WEDNESDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC.

By MEGAN GATLINPUBLISHED: December 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM PST

On Wednesday nights in Monte Rio, when the fog settles low and the winter quiet begins to creep into town, the Monte Rio Theater & Extravaganza lights up with music, laughter and the kind of community warmth that makes this place special. Every week from 6 to 10 p.m., the Musical Instrument Library and the Rio Theater host a free open mic that has quickly become a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

The setup is simple but impressive: a real stage, fully equipped instruments and sound ready to go the moment someone steps up. What happens next is always anyone’s guess, and that’s part of the charm. Performers range from seasoned musicians to brave first-timers, and the variety is half the fun. One minute the room fills with a soulful classic, something in the spirit of Louis Armstrong or Otis Redding, and the next, the amps are cranked up for a burst of rock and roll, covering bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the White Stripes or Radiohead.

Some nights drift into loose, joyful jam sessions with no agenda at all. Other nights feature poets, comedians or kids who can’t wait to feel what it’s like to stand under real stage lights. There’s a refreshing unpredictability in the lineup, and yet the energy is always the same: welcoming, encouraging and unmistakably Monte Rio.

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Last week, a newcomer stepped up and admitted, voice a little shaky, that it was his first time ever performing on a real stage. Before he could strum his first chord, the room erupted in cheers and genuine support from a community that remembers what it feels like to try something new. By the end of his song, he was glowing. Afterward he said he’d never felt so instantly at home anywhere else. Moments like that happen here every week.

Many performers return again and again, turning Wednesday nights into a kind of creative reunion. Regulars greet each other like old friends, swap tips, share instruments and often end up collaborating on the fly. Visitors passing through town are welcomed just the same; it’s not unusual for someone who only planned to watch to end up singing by the end of the night, or someone who was driving through town to pop in with their guitar.

And in true local fashion, last week someone even brought pizza to share for donations to the Rio, slices devoured quickly. It’s not fancy, but that’s the point. The open mic is as grassroots and genuine as the community that keeps it going.

Winter in a small town can feel long and quiet, but there are no plans to slow down these Wednesday gatherings. The open mic continues rain or shine, all season long and into 2026. So if you’re looking for something to do, somewhere to feel connected or a stage to try out a song you’ve been tinkering with, Monte Rio has a place for you.

By MEGAN GATLINPUBLISHED: December 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM PST

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/12/03/monte-rios-weekly-open-mic-keeps-the-winter-blues-away/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOmtElleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeMsS2U-K1ZUEIaWmz3G4N2yRrnEO5bZ-XA3HPg4s-znI9Nl-Qc7RCQvK2ZkE_aem_CG41X5vRMNXVfmsw3PtGBw

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