DeKALB | Monday nights in DeKalb aren’t nearly as dull as they sound.

Although the weekend has passed, entertainment opportunities haven’t disappeared.

The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, hosts an open mic night every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to around 1 a.m.

“It’s the soapbox theatre,” said event promoter and House Cafe manager Matthew Clark.

The sheer variety of acts that have taken the stage helps make the weekly event a truly unique experience. Poets, musicians of all types, magicians, stand-up comedians and even individuals who just wanted to talk about their organization or what’s on their mind have all appeared.

“Variety keeps it going,” Clark said. “It doesn’t get sleepy, it’s a party.”

Keeping the crowd engaged in the performances is also a main objective of the night. Past stunts have included letting 100 balloons loose in the crowd, coloring contests and on-stage push-ups.

The weekly event provides an excellent opportunity for networking.

Forty percent of the performers come from out of town, an important statistic to Clark because he believes they play an important part in promoting DeKalb’s economy. Participants have also been known to meet their future band mates at the open mic, and sometimes they’re even able to book future shows as special guests.

Although Open Mic Night is nothing new at the House Cafe, the staff insists that this the past two years has been the most consistent in the House’s 10 years of business.

The event sees no signs of calling it quits either. Large crowds, an eager surplus of performers and publicity make the event seem like a House staple.

“‘Free’ is the big word,” said House Cafe decorator Chris Stanley.

For performers of all types, an outlet with a guaranteed audience couldn’t sound more appealing; past special guests at the event have included the Tinley Park-based band Fire at the Circus and local dance club Barb City Swing Connection, but not all performers come from the northern Illinois area.

The Homestories, a band of many genres from Switzerland, will be playing the last show on their US tour at the House on September 27.

No matter how far the performers come from, they all receive first-class treatment. All of the past acts have come to the open mic night practiced and rehearsed; as such, no one has ever been booed off the stage.

“Respect these artists and they’ll continue to come,” Stanley said.

The idea of an open mic night goes beyond performances at a local venue that bring people together.

“You can get an idea what an [area is] like from a community’s open mic,” Stanley said. “It’s a real cultural communication center.”

A distinctive mix of locals, college students and out-of towners; young and old; performers and audience members gather every Monday night at the House Cafe. By supporting those who have enough courage to perform live on stage, they bring DeKalb together.

“This stage is the freedom of speech stage,” Stanley said.