Sing it like no one else is listening

It wasn’t until karaoke had washed over Asia that it made its debut in the United States. Now, many bars in Philadelphia host karaoke nights. No matter what day you’re feeling the urge to emulate your favorite band or singer, Philly bars host a karaoke event almost every day of the week. Folks of all generations can be seen cheering on their friends and singing along – drinks in hand.

CARROLL MOORE TTN Guests enjoy Friday night karaoke at Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar in South Philadelphia. The bar had a karaoke night for about six years, but DJ Lars Peterson has hosted for four years.

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar
1200 E. Passyunk Ave.
215-365-1169
www.thehappybirthdaybar.com
Karaoke: Fridays at 9 p.m.

“Everybody has a good time,” said Louis Capozzolli, owner of Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar. “No arguments, no fights, people singing – how could you beat that?”

Plastered with everything-themed music, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar takes you back in time to the years of Babe Ruth with Capozzolli’s autographed photos hung on the wall. Instrument-shaped neon beer signs fill the windows facing Eighth Street. Postcards from Philadelphia, as well as photos of old-time Hollywood starlets, help give the bar a welcoming touch. Its theme is unique compared to normal bar décor.

The bar has been hosting the karaoke event for approximately six years, acquiring DJ Lars Peterson as the host four years ago.

Singers are provided with a small screen, while spectators can view the words and sing along with the larger screen facing the audience, allowing them to see where the singer botches the lyrics.

After Ray Capozzolli, Capozzolli’s father, passed, he changed the name to Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar.

“Whenever [Ray] came to the bar, he never said hello – he said ‘happy birthday,’” Capozzolli said. “It was a coined phrase.”

Whether you’re a regular at Ray’s or it’s your first time experiencing the South Philly bar, the staff is warm and welcoming to all. To top it off, the drinks are cheaper than your average city bar, and the pours are generous.

The bar also hosts Quizzo nights on Wednesday starting at 9:30 p.m., as well as opportunities for live music Saturday evenings and special events commonly concocted by the staff. Recently, the bar started a roast night, similar to those seen on Comedy Central, held on Thursdays.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St.
215-735-5562
www.mcgillins.com
Karaoke: Wednesdays and Sundays at 9 p.m., Fridays at 10 p.m.

McGillin’s Old Ale House has been serving Philadelphia citizens and tourists since 1860, making it the oldest continually operating bar in the city.

McGillin’s has been hosting karaoke at the bar for about 12 years, even before it was the “hot thing to do,” said Chris Mullins, owner of McGillin’s.

Singers are given their own platform stage and a cordless microphone. In addition to the screen for the singer, there is a 60-inch flat-screen monitor that shows the lyrics to the rest of the bar’s guests. DJ Joe inserts clever graphics and comments throughout people’s performances.

“We think [DJ Joe] is the best in the city,” Mullins said. “He’s got a dry sense of humor that plays very well to our crowd.”
The list provided boasts more than 40,000 songs, including many in languages other than English.

The establishment provides ample seating, whether at a table or the bar. Historical artifacts, including all the liquor licenses it has held, cover the bar’s walls. If you want a quieter setting, the upstairs bar has a more intimate, relaxed environment. The upstairs is also home to McGillin’s open mic night held on Thursdays.

Drink and food specials also lure patrons in with $2 pints of microbrews, two tacos for $1, $3 margaritas and more. Even without a drink special, the prices for mixed drinks are reasonable. A Long Island Iced Tea is $5 – a price hard to beat.

New Deck Tavern
3408 Sansom St.
215-386-4600
www.newdecktavern.com
Karaoke: Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

New Deck Tavern in the heart of University City has been catering to college students for 23 years. In the evening, the establishment serves students from the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Very few take advantage of the microphone and list of songs during the event. Instead, patrons cluster in groups, feasting on free peanuts, $2 pints, $2 cheese fries and well drink specials.

Even though the bar has hosted karaoke night for years, it is still a hit-or-miss. It depends on what is going on around the college campuses, said Erin Quinn, the general manager of New Deck.

New Deck positions potential singers in a sectioned-off area in the middle of the tavern, making it nearly impossible to watch the singer perform if you’re sitting at the front end of the room or at the bar.

