Five Bands for $5
Where:
the 8x10
When:
Doors open 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Stage time:
45 minutes per band
Info:
Each band must buy 35 advance tickets for $3 each. The club supplies basic promotional fliers and Web site banners.
Contact:
E-mail your MySpace site or Web site and contact information to co-owner Brian Shupe at 5for5@the8x10.com or mail press kits to The 8x10, 10 E. Cross St. Baltimore 21230
98 Rock's Noise in the Basement Live
Where:
Fletcher's, 701 S. Bond St.
When:
Doors open at 8 p.m. Mondays
Stage time:
About 40 minutes
Info:
This program, which spotlights rock, funk and emo bands, is also a proving ground for regular gigs at Fletcher's and the Recher Theatre. No advance tickets needed.
Contact:
Host Matt Davis prefers bands to stop by, introduce themselves and drop off their press kits in person. Or, message him at myspace.com/mattdavisdj, e-mail him at mattdavis@hearst.com or mail press kits to Matt Davis, 3800 Hooper Ave., Baltimore 21211.
Local Spotlight
Where:
Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson
When:
Doors open at 6 p.m. Sundays
Stage time:
40 minutes
Info:
This is a larger local showcase for bands with a growing local fan base. Each band must buy 100 advance tickets for $5 apiece.
Contact:
E-mail booking agent Will McCrory at will@24-7booking.com. He will call you back and send you a form to fill out.
Lo-Fi Social Club
Where:
3403 S. Hanover St.
Info:
Founder Neil Freebairn tries to answer every booking inquiry, and the venue books a steady stream of artists and local bands.
Contact:
E-mail bookings@lofisocialclub.com or send a message to myspace.com/lofisocialclub. Artists can e-mail curator@lofisocialclub.com.
The Ottobar's open-mike nights
Where:
2549 N. Howard St.
When:
Usually once a month. Check theottobar.com.
Info:
About seven or eight bands play each open mike. However, co-owner Craig Boarman said sometimes they look for local bands to fill gaps in the lineup.
Contact:
E-mail booking@theottobar.com or message the venue at myspace.com/theottobar.
Sonar
Where:
407 E. Saratoga St.
Info:
Owner Lonnie Fisher said the club looks for local bands to help round out its national shows - anywhere from four to 10 per month.
Contact:
E-mail steezpromo@aol.com.
Red House Tavern's open-mike nights
Where:
2239 Essex St.
When:
8 p.m. Mondays
Info:
First-come, first-served. Owner John Harris often recruits good bands for regular gigs.
Contact:
Bring a press kit to the open mike.
Sidebar Tavern
Where:
218 E. Lexington St.
Info:
Books well-known local bands as headliners and lesser-known Baltimore acts as openers semi-regularly.
Contact:
E-mail sidebarbooking@gmail.com.
Brass Monkey Saloon's open-mike nights
Where:
1601 Eastern Ave.
When:
8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Info:
The open mike can be a gateway to more regular gigs. The club also books new local bands several months in advance.
Contact:
Send a message to myspace.com/brassmonkeysaloon.