SHEPHERDSTOWN – The First Friday Coffeehouse kicks off its fifth season at 7:30 tonight with The Big Open Mic at Trinity Church Orchard House on W.Va. 45, four miles from the four-way stop in Shepherdstown.

All open-mic participants are asked to be there early to get a slot to perform three to five songs at one of the area’s premier listening rooms.

Subsequent First Friday Coffeehouses will have a feature performer chosen from touring roots/acoustic artists, preceded by a one-hour open mic.

The venue is well known for the quality of its open mics, according to a press release from event organizers.

Performers come from the Eastern Panhandle as well as Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. They enjoy performing for an attentive audience of music fans and fanatics, the release states.

Audience members are invited to come and enjoy a great evening of music and fellowship.

Snacks and refreshments will be served. A $10 donation is suggested for the evening’s festivities.

Trinity Church Orchard House is located at 4599 Shepherdstown Road on the north side of W.Va. 45, midway between Martinsburg and Shepherdstown.

Upcoming featured performers in the series include:

Sally Spring, Oct. 1;

Ellis, Nov. 5; and

The Rolling Coyotes, Dec. 3.

For more information about tonight’s or other events, contact Steve Warner at 304-676-4422 or 304-876-2915.