“We’ve had a couple different karaoke people, but we always do it through a DJ company that has a karaoke guy,” Quinn said. “I would love to have a guy that’s really awesome and has a following.”

New Deck is better known for its game of “Quizo,” spelled with one “z” because the owners have a patent on it, Quinn said.
“We’re the founders of Quizo in Philadelphia,” she said.

Quizo is held on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting at 10 p.m. New Deck also has an acoustic night on Thursdays and hires DJs to play on Friday and Saturday nights.

Regardless of the lack of karaoke participants in the tavern, the staff is relatively friendly. There is also plentiful seating at tables, as well as at the bar.

“I think we are a University City staple,” Quinn said. “Everyone knows your name, [so] people want to come back. There’s no other kind of pub around here.”

Amanda Fries can be reached at amanda.fries@temple.edu.

Upcoming summer concerts

End your semester with a bang by attending some of Philadelphia’s best concert venues, which are booked solid with talent this May. No matter what genre you like, there’s a band that’s sure to make it to your poolside playlist. This year, skip the mainstream shows, and check out these promising artists who will take the stage within the next few weeks.

Hip-Hop/Funk

Philadelphia Slick
World Café Live
3025 Walnut St.
Monday, May 11
8 p.m., $14 - $19
215-222-1400
tickets.worldcafelive.com

Philadelphia Slick will return to its hometown to perform at World Café Live. The alternative hip-hop ensemble treats audiences to an unusual mix of big band flair and rap. Philadelphia Slick’s musicians, including founder and rapper Noesis, play keyboard, bass, drums, cello, viola, trumpet and saxophone, creating music that spans many genres and attracts diverse groups of fans. To get the full effect, listen to “R and B Stole the Show,” which offers creative lyrics and funky beats reminiscent of the Black Eyed Peas. 

Alternative-Pop Rock/Soul

Adele
Electric Factory
421 N. Seventh St.
Sunday, May 3
8 p.m., $29.50
215-627-1332
ticketmaster.com

Spunky 20-year-old British singer Adele will serenade crowds at the Electric Factory. Adele’s soulful songs combine interesting rhythms with daring vocal runs. Like a tamer, smoother version of fellow British performer Amy Winehouse, Adele plays her own piano and guitar and sings about young love and heartbreak. Although she became an overnight star after winning the 2009 Grammy Award for best female vocal performance and best new artist, Adele’s summer U.S. tour is only making a limited number of stops, so don’t miss your opportunity to see her live. Opening for Adele is the Script, a pop/rock Irish trio that soothes the soul with its melodious guitar riffs and silky vocals.

Musical Comedy

Unwigged & Unplugged tour
Keswick Theatre
291 North Keswick Ave.,
Glenside, Pa.
Thursday, May 14
8 p.m., $47.50 – $62.50
215-572-7650
keswicktheatre.com

Seeking a unique concert experience that combines colorful lyrics and melodious guitar chords with pure hilarity? The Unwigged & Unplugged tour features musical comedians Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer performing parody hits from their days as spandex-wearing This is Spinal Tap rockers, as well as their best 1960s the Folksmen classics. This one-of-a-kind musical improvisation spectacular will be arriving at the Keswick Theatre, allowing fans to relive their crazier days. A free snippet of the trio’s Spinal Tap classic “Hell Hole” is available at unwigged.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to rock out and laugh it up.

Electronic Pop-Rock

The Secret Handshake
The Trocadero
1003 Arch St.
Tuesday, May 19
7 p.m., $10
215-922-LIVE
thetroc.com

Developed by multitalented, self-taught artist Luis Dubuc, the Secret Handshake is an electronic-pop project that provides a fun, unique experience for concert-goers by mixing funky, computerized techno with drums, guitars and vocals. Fans of other indie synthpop bands like Hellogoodbye and Mae shouldn’t miss the Secret Handshake’s Philadelphia stop. The audience will be treated to an exciting performance featuring a mix of feel-good classics and new songs from the Secret Handshake’s third album, My Name Up in Lights. The show will also feature a variety of opening acts, including the Morning Of, the Dangerous Summer, the Bigger Lights and the Great American Soundtrack.

Julie Achilles can be reached at julie.achilles@temple.edu.

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