Performers and audience members arrived at Cantean on Whitney Avenue in Hamden en masse Tuesday evening before the posted start time of 6 p.m., quickly filling the space and the open mic’s sign-up sheet. Each performer had enough time for two songs. Host Steve Rodgers announced that he had“two and a half rules.” First, the songs all had to be originals. Second, audience members had to keep quiet for the performances. And third (Rodgers was joking about the“half”), everyone should remember to support Cantean by buying food and beverages.
“Any more rules?” someone in the audience said.
“Play good music!” someone else said, to laughter.
