Join us for the January installment of the Open Mic series in the MCA lobby and art gallery! This is our first event in 2026 - and we are excited to start this year with our artistic community! The January theme is “Borderline” — whether physical or less tangible, we encounter borderlines in life whenever we go from one place to another, one stage to the next, one way of being to the following. We get to explore the borderline of where we end and something else begins. Perhaps we lived in one place and went out of our comfort zone to create a new life. Or, we danced on the edge of reality on the borderline of this and other worlds. Who knows what new talents we'll discover this time? 

Our host for the night will be one of our long-time audience members, Grey Black who is dedicated to enriching the lives of the community through arts. We are especially excited to announce that this month’s feature is a new local band brought to us by our old friend Jeff Wang of Model Peril Sounds, dedicated performer and supporter of our artistic events since the early days of Open Mic. His new band is called Cautionary Tale, and it’s an exciting mixture of six musicians from around the Boston area, emerging to give you a night of post rock vibes and tales of woe and warning.

The event is general admission, with some tables for sitting, some tables for standing, and maybe even a bit of a dance floor. Sign up to perform or come and enjoy the show on Wednesday, January 14. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and beer, wine, canned cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase in our MBar throughout the show. Music starts at 7:30 PM!

Important note: Sign-ups open on Friday, January 2 at 10:00 AM!

If you performed at this Open Mic in the past please fill out THE SIGN-UP FORM FOR RETURNING PARTICIPANTS (opens on January 2) and make sure to include accurate contact info. If you are new to this Open Mic, please fill out THE SIGN-UP FORM FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS (opens on January 2) and make sure to include accurate contact info. If you didn't sign up on time, no worries - just send us an email at yourfriend.openmic@gmail.com and we will add you to the ongoing waiting list (there is a good chance that things can move around).

THE SIGN-UP FORM FOR RETURNING PARTICIPANTS 
THE SIGN-UP FORM FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS 

A Note on Community-Supported Pricing:

We believe that everyone should have access to the arts, regardless of financial circumstance. Our Community-Supported Pricing model invites you to contribute at a level that feels right for you.

Hey First Row Friend 
Grab your ticket for $0 if your budget is a little tight this month.

Hey Backstage Supporter 
$10 is the standard admission price. 

Hey Spotlight Superstar
Paying $20 means you’re not just attending — you’re lighting up the stage for those who need help attending the show. Thanks for going above and beyond!
 

This event is a recipient of the 2025 grant funding by the Watertown Cultural Council, and we are profoundly grateful for their support of our local creative community, within our project and beyond.