For a long time, open mic nights have been a way for new artists to try out new songs and get used to playing in front of people. What about when they’re ready to step it up?
The Showcase is a monthly concert series at Roger Bar and Restaurant at the Ameswell Hotel in Mountain View. Its goal is to give both new singers and concertgoers a better experience.
Every month on the first Friday, Maleli Raiyawa and Rafael de Ausen (also known as Rafael Unplugged, whose names include Clique SF and Sets in the City) put on shows.
Raiyawa said that the series is a step up from regular open mic nights and is made for artists who are getting better at their craft and building their confidence. So, it’s a carefully planned concert; Raiyawa books four to five featured acts for 20-minute sets each night and talks to each of them after their sets.
“In the South Bay, there are many open mics.” Raiyawa said, “Our plan for (The Showcase) was to make something next level.” “It’s hard to find places for people to play for longer than five minutes or for singer-songwriters from the area to gain attention.”
He said that the shows at the Ameswell are “a pipeline from the open mic proper to us, which is a little more of a showcase invitational.”
There is still an open mic at the very beginning of the night. People can book short sets ahead of time as part of the soundcheck, which starts at 6 p.m. and includes setting up the lights and high-quality sound system for the main event.
Raiyawa and de Ausen are both musicians and good friends. They have both been very involved in the local music scene, playing at open mic nights like the one that Red Rock Coffee has been holding for a long time.
As a volunteer, I’ve put on a few open mics in the area. Raiyawa said, “By putting on these kinds of events, I’ve done a lot to build the music community in Mountain View.” For many people in the area, Red Rock’s open mic is like a tradition. “I feel like that’s where everything starts,” he said.
De Ausen is from Guam and used to own a photo studio there. His technical and artistic knowledge is one of the things that makes his events so popular with musicians. He wants to help up-and-coming artists get good photos, videos, live streaming, and electronic press kits so they can take their careers to the next level.
It was like we help them do well after the show, he said.
De Ausen first worked with the Ameswell when they hired him as a singer. In the end, the Showcase idea grew, and he hired Raiyawa to host and choose the shows. He said that the hotel had been enthusiastic and helpful, and de Ausen is now in charge of booking all of the Ameswell’s Friday night events.
The Showcase was this really great project… He said that the Ameswell management’s answer was, “Okay, since First Fridays is going well, let’s do music every Friday.” These shows are now called “Fresh Friday,” and they have different bands, sometimes with de Ausen and Raiyawa on them.
Mona Dena writes songs, performs, and teaches music. She puts on open mics and songwriter classes in the area. She has also played as part of The Showcase, which she also enjoyed.
“De Ausen really knows what he’s doing,” she said about the sound and how it was put together. She also likes the interview segments after the show and how much care is taken to help promote the acts.
“I always want to know more about songwriters. How do they do what they do?” What do they know about it? “It’s so different,” she said. “Maleli is such a great host; she surprises people and makes them feel really special, and Raiyawa and de Ausen are great at promoting afterward.” I’m amazed by who they are and how much care they take.
Dena is putting on two open mics right now, both in downtown Redwood City. One is held at Coffeebar every fourth Sunday of the month and is open to people of all ages. She is also now in charge of the open-mic night at The Hub every second Monday of the month.
The event happens every week with a different host. She said that the events at Ameswell had inspired her and that she wants to bring some of that showcase vibe to other events.
She said, “When I host, I really try to encourage songwriters and make it feel like a place where people can really share.”
Melinda Kausek has been playing music in the area since 2023. She just started recording and releasing songs and has been to a number of events at the Ameswell. She met Raiyawa and de Ausen through open mics at places like Red Rock and Mama Kin in San Jose. Like Dena, she has also been a Showcase artist.
“I really like how Rafael, Maleli, and the rest of their team are making chances for new artists to perform outside of the regular weekly mics.” These events are much better than the average open mic because of the setting, sound system, and videography.
They are also easier to get into than getting this kind of gig on your own, Kausek told this news organization in an email. “They’ve also been really helpful, which makes me feel better about myself and makes it easier to put myself out there even more.”
“Kausek is the kind of artist we really want to show off because she works hard to get her music out there,” Raiyawa said. “Anyway we can, we want to help spread the word about that.”
He said that Amour de Seine, David Hobbes, Hannah McDonald, and Redemption Breaking would be on the Sept. 6 episode of The Showcase.
For Raiyawa and de Ausen, it’s all about helping the local music scene and using their own skills and hobbies to do so.
“The Showcase is what Rafael and I really want to do.” Raiyawa said, “I really wanted a podcast or interview show. Rafael came up with the idea of a showcase, and we just kind of mixed the two.” “So many people have interesting and crazy stories in general.” We want to be the place where people can share their stories if they have them.