Ah, The Places I've Been
Ah, my first 23 performances. What a good time. Who knows what my next 23 will be like? As of the writing of this page, I have performed at a total of 8 different venues. Wow !:!:!:!:!
My latest performance schedule
Previous Performance Results:
Sunday, May 4, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: Ah, I had a great time. I am quite close to having a few more rappers record tracks over some of my beats, so that is always exciting. I did Not Wanted, and the EoW hosts added their own special version of the chorus, which was pretty funny. I could definitely see many smiles in the crowd. The one bad thing was that I had gotten lazy and somehow thought I could make do by only bringing like 40 or so CDs. Well, I quickly gave them all away, and then I had no more to hand out! So tonight, I'm staying up super late to make enough for tomorrow night's gig at The Sidewalk Cafe. I was particularly happy tonight, because when I was leaving, this incredibly talented rapper gave me props and said that he had checked out my website (ie., *this* website), so that was awesome! Ah, I love the fraternity of the rap world.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Monday, April 28, 8pm -- NYC, Sidewalk Cafe
Open Mic
RESULTS: I like the Sidewalk. This night, I was less shy, and actually talked to a number of the other people there. They are all cool people! I performed Feels Good (with the fun lyrics) and 7 HP, the one-two punch which of course got the people going crazy. I also have developed a new strategy called "giving out free CDs before I perform". I realized, why should I sit and watch people leave, and not give them CDs, simply because they hadn't seen me on stage. Even though some people look at me like I'm handing them something not exciting, many people's faces would light up when I gave it to them, and that made me feel good!
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at the NE corner of Ave A and 6 St.
Sunday, April 27, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak MC Challenge #18
RESULTS: This week, I joined the EoW street team, which was very exciting, because I got to see some "behind-the-scenes" action and hopefully help run the show, some manner or another. Not by hosting it or anything, but by giving out flyers, putting up posters, and helping build up the air of excitement, because believe me, I absolutely love End of the Weak and all that it stands for. It is great! This was a special MC Challenge. I did not take part in the competition itself, but I dropped one power cypher verse to warm up the crowd. It was the first verse of Enemy Lines, which I've only just begun writing. The show, of course, was hot. Q Unique from The Arsonists was there, as well as the drummer of The Dusted Dons.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Wednesday, April 23, 8pm -- NYC, Infrared Lounge
Open Stage
RESULTS: Jamie Stellini's open stage was all that. There were guitars, amps, a bass, drums, and mics ready to be performed on. When it was my turn, before I actually started singing and rapping, one guy said,"I already know this is going to be good." Word! Afterwards, he asked for my autograph on the demo CD I gave to him. Wow, that was the first autograph I had given in over 8 years (when I autographed "Scoe" on a napkin for someone eating at a restaurant I was working at as a busboy.. they hadn't even seen me rap, but they were impressed after hearing me talk about myself as a rapper).
For directions, check out the directions page of The Infrared Lounge's website.
Monday, April 21, 9pm -- NYC, The Underground Lounge
Open Mic
RESULTS: The UL always comes through for me! Since I was in the neighborhood, I got to start out the evening by picking up various music-related goods from friends' apartments. Then, I headed into the Lounge. People enjoyed my stuff, and I gave away lots of CDs. One guy was buying drinks for other patrons, so I let him buy me one. Hey, why not? At the end of the night, I talked to a really cool guy about making music and such, so that was fun. yay. --socetew
Take the 1-9 subway to 103 or 110 St.
It's on the SW corner of 106 and Broadway.
Sunday, April 20, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: I did 7 HP, the same track I had done the previous night at NPC, except this time, the crowd went crazy wild. I love the hosts, because they hype up my music like crazy. "Yes!!!" They know it's all kind of a joke, but for me, it's dead serious, too. Some people in the audience told me that my flows have improved, so that was good to hear. I gave out a bunch of CDs... hopefully, more people will decide to buy my beats. Also, I had a great time busting out some of my verses and freestyles with a bunch of people outside while waiting in line to get in. For the reference, 7 HP is a song about how great I am, but it's different from other such songs, because I use RPG terminology, so it's tough in a really dorky way. When I hit the stage, I put on my wizard hat, and people totally bugged out for that. Check out End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Saturday, April 19, 9:30pm -- NYC, Nuyorican Poets Cafe
WORDS Open Mic
RESULTS: The crowd was kind of dead tonight. People in the back were talking amongst themselves during most of the featured acts, even though I personally thought that those on the stage were quite talented. When I finished my verse, nobody asked for my CD... maybe I hadn't made it clear enough that I was giving them out for free. However, I did run into some people who remembered me from previous performances, and they showed me lots of love, and some of them asked for demo CDs as they were leaving, so that was really cool. Also, I sold a beat today, which always brings some cheer (and income). Check The Nuyorican Poets Cafe's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU or the FV train to Lower East Side 2nd Ave, then walk East.
