portage la Prairie
WHAT? Music. Comedy. Drama. Hip-Hop. Poetry. You name it! Welcome to Portage la Prairie's interactive live entertainment event - featuring you. An open mic, jam session, and social evening all rolled into one.
HOW? Sign up for the open mic here (registration will open in January), or show up at the venue to sign up while spots last. No registration required for the open jam session. Scroll down for more info.
In Partnership with Badlands Promotions, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65, Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co., & Visions of Independence Inc.,
Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival presents the Whoop & Hollar Open Mic & Jam Night, returning for its 6th season (Winter 2025)...
- Second Saturdays of the month, January to April:
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January 31, 2025 (Host: TBA)
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February 28, 2025 (Host: TBA)
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March 28, 2025 (Host: TBA)
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April 25, 2025 (Host: TBA)
DOORS/REGISTRATION: 7:00 pm
OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
OPEN JAM SESSION: 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm
(order and timing of events subject to change)
- Anything goes
- FREE (donations welcome)
- Food and beverage available for purchase
- Wheelchair-friendly access at north entrance of venue
- All are welcome; bring a friend
Come celebrate our community's emerging and seasoned artistic talent during a fun evening of local entertainment followed by an open jam session. Bring your instruments and voices for the jam!
Enjoy live music and artistic performances in an intimate setting. Feel free to drop by and perform at the open mic (see details below), participate in the jam, or just come and hang out. Each month, the event program will be hosted by a local musician who will also perform during the open mic.
WHAT IS AN OPEN MIC?
Short for "open microphone," an open mic is a live show at a small, public venue where any audience members who are emerging or established artists are given the opportunity to perform a short set onstage and share their talent with others. Networking with other musicians and the public is also a cool thing about open mics.
Each performance set is typically 10-15 minutes in length (or 3 pieces of material, whichever is shorter). Participants can showcase their artistic talent or original creative work from music to song, dance, comedy, theatre, visual art, hip hop, poetry, literature, and other art media. You never know what you're going to see or hear!
If you want to perform, please read the details below.
WHAT IS A JAM SESSION?
In this context, a jam session simply refers to playing music and singing with others, not doing a formal gig with professional musicians in front of an audience (although people are encouraged to come and listen to the jam). Participants take turns sharing one song at a time, in rotation.
It's a time for anyone to showcase their own music, play along to others' tunes, have fun, and create new sounds. Dancing is more than welcome!
WANT TO PERFORM? HERE'S HOW TO SIGN UP:
Open mic artists can sign up in advance by clicking here! Online registration takes place the week before each event. As always, you can sign up at the door if spots are still available, or participate in the jam if spots are filled.
***Artists interested in performing at the open mic are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7:00 pm showtime and will be called up to perform on a first come-first served basis. A host musician will emcee the open mic program.
Anyone wanting to participate in the jam session or attend as an audience member can arrive at any time between 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED?
If you are wishing to perform at the Open Mic, the provided equipment (courtesy of Badlands Promotions) will consist of a PA system with two speakers, three mics with stands, and cords.
Please supply all other equipment you will need for your performance.
There's also a piano on stage, which needs its ivories tickled every now and again.