22/03/2023
Dear friends,
Indeed it is true. Bramleys Cocktail Bar has had to shut its doors with immediate effect last week.
After nearly 5, very happy years of running the Open Mic Nights and Showcase Evenings here, it is very sad that tonight instead of inviting and welcoming you to another night showcasing local talented artists, I instead confirm the news that the business is no longer open. For me personally it was also incredibly bad timing in my own life, and I apologise for the week of silence regarding questions about the Open Mic.
I have hosted and organised Open Mics for over 15 years now, and whilst a venue shutting down is, unfortunately, nothing new to me, I am particularly gutted this time, as Bramleys really and truly felt like Home for my Open Mic Nights. Everything about the place was perfect.
I personally want to massively thank Jack the owner for keeping the place going in very tough times making losses but still keeping open against all hope, and for so actively encouraging a live music and poetry space and providing a beautiful and unique venue for Canterbury.
Thank you to every single one of you who have come along to these nights, and either performed, or been part of the always engaged and encouraging audience. Thank you for the often amazing comments and kind messages I've received over the years from many people thanking me for running these nights and for running them how I do.
I shall miss you all terribly.
I've been going through the many photos taken during Open Mics and some Showcases at Bramleys and have selected a few that I really like below. ("a few".. - there's like 60.. 👀 aha)
I'm sure there where many people who played who did not get photographed or I don't have access to their photos if they did so I apologise to those people and please do not feel left out.
Thank you to everyone for your support over the years. I hope to see you again somewhere soon. I have already been approached by a couple of places to run an Open Mic.. which is very nice...so I may possibly yet still continue what has been a big part of most of my life: curating a platform for artists to perform, in an encouraging and welcoming atmosphere.
Enjoy the memories! Continue the music! Chase up artists you liked who you saw live and you sing their song all the time in your kitchen! And support local venues! Because they're literally dying.
To end: Look, I can't possibly name you all, I've seen so many journeys on that stage. But the biggest shout goes to Ed Bromwich Widows & Orphans - music I have watched you grow and grow over the years my friend as a musician and with your confidence on stage, and your songwriting, and it's really exciting to watch people enjoy your music so much that we even had to crown one of your songs as The Open Mic Anthem! Ed is the epitome of many examples of artists who grew on that stage.
Good Night, you Night Terrors.🖤🎶
See you somewhere again soon.
Much love and thanks,
Kieron
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