It's located at 236 East 3rd St., between Avenues B and C.
Monday, April 14, 8pm -- NYC, Sidewalk Cafe
Open Mic
RESULTS: I got there at about 7:20pm and didn't get to perform until about 2:30am, so there was a decent amount of waiting. But hey, I did Be Mine for the first time in NYC, and the 7 people who were still there seemed to have a good time. The first time I was here, it seemed like I was waiting for a long time. Even though I waited even longer this time, it didn't seem as long, since I'm getting used to long waits, plus I ordered some food earlier on in the evening. One person asked me which elements I was made of.. I think she thought by "elemental wizard", I was referencing the periodic table of elements. No, it simply means that I am the master of fire, earth, wind and water. Yeah. I also met Dibbs, who will be performing right before me at the Sidewalk Cafe on May 20. He was cool.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at the NE corner of Ave A and 6 St.
Sunday, April 13, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: Yo, I had a good time. Lots of cats showed me love and happily took my free demo CDs. I did Funny Feeling over my hot new beat, and people ate it up like candy. I got there at 7:25 and didn't get to sign up on the list until about 9:50, so the waiting was quite intense, but it was certainly worth it. An interesting thing is that during this performance, I seem to have gained the capability to spit for incredibly long periods of time without taking a breath. I don't know how that happened, but that skill sure came in handy! Plus I let loose a little bit and danced funky on the stage, so that made things fun, too. Word up, over and out. Check out End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Friday, April 11, 8:30pm -- NYC, Downtime
RAINation Talent Showcase
RESULTS: My second time I didn't actually get to perform. So that makes my record of actual performances to duds 14-2, which ain't half bad. The main confusion is that I had thought Adeo had invited me back to perform, but he had only invited me back to attend. So, there you go. The good part is that I ran into this cool guy who had first spotted my website then met me at Pyramid (see two results below), and he happened to be doing some hip hop at the establishment next door to Downtime. Small world, hunh? Check RAINation's website for the venue's official title.
Take the 1-9 subway to 28th Street.
It's located at 251 West 30th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues.
Monday, April 7, 8pm -- NYC, Sidewalk Cafe
Open Mic
RESULTS: It was great! I got there at around 7:45pm, and I didn't hit the stage until 1:30am. The four and a half hours of folk music (plus one rapper named Timothy Dark [[not to be confused with my "man" Timothy Dwight]]) was all worth sitting through, because when I did my thing, the guy running the open mic said that he wanted to book me to perform there! Yay! So, I'm thrilled. Don't get me wrong.. I enjoyed all of the music; it's just that I got kind of tense as the hours rolled by and I still hadn't yet hit the stage, and the audience dwindled away.. but those people who left had no idea what they were missing, so it's not their fault. I did H but H for the first time in NYC, which I think is a pretty big accomplishment. People really dug it and had a good time. I think they just all get taken by surprise and are shocked at what the power of a bit of wizardry can do. Ah, thank goodness for the love of magic. Props also to my man Dave for coming through on the phone.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at the NE corner of Ave A and 6 St.
Sunday, April 6, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: I had a good time. Some funny things happened. I saw this one guy, and he was like,"Hey, I think I went to your website." He recognised my face from the picture on the front page of this site. And he said that he found Elemental Wizardry online because he was searching for different hot hip hop spots, and he came across this page in particular! Well, there you go. This was the night that I kicked my first freestyle at EoW. I got a bit excited and confused when I first took the mic, because I started out my verse by rapping about almost having sex with a woman, but then I looked and thought it was gross, but then she went to the hospital with a tonsil infection and then had a baby that wasn't mine, or something.
After that, fortunately, I was able to maneuver to more familiar topics, such as: playing video games on my SNES; being a computer programmer; having my own website--I even spelled out the URL!!; how I love to talk nonesense, but call it "philosophy;" how I don't want to get signed by a record label, because I know my debut album won't sell a lot of copies until a get a big fan base; and also of course, how I make awesome beats and want people to buy them from me. I love the three hosts Zoo, Vice and Pro for totally hyping me up on stage, as well as Callabras, Scram, Mike, Nonezeo, Doug, James and everyone else who runs the show, plus everybody in the audience. Everyone has shown me nothing but love, and I really appreciate that. Thank you, world! As usual, I gave out plenty of free demo CDs. Check out End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Monday, March 31, 8pm -- NYC, The Underground Lounge
Open Mic
RESULTS: My longest performance in NYC yet. I hit the stage early in the show, when there were only about 6 people there. They definitely were into it. One of the people said that I was really amazing, so that made me happy. I then performed again at the end, after an additional five or so people came in. The two people who had seen my first set and were still there clapped as I walked to the stage, so that was a good sign. I gave away CDs to everyone there, so that was around 10 or CDs I gave out, which is one of my better records! All in all, a good night! Plus I think I'll be able to pull off going to bed before 4am for the first time in 5 days!!! Love, eocs
Take the 1-9 subway to 103 or 110 St.
