Jam Lab Open-Mic Night at Lil' Brick

Hanford Multicultural Theater Company is set to hold another Jam Lab session on Friday, May 22, at the Lil’ Brick Theater in downtown Hanford. The event appears on the company’s website as “Jam Lab, a monthly event,” with the location listed as 119 1/2 N. Douty St. in Hanford. The Friday gathering is the latest in a series of music-focused events the theater has been building this year. Earlier notices from the company and a Hanford Sentinel community column described Jam Lab as an open session where local musicians can meet, play together and, in the organizers’ words, possibly form bands. (hanfordmtc.com) ### What is Jam Lab supposed to be? Ted Hillman, identified by the Hanford Sentinel as interim sound and lights director of Hanford Multicultural Theater Company, wrote in a March column that Jam Lab was created so “musicians of all different skill levels and backgrounds can collaborate and play music with other local musicians.” Hillman described it as “essentially a social club for musicians.” (hanfordsentinel.com) A separate event listing on the theater company’s website framed the format in similar terms, telling participants to “bring your instruments and play alone or with others.” That listing said the event was meant to help musicians meet one another and “maybe form a band.” ### What do musicians need to bring? The March Hanford Sentinel listing said participants should bring an instrument and a cable, while drummers were told a drum set would already be on site and they should bring drumsticks. (hanfordsentinel.com) Hillman also wrote that the theater had been making technical changes as it expanded live music programming, including drum microphones, a better monitor setup for drummers, vocal effects and instrument storage areas. (hanfordmtc.com) The theater’s earlier Jam Lab event page also said drums would be available and repeated the instruction for drummers to bring sticks. That consistency across postings suggests the event is structured less like a booked concert and more like a shared-use performance space. ### How much does it cost to get in? Hanford Multicultural Theater Company has described Jam Lab as a “pay what you want” event. (hanfordsentinel.com) In the March Sentinel column, Hillman said that approach was intended to keep the event accessible while still encouraging attendees who are able to donate or buy drinks and snacks from the theater’s bar. (hanfordmtc.com) A February event page carried similar language, saying attendees could “pay what you want at the door.” The company has also said on its website that Jam Lab grew out of community demand for more opportunities to perform and connect. ### Why is the theater putting energy into this now? Hanford Multicultural Theater Company said in a January update that open-mic programming had become popular, with participants traveling from as far north as Sacramento and as far south as Bakersfield. (hanfordsentinel.com) The company’s 2026 planning update also said “Whatever Open-Mic continues” as part of a broader push to expand programming at Lil’ Brick Theater. (hanfordmtc.com) A separate Hanford Sentinel column in January said the theater’s goal for 2026 was to build “a local ecosystem of Central Valley musicians” who could collaborate and perform. That same column invited musicians to the Lil’ Brick space in old downtown Hanford. (hanfordmtc.com) ### Where and when is the next step for anyone interested? The Hanford Multicultural Theater Company website lists the next Jam Lab for Friday, May 22, at 119 1/2 N. Douty St. in Hanford. The same events listing shows another program, “Whatever Open-Mic,” scheduled for Friday, June 5, at the same address. (hanfordmtc.com) (hanfordsentinel.com)