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Killing them with karaoke
As a seasoned karaoke performer, Casebier says karaoke matters because people may be able to sing or perform and they didn't know it. On top of it, she says, if you are not scared to do it, others will laugh when you mess up but they laugh with you and not at you, because you're all in the same boat.
"Everyone comes out feeling like they had a good time. Some people never get to have the spotlight in real life. Karaoke gives them the spotlight," Casebier says. She says first time karaoke singers should do a song that they know forwards and
backwards. She also recommends that a few minutes before it's their turn they should take a shot of liquor. She says in no time they will be a karaoke pro without any "liquid courage."
Just pick a song and give it a try
Rob Drew, author of Karaoke Nights: An Ethnographic Rhapsody, began his love affair with karaoke after a rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now." He says before karaoke, there weren't a lot of opportunities for public singing. A lot of singing rituals and practices faded out early in the 20th century, partly because of technologies like the phonograph. He says that it used to be that amateur choruses were abundant in the United States and most homes had a parlor piano, but by the times the Roaring 20s came along, most people were content to get their music from records and radio. So, Drew says, karaoke is unique in that it's brought back singing, using the very technologies that led to the decline of singing in the first place. For karaoke virgins, Drew says don't take yourself too seriously and don't think too much of yourself, no matter what your abilities.
"In karaoke it's less important to be a great singer than to have the right attitude. Most karaoke bars have a very supportive atmosphere," Drew says.
As for what makes a good karaoke song, Drew pleads that first-timers don't sing anything to long.
"No 'Paradise City.' No Paradise by the Dashboard Light.' No paradise anything," Drew says.
Casebier also has opinions on what makes a good karaoke song. She
Aching to sing your heart out? Try these other Lawrence karaoke venues
Henry T's Bar & Grill 3520 W. Sixth St.,(785)749-2999 Karaoke every other Saturday
Quinton's Bar & Deli 615 Massachusetts St., (785) 842-6560, Karaoke one Monday a month, call for details
Duffy's Lounge (inside the Econo Lodge)
2222 W. Sixth St.,(785) 842-7030,
Karaoke every Monday or on request
says it matters more on the delivery of the song than what song you choose.
says it matters more on the delivery of the song than what song you choose. "For example, 'Again' was a successful one for me because I really could sing it the way Janet Jackson did. However, the song 'Strokin' I can't get to sound like the radio version, so I play with it by acting a little more goofy and getting into the song instead of worrying about perfection. People will listen to you sing if you just believe in how you are singing it," Casebier says. In other words a little confidence can lead the way to anyone's karaoke success. You just have to be willing to pick up the micronhone.
You just have to be willing to pick up the microphone.
black stuff and says she enjoys serving coffee rather than drinking it. She prefers sipping on a cup of Z's fine selection of teas instead opting to preserve her beautiful voice rather than drinking a cup of Joe.
Holly Wrensch
Her specialty drink is a Rocky Raccoon Frappé. It consists of a blended double-shot of espresso and half and half combined with chocolate, caramel and hazelnut syrups over ice.
Feeling the need for a little perk in your step? Stop by Z's Divine Espresso Downtown, 10 E. 9th St., and have friendly barista Holly Wrensch make you a drink. Wrensch has worked at Z's since last July and has since attracted quite a few caffeine-charged patrons.
If you're feeling something warmer for the cold holiday season, try one of her warm egg nog chai lattés.
Wrensch, from Marshfield, Wis., received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and then attained her master's degree from the University of Colorado. Wrensch recently received her doctorate in musical arts at KU as a classically trained vocalist.
Ironically, she stays clear of the
Rory Flynn
925 Iowa St.
The Pool Room
Though your dingy basement may seem like a rec room now that you added that secondhand ping-pong table, it's got nothing on The Pool Room, 925 Iowa St. Tucked discreetly behind The Merc, the bar is a drunk-gamer'sparadise, boasting arcade games, pinball, a dart board and two big-screen TVs. And, as the name implies, The Pool Room is chock-full of tables. The four professional-
size tables go for an hourly rate of $6 and games on the two-dozen smaller tables are 50 cents each; on most nights all pool is free after midnight. Stop by on a Thursday night, grab some greasy food from the kitchen, and enjoy one of the best almost-the-weekend specials in Lawrence: $2 imports!
- Dave Ruigh
12.01.05 Jayplay | G
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