It’s Tuesday night, which means I’m performing comedy at Gallatin’s newest (and only) open mic—The Friendzone.

I’m not alone. Over the past few months, comedians from all walks of life (and even one magician) have found their way to an unassuming bar called Our Spot. Free for anyone to attend, The Friendzone showcases performances as varied as the people who deliver them. Old and young, experienced and new, Gallatin “lifers” and new-to-town folks. Together, we create an eclectic collage of life experiences brought to life on stage.

We’re loud, creative, interesting, and—if I do say so myself—funny.

Hosted and produced by local comedians Michael Malamud and Chad Leonard, the Gallatin open mic initially caught my interest as an alternative to driving to Nashville, where most of Middle Tennessee’s comedy mics are hosted. Michael and Chad recognize this benefit as well, sharing with me that they believe, “With the influx of people moving to the area in the last few years, there is no reason there can’t be great comedy that you don’t have to drive 30 miles to Nashville to see.”

I certainly agree, especially as I enjoy a seven-minute drive to Our Spot, versus my typical 30-45 minute drive to a Nashville open mic. But beyond logistics, I sensed from the first time I attended that I had stumbled upon something special. As the mic has grown, attracting both comedians and a growing crowd of onlookers (an open mic comedian’s dream), I feel certain that I was right.

According to Michael and Chad, “The goal of the mic is similar to a minor league baseball team. Find the talent the bigger scenes would overlook, and give them a low-stakes, positive environment to hone their craft.”

“Hence,” they say, “the name, The Friendzone.”

It’s a place for friends, indeed. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated the first time I walked into Our Spot to try out this new mic. But I’ve quickly settled into a routine—walk through the doors, greet the friendly faces, and say hi to Steph, the bartender who’s always up for a laugh. Together, we drag chairs to the center of the bar, so we can all sit facing the stage.

“Fail,” Micheal will say as he kicks off the night. “Get up here and try stuff and fail.”

And so we do. We try and we fail and we encourage each other to try again. We pay attention and we clap for one another and–quite often–we belly laugh. And when the night is done, I’m eager to try again the following week.

I count down the days until it’s a Tuesday night in Gallatin, Tennessee once again… which means you can find me with my friends.

The Friendzone is an open mic hosted at Our Spot in Gallatin, TN. It’s free to attend, watch, and—if you’re feeling up for it—perform. Come join us next week!