Winner of First Open Mic Monday Heads to Semi-Finals

Toccoa’s first Open Mic Monday at the Ritz Theatre is being hailed as a success.

It’s a talent competition designed to give entertainers from around the Northeast Georgia area a chance to win a spot performing at next year’s Ida Cox Music series.

Ritz Theatre manager Keith Kozicki says Monday night’s turnout was better than expected.

“For a first night, it was really a wonderful evening,” Kozicki said. “We had seven performers who signed up encompassing a wide variety of music, spoken word, and comedy. Right out of the gate we were very impressed with the first performer who won the competition last night.”

That winner was singer/songwriter Ethan Phillips from Clayton, Georgia.

Phillips is the first winner who will now go on to compete in the semi-finals early next year, according to Kozicki.

Open Mic Monday is always the third Monday of the month and Kozicki says anyone can come to perform.

“We’re looking for performers of all stripes, from all areas. We’re not limiting this to just Toccoa performers. In fact, we had a performer who saw our ad on Event Bright and drove all the way in from Braselton. So, we’re looking to do a sign-up both online and at the door and it’s free for both the performer and the audience members,” he said.

The next Open Mic Monday will be Monday, October 16 at 7p.

If you need more information, you can contact Keith Kozicki at the Toccoa Main Street office.