SOAP LAKE — It’s 5:30 p.m. and 11-year-old Jimmy Ocampo is singing “Die with a Smile” in front of an audience of about 25 people. He’s the fourth performer to take the stage in the last half hour, and there’s a long waiting list after him. It’s Open Mic Night, and the sky’s the limit.
“It’s great to see who shows up,” said Genevieve Gray, who was taking a break from running the karaoke setup Friday. “We had a guitarist that’s come from Blue Lake, and he brings his acoustic guitar, and he plays songs. We’ve had a piano player. We’ve had someone do a theater improv skit, where he made up an idea and he developed the audience. It changes all the time. We’ve had karate demonstrations and stuff … Every Friday night is different, depending on who’s here, what people are performing. It’s like a variety show.”
Open Mic Night happens from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday at the Soap Lake Community Center. Or at least it’s supposed to end at 7…