Go for it. You have the right idea in terms of what you will need. Electric guitar amp may not be necessary depending on how you promote it. Find the right location and spread the word a couple weeks in advance. As others have said let them know that poetry, comedy, whatever is welcome. Obviously you play guitar so you probably know at least a few other people that do too. Get them on board to come out and help support it. Start out slow. First Tuesday of the month or every other week until it takes off. Hosting it every week could discourage the owners of the bar or whatever if you don't bring enough people in. Personally I wouldn't impose any kind of drink or meal minimum. Alcohol has subsidized the arts forever. Adjust according to the turnout as to how many songs or how much time one can play. You yourself should be prepared to play 10 songs if you need to. Again based on how many people show up. Play a couple songs and get someone else up there. if its a slow night do two or three two song sets of your own to fill the gaps. Don't work for free either. Work something out with the owner. If you have to do it for free a couple times until the owner sees that its working then that's fine. But once it takes off and people start showing up all the time you should be getting something for your time and lugging your gear around. Have fun. If you listen to any of this trust me on the starting slow. once or twice a month at the most. Ive seen to many open mics start up and die out within 6 months because they have it every week. 10 people show up one week and the two the next. The owner of the bargets discouraged and says forget it. Once or twice a month allows people to "plan" around it so to speak. Almost like an event. Have fun, good luck and please report back to us as to how its going.
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