Why The New Deal Cafe’s Open Mic is So Unique

Ailsa Ostovitz, A&E Editor

December 4, 2025

Play It By Panic

The New Deal Cafe’s weekly open mic is the perfect place to start performing. From poems to cover songs to original songs, the weekly Tuesday open mic is a welcoming event for artists of all kinds to share their art. Or just to watch.

Every Tuesday night, The New Deal Cafe (NDC) in Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt has an Open Mic. With a supportive crowd and good food, the environment of this open mic radiates welcomeness. This night, it was hosted by Joey Campfire

Host. Joey Campfire(right) Sound Engineer, Matt Severson(left)

First Timer at the NCD: Aiden Hayward

Aiden Hayward, you can check out more of his music on Instagram: @aiden_hayward_music

It was Aiden Hayward’s first time at the NDC Open Mic. Playing an acoustic guitar, he played a cover of “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor and an original, “If I Get To Choose.” Hayward said that after performing, “everyone was just telling me how good it was” and that he felt “really welcomed” by the audience and musicians in the crowd.

New to the NDC: Elise Broadwater

Elise Broadwater

Elise Broradwater said that after her second time at the Open Mic, she felt that “when I started playing, people paid attention and wanted to listen. And I like that a lot.” After playing 2 originals that night, she recounted that she’s “been to other open mics, but they are all just acoustic…but the people here, it’s like such a diverse crowd.”

The New Deal Cafe has had several kinds of performances over the years, from stand-up comedy to puppet shows to a showcase from an insect expert, so the New Deal is no stranger to live poetry.

Here, Jey Bellamy dimmed the mood of the Cafe using only candlelight. He performed his favorite poem,”The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe

Jay Bellamy

First Timer at The NDC: Ritchie Royale

You can find more of Richie Royale’s music on instagram @ritchieroyale and on his website www.ritchieroyale.com

At Ritchie Royale’s first time at the New Deal, he gathered other musicians in the audience, making a house band of sorts.

Royale said that his first time at the New Deal had been a “dynamic situation,” which he liked. He said the environment had “good vibes,” with the NDC’s unofficial house band, he performed 2 original songs, saying, “Everyone kinda brings their own thing.”

The New Deal Cafe is the best place for new performers because of how open the crowd is to something they’ve never seen before. Every open mic has acoustic sets, but the New Deal Cafe also has an environment that wants to hear innovative things and be supportive to young performers in the area. Every Tuesday night, people come together to support each other’s artistry and build community, and that’s something we need more of in the world.

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