Monday night karaoke at the Hen has always been a lot mellower than Wednesdays (which can get shoulder-to-shoulder crowded): Its all about the crowd, and I love performing southern rock in front of these old cowboys. Theres nothing better than having people get up and dance as you performthats how you know youre really delivering. Unfortunately, my standby, Alabamas Take Me Down, is too upbeat to waltz to, with the wrong beat for line dancing (also a part of the Monday-night program). In truth, the karaoke menu isnt all country. The Hens KJ teamgenerally listed as Lo Key & Sun-E-Fridaycan rock Blackstreets No Diggity with R&B polish, which definitely gets the cougars up and line dancing. Another surprising but successful staff choice? Inside Out by Eve 6. Among the Hens regular patrons, favorites include La Bamba and Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin (the latter being a welcome departure from Dont Stop Believing). So if youre going to sing off the Nashville menu, