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Brooklyn Conservatory Invites Amateurs to Perform at 'Open Stage' Nights

 Musicians of all ages and styles are invited to strut their stuff before a live audience.
Brooklyn Conservatory Invites Amateurs to Perform at 'Open Stage' Nights
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PARK SLOPE — Calling all ivory ticklers, axe shredders, horn blowers and crooners.

Musicians who want to test their performing chops in front of a live audience are invited to participate in the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music's new "Open Stage" series.

The monthly events will showcase the talents of anyone brave enough to step into the spotlight in the Conservatory's 200-seat concert hall on Seventh Avenue and Lincoln Place.

"We decided that the neighborhood needed an open mic series, a showcase for aspiring musicians where they can perform in front of a community of musicians," said Conservatory spokeswoman Arlene Kriv.

Unlike open mic nights at bars, this one throws the performer into a real concert-style situation. "It's on a actual stage, you're performing in front of an audience — you're not just in a restaurant where you might be in a corner somewhere," Kriv said.

The concerts will also be streamed live on the Internet, so friends and relatives out of state can watch the performances.

Musicians of all ages and styles are welcome, and each performer gets 10 minutes of stage time, or two songs, whichever comes first. Performers will have access to Conservatory equipment, including a drum set, piano and guitar.

Original or improvisational works are encouraged, but covers are allowed as well.

"The nice thing about open mic is that it's very loose, in the sense that people can perform all kinds of things," Kriv said. "You can be surprised, and it can be much more creative than a standard recital."

The monthly series launches Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. with a night of performances by adults. The first night of teen performances is on Sunday Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, and people who buy in advance get one free ticket.