Karaoke Corner
By Rocky & Kristine Fields
Chan’s Place
Woodinville, WA
Spring is beginning to creep in, after a not-so-tough winter. I have a feeling it’s going to be a hot Summer this time around. That makes for some great nights out, and singing karaoke is always on the agenda if you’re anything like us! We strive to bring you fun, different, new and exciting places to travel to each month, so if you’ve discovered a new hot spot that could use a little more love, let us know. We’re more than happy to come hang out with you and check out new venues. Any excuse to karaoke works for us!
This month we revisited some of our old stomping grounds. I have mentioned before that Chan’s in Woodinville, is the place where I introduced my parents to Rocky for the very first time. Yes, we were there singing karaoke together, which makes Chan’s an even more special place for us! We grabbed a couple of great friends, Scott and Sarah Bridges, and headed there early for some amazing Chinese food and made our way into the bar where we found a table right in the front and were greeted by the host, Zoon. He handed us books, slips and pens and we were ready to rock it. Chan’s has added an additional night of karaoke, so we went on the new night, Saturday. Karaoke begins at 9:30pm and goes until 1am. The huge screen television next to the stage makes this a fun show to watch as Zoon plays a lot of the old Pioneer Laser discs in his selection. In fact, he has the entire set, so if you’re partial to these discs, this is the place for you. If you’re not familiar with this “old school” type of karaoke, there are videos played in the background of each song on a laser disc, making it fun to watch not just the words of the song, but sort of an interpretation of the song as well.
Chan’s also has a decent selection of songs on CD+Gs too, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, Zoon will gladly offer up his own personal collection for you to browse through. If you’d like, you’re more than welcome to bring in your own discs to sing from. Zoon opened the show, as most good hosts will do, and then Joe Marino was up next. He’s got the voice of Neil Diamond down pat! The entire crowd was into him, clapping along and afterwards, requesting more Neil of him. He gladly obliged. Rocky took the stage and sang some Elvis… the night was off to an excellent start. Scott belted out “At This Moment”, and when Erin took the stage, she said in an almost intimidated voice, “Wow, you all are really excellent singers in here tonight!” and blew everyone away with her song, “I can’t make you love me”.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t sing often, but I do sing if I feel comfortable, the crowd is welcoming and rotation is quick enough that I can’t change my mind. Chan’s is just such a place. Although I only sang once, I felt totally relaxed on the stage, the audience singing along with a little harmony to my “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, it was almost surreal for me, honestly. Brought back some great memories of my family being there and cheering me on years ago, back in 1995!
Zoon runs one of the quickest rotations around, he’ll cue you right before you’re up and you go! He doesn’t play filler music, but there’s rarely any dead air either…it’s that fast. Even though there was a good-sized rotation for the evening, I believe most people sang at least five songs each. Sometimes a quick rotation like this will prompt you to stay all night because you begin to think, what next… I know I’ll be able to sing at least one more time. The bar staff is also very friendly here and very prompt with your beverages. Bottom line here, you’ll have a fun time at Chan’s. Come for dinner, stay for karaoke Friday’s and Saturday’s and enjoy something different than what you’re used to. Our friends had never been to Chan’s for karaoke but had enjoyed great food here in the past. They’ll be back for karaoke now that they know it’s so much fun! We’ll be back too. Chan’s has been a part of our lives for years. Thanks for the memories Chan’s, see you soon!
That’s it for this month’s karaoke corner. Hope you’ve enjoyed your 2010 so far. Everyone’s got big plans for this to be a great year, so let’s keep up the resolutions, stay on track and keep on singing. Feel free to contact us anytime with comments, suggestions, or just to say hi at (425) 359-9450, rocknkris@yahoo.com. Find the Karaoke & Entertainment Guide on Facebook now too! Feel free to look us up as well, Kristine & Rocky Fields.
