Open Write Mike was an event organised and hosted by Jaimz Woolvett in his home town of Hamilton, Canada.  It was an evening for budding writers to gather their courage and present their works to a willing and supportive audience.

The Reviews

Open Mike Write at Club 316
hosted by Jaimz Woolvett

'Club 316 is a very small, cozy club in downtown Hamilton. Jaimz had coaxed the owner into letting him host the event. Jaimz is passionate about his hometown and uses every opportunity to promote its homegrown talent. He is very persuasive.

As people arrived, Jaimz, casually dressed and relaxed, moved from group to group welcoming and sharing a laugh or a few words with each. It was an eclectic evening of poetry, intense diary excerpts, a risqué comedienne, guitar solo and various readings.

There were several people who had never shared in such a public forum and were understandably nervous; I was one of them.

Jaimz encouraged and cajoled us into believing we could do it. He read a beautiful poem penned by our own Jipster - it was well received. His wife's young cousin, Kevin, read several very original pieces that had depth and humour.

The evening went smoothly, carefully orchestrated by Jaimz, maintaining a balanced program that carried our minds and emotions on a wave of discovery. Whether you liked an individual's work or not, there was positive acknowledgement of their courage in sharing.
After it was over, Jaimz again moved among the guests, the congenial host expressing his appreciation to them for coming and sharing himself with them.

It was a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The success of Jaimz's ventures encourage the club owners to showcase local talent more often.
Well done, Jaimz!'
Pat Webb, Burlington, Canada

'Open Mike Write was hosted by Hamilton native son, Jaimz Woolvett. As an actor, Jaimz has already accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments. He has appeared in episodes of seemingly everything from E.N.G., La Femme Nikita to Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. He has played such diverse roles as Dominic Grace in 1997’s Sanctuary, Deputy Earl in Rosewood and Nathan in 2004’s The Lazarus Child.

He is probably best known for his fantastic portrayal of would-be gunslinger, the Scholfield Kid, opposite Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven. (Which, let's face it people, is by far the best, coolest, most absolutely amazing western movie of all time, bar none… for ever and ever, halleluiah and amen!) But I digress.

Having returned from California to the steel town where his heart is for a while, Jaimz decided to host an open mike for writers because he felt that while there is enormous creativity in the Hammer, there are few opportunities for writers. So with the help of Reg Beaudry, friend and owner of the 316 Lounge, the intimate bar opened its doors to an eclectic evening of poetry, story-telling, and comedy. 

I walked into the intimate room by myself and briefly debated weather or not I would stay. It’s a small chic kind place with a sleek metallic bar, a few tables and a couple of rounded couches beneath a life sized black lacquered nude female mannequin on the wall. (Didn’t I feel self conscious sitting beneath a Nubian goddess all night.)

The crowd was a mixed bowl of martini-drinking, Blackberry-punching, Bay Street types and oh-so-cool, artsy, coffee-drinking, finger-snapping, 20-somethings. Needless to say I felt incredibly out of place and I stayed for what was supposed to be just one drink and one set because hell, I have kids and I don’t get out much.

I’m glad I chose to stay because I was treated to an evening of esoteric poetry, a raunchy comedienne, a clever blogger poet, a heart wrenching tale of loss and even a little music to round out the night. In spite of my nerves I was really beginning to enjoy myself once I’d struck up a conversation with a group my own age in town for a high school reunion.'
Nat Le Gross Monstre, cyberspace

External Review - Read the full Nat Le Gross Monstre's blog review