It's on the SW corner of 106 and Broadway.
Sunday, March 30, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: People definitely went crazy for me here! I debuted my brand new track, I'm That, where I claim to be the absolute worst rapper out there. It was self-deprecating rap at it's best. People really liked my self-produced beats and a lot of them decided they were really going to go through with calling me up, meeting with me and starting something big by having me produce their next track. So, that was exciting. I gave away over 20 CDs and ran out, so the next day, I spent all day burning and labelling more. Fun stuff! Check out End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Sunday, March 16, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: Heads definitely showed some respect. I gave away a few more of my demo CDs, as usual. One hot thing that I had thought was true, but wasn't sure, but now I'm positive, because I checked with Prolific Wone, is that the guy who regularly performs here going by the name of Agallar really is THE Adolf "8-Off" Agallah. I have two CDs with him on it: my Tony Touch CD, as well as my Das EFX CD--there, he is listed as Angel "8-Off" Aguilar, but it must be the same guy. I am totally excited, because it's awesome to hear at a live venue the voice I've listened to for so long on CD. So, he's really famous; he's been on countless other hip hop albums, including Grand Theft Audio, apparently. You go, 8-Off. Do your thing. Also, I ran into some talented emcees that I had met the night before at Nuyorican, so that was pretty cool. Check End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Saturday, March 15, 9:30pm -- NYC, Nuyorican Poets Cafe
WORDS Open Mic
RESULTS: UnReal and I TORE IT UP!!! It was pretty intense, because they started out with about 5 hired acts that performed for about 20-30 minutes each, so the open mic portion didn't begin until around 1am. But once it was our time to shine, we stepped up to the stage, gave props to the band and the MCs, and then we just let our lyrics fly left and right. People were going crazy when we finished. I gave away so many free demo CDs afterward--over 20--that I ran out. Today, I'll have to chill in the lab and make like 40 more CDs so that I won't let that happen again. Some people there said they wanted us to perform at their clubs at some point, so we'll see where that goes! Mad props to our friends Arthur and Miriam for attending the show and cheering us on. Check The Nuyorican Poets Cafe's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU or the FV train to Lower East Side 2nd Ave, then walk East.
It's located at 236 East 3rd St., between Avenues B and C.
Thursday, March 13, 7pm -- NYC, Knitting Factory
Fat Beats New Generation “Rap” Talent Search contest
RESULTS: After waiting around for almost a month, I finally got to hit the stage of The Knitting Factory and go all crazy-like for about 2 minutes. It was pretty cool. I was basically the only one of the 18 contestants who was not a thug rapper. My buddy Tavia showed up, so that was neat to see him. I got a prize packet for participating, and it included J-Zone's CD, which made me very happy, because I am a big J-Zone fan (or, as a pro-wrestling fan would say, a J-Zone "mark"). It was postponed from its original date of February 17 due to snow. Check The Knitting Factory's website for the venue's official title.
For directions, check out the directions page of The Knitting Factory's website.
Monday, March 10, 9:30pm -- NYC, The Underground Lounge
Open Mic
RESULTS: Well, now I know what this particular open mic is all about! It was a nice, cozy little location. There were about 8 people there at a time, and every person there put on a performance, whether it was reading a stories or poetry, or singing and playing guitar, as well as stand-up comedy. I was the only person who rapped, but still they seemed to enjoy it, and I did my more mellow, philosophical raps, including Wistful Breeze and Funny Feeling. There was no CD player, so I did them a capella, as though they were rhythmic poems. One of the people who took one of my free demo CDs told me that next time, I should just bring a CD Discman and an adapter to plug into the guitar chord that was on stage. Sounds like a good idea to me. Wow, I've never bought a CD player before, but it does seem like a good thing for a performer like me to own, and now, I finally have an excuse. Plus I have tons of AA batteries that I bought to use for my GBA, and I can now use them for the CD player that I get instead. Fun! --eocs
Take the 1-9 train to 103rd or 110th St.
It's located at 107th and Broadway.
Sunday, March 9, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: I had a great time! It was really gratifying, because I ran into some cats that I had given my demo CD to a few weeks back, and they said they were really feeling my tracks. Many really liked Work/Play, which happened to be the track I had chosen to perform that night. Man, when I hit the stage, the roof blew up. Or at least that's what happened in my mind. The building probably didn't ACTUALLY fall apart, but I was just ready to tear up the stage and let people know how much I hate doing work and love playing games. I gave out more CDs, and some more people wanted to work with my beats. We'll see who the first taker is. I might work out a few verses back and forth with this guy Vito at some point. Check End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Friday, March 7, 8:30pm -- NYC, Downtime
New Jerusalem Sun Concert/Talent Showcase
RESULTS: This gig was amazing!! First of all, it was the first non-open mic gig I did in NYC. Secondly, the audience ate my music up!! I think it was a result of the combination that I look and act a lot differently from all the other MCs, so it's a breath of fresh air. Secondly, my beats and rhymes are tight! Plus, you can't mess with my smile and my relentless positivity. A bunch of cats came up to me afterwards wanting to work with me and have me produce them, so we'll see how that goes down. Two guys even bought me drinks; don't get it twisted, they were just being social. I just love the whole culture of handshakes and hugs. It doesn't get much better than that.. Downtime is a hot club, so it was awesome to be there. Check New Jerusalem Sun's website for the venue's official title.
Take the 1-9 subway to 28th Street.
It's located at 251 West 30th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues.
Sunday, March 2, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: EoW is great! This time, I showed up with my buddy UnReal, and we flowed back and forth. We both kicked verses that we had written the day before, and I spit mine while looking into my pad, so that I wouldn't forget, and then UnReal started freestyling halfway through. People totally ate it up! I think we had a good onstage chemistry together, and it will only get even better once we memorize our words :-) Check End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Sunday, February 16, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: I got there so early.. around 7:40pm. No one else was there at first, and I froze my toes off waiting! Once I finally got inside and away from the cold outdoors, I had an awesome time. People really liked the beat that I made to rap over, so I will hopefully start hawking my beats at The Dojo, which is the End of the Weak's studio. I just have to finish recording some more beats and making a demo CD to give to the guys at the studio. It was fun there. I gave away some CDs to people in the audience plus to some people afterwards in the subway. Check End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Sunday, January 19, 9:30pm -- NYC, Pyramid
End of the Weak Open Mic
RESULTS: I had a blast!!! When I got there at 8:45, people were spittin' freestyles outside while waiting to get in. The action continued inside almost nonstop until 12:45. I just paid only $5 to watch 4 hours of hot hip hop! That alone was cool. The icing was that I got a chance to do one of my own songs. When I first got up on stage, people were a bit hesitant to give me props, but once I started performing my track Feels Good, they all quieted down and started smiling and bouncing. I was sure to let people know that I had produced the background myself in my own studio and that I was giving away free demo CDs. Since almost no one else was singing, then I freestyled during the chorus instead of doing my best Usher impression. After I got off the stage, a good amount of people came up to me to ask for the CDs! Hopefully at some point down the line, I will start liscensing my beats to people (for a fee) and my name will spread. Only time will tell. Check End of the Weak's website for more details about the open mic itself.
Take the NRW train to 8th St./NYU, then walk East.
It's located at 101 Ave A, between 6 & 7 St.
Tuesday, January 14, 11pm -- NYC, SX137
Open Mic
RESULTS: Nothing. I showed up and waited for a few hours, but then nobody showed up, and eventually a lady told me that they had no mics. Had it happened, I would have had 5 minutes to perform one of my songs over my own background, and I'm sure people would have gone crazy and loved my music. As it was, I gave the guy running the open mic one of my music demo packets, and he told me to come back again next week, or whenever I returned to NYC. I guess I will.
Take the F train to Delancy/Essex St.
It's located at 137 Essex St (get it? SX137? ha ha), between Stanton and Rivington Streets.
Monday, January 13, 11pm -- NYC, Sin Sin/Leopard Lounge
Open Mic
RESULTS: I got to meet and listen to a few totally skillful emcees rip up the mic. My friend Melissa came to check me out, so it was good to get a chance to hang out with her. I gave a few demo CDs away to those who asked for them. It was nice to hear some live NYC MCs work the crowd and experience a freestyle open mic session. Even though I got there before 9pm, it didn't start for real until about 11:10pm. We rapped over a live funk band consisting of a bassist, drummer, guitarist and bongo player.
Take the F train to Houston, or else the N R W or 6 to Astor Pl.
It's located at 248 E 5 St, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
My latest performance schedule
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Have a drab day.
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