About Us
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Experience the power of our diverse performance network
The NWA Open Mic Association unites performers, venues, and hosts across Northwest Arkansas, creating a vibrant network for live entertainment. From musicians and comedians to poets and storytellers, we build meaningful connections between artists and venues while providing valuable performance opportunities that enrich our local arts community.
Our MISSION
Established in 2025 with a mission to unite open mic hosts, artists, and venues in Northwest Arkansas to promote collaboration, solve common issues, and enhance the local performing arts scene - including music, comedy, poetry, and storytelling.
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CORE VALUES
🎸 Collaboration Over Competition – Support venues by directing artists to the right setting for their style.
🎤 Artist Development – Help musicians, comics, and poets find the right stage to grow, from intimate settings to full-band performances.
🏆 Elevating Open Mics – Share best practices for hosting, sound setup, and community engagement.
🤝 Venue & Host Support – Help open mic hosts and venues navigate challenges like attendance, performer engagement, and technical issues.
Who We Are at NWA Open Mic Association
Our Founding Team
NWAOMA was founded by three passionate advocates for Northwest Arkansas's performing arts community. Robert Haab brings over 20 years of video production experience through Mr III Productions, business expertise as a licensed Realtor and NMLS Loan Officer, and performed in bands for over a decade.
Jen Cole runs "My Open Mic," the longest-running open mic in the area, and is an experienced host at multiple venues, including Club 509 and Morano's.
Conrad Lenzmeier hosts the popular Monday night mixed media open mic at Waystone Pizza Co. and has been actively performing his mixed comedy music sets for years. Together, we recognized the need for a unified network connecting venues, hosts, and performers across music, comedy, and all performing arts.
Our Community
NWAOMA represents a diverse network of venues, hosts, performers, and music lovers across Northwest Arkansas. From intimate coffee house acoustics to energetic bar stages, our community spans every style of performance - singer-songwriters, comedians, poets, bands, and storytellers. We connect established venues like Meteor Guitar Gallery and Bentonville Taproom with emerging spaces, creating opportunities for artists at every level. Whether you're a first-time performer or seasoned entertainer, NWAOMA provides the platform to share your art and grow your audience.
Our Vision
We envision Northwest Arkansas as the premier destination for open mic and live performance in the region. Through professional networking, resource sharing, and strategic partnerships, NWAOMA is building a sustainable ecosystem where venues thrive, performers flourish, and audiences discover incredible local talent. Our goal is to elevate the entire performing arts scene by connecting the dots between scattered venues and creating a unified, professional network that benefits everyone involved.
