Open Mic Night at the Windsor Center to take a Season’s Sabbatical

IRON RIVER, MI — Open Mic Night at the Windsor Center wrapped up its 15th season at the end of 2025, and the team of volunteers who organize the event have agreed its time for Open Mic Night to take a sabbatical: a time of rest and research to determine the best format for the future. 

“Open Mic Night at the Windsor Center is a beloved community event,” explained Erika Sauter, who took over organizing it in 2023. “But it’s become harder to get sponsors, the attendance has been down post-Covid, and the volunteers – myself included – feel like it’s time to give Open Mic a sabbatical to explore ways to reformat and give a fresh life to local live music in Iron County.” 

Sauter expressed hope that Open Mic might find renewed interest and be a lighter lift for organizers if it was at a smaller venue. “We think it’s worth trying Open Mic Night on a smaller scale that would still accommodate the performers and audience that have typically been attending,” she said.

Sauter explained that the scale on which Open Mic Night is done at the Windsor Center makes it a heavy undertaking every performance requiring a large time commitment from the organizers. “Open Mic is definitely a worth-while program and those of us who have organized it have enjoyed it immensely! But there’s something to be said for reimagining when events and the people behind them start to feel like they’re burning out.”  

Dawn Pisoni, Windsor Center Coordinator, endorsed the proposition saying, “Erika and I have feeling the same way about Open Mic Night: that after some 15 years, it’s time to try something new.” Pisoni added, “We will still work together on the annual Christmas Open Mic Night in December here, so that will remain a Windsor Center event.”

Sauter expressed hope for the future and gratitude for the loyal audience and performers. “We are so grateful for all the performers who have faithfully put together entertaining music over the many seasons of Open Mic Night, and for the audience members who have faithfully turned out to support local live music.” 

More information with dates and times for a local live music showcase will be forthcoming. For questions about the plans for open mic nights, call (906) 284-0647 or email egsauter@gmail.com.