The Roland Zimmerman Family will celebrate the 12th anniversary of its open mic night at The Torch Community Center in Morgantown on Sunday, Feb. 4. Registration for participating musicians will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by live music at 7 p.m.

Open mic began more than a decade ago when Zimmerman approached Ed Kurtz, director of The Torch, for permission to host the event.

"My family sang at retirement homes (and other venues), and I always enjoyed open mic. I wanted to see a Christian open mic and not just secular music," Zimmerman recalled. "I knew Ed and I brought up the idea to hold the open mic on a weeknight, but he said it has to be a Sunday night because a lot of churches don't have (activities) on Sunday nights."

Today, an average of six groups perform during open mic, including Zimmerman and his son, Ryan. "(The number of groups) varies. Sometimes we have more or less," Zimmerman noted. "On Sunday, (Jan. 7), only three people signed up, so we sat in a circle together and sang, so that was a little different."

The Torch, which offers a small coffeehouse setting, includes a small stage, room for tuning instruments, a keyboard for pianists, four microphones with stands, sheet music stands and stools.

There are guidelines that musicians are asked to follow on open mic night. For example, all music must be performed acoustically, and no drum sets are permitted. A cappella music is also encouraged.

"I am not against electric guitars and drums, but it's a small setting and we don't want anything that is too loud," Zimmerman shared. He added that setting up amplifiers and other devices between performers would be time consuming.

There are also requirements about conservative attire for both men and women. "I came from a more conservative Mennonite background and there is not an opportunity in the church setting to show your talent," said Zimmerman. "(Open mic) is an opportunity to get people (to perform). I have conservative dress standards because I want people to feel welcome."

Musicians may perform music they have composed as well as traditional hymns or songs. "Some people play original music. One lady sings hymns. There is a variety, and that's fine," Zimmerman shared. "It is open to everyone. You don't have to audition or anything."

Through the years the event has grown in size with additional musicians and audience members. "The first three years it was hard to get people to come out," Zimmerman noted. "My family had enough songs to keep going, but we didn't want it to be just about us. After a while, we got a group to come in and they did a lot of original songs, and they brought in an audience. That was a big boost."

Generally, musicians perform two or three songs, but if there is time, they can present a second set. "It's nice for musicians to play to an audience and not just other musicians. I would also like to have more listeners coming and enjoy the music," Zimmerman added.

Participation and attendance is free; however, a collection box is available, with all donations given to The Torch, which provides the venue free of charge.

An added bonus is that people may socialize after the music or ask the musicians questions. "Some people bring food and stay and hang around and eat and talk to each other. That is something I never expected to happen," Zimmerman added.

The Torch Community Center is located in the Clock Tower Plaza, 2846 Main St., Morgantown. For more information about open mic, including all of the guidelines, visit http://www.facebook.com/ChristianOpenMic or https://openmic.rolandzimmermanfamily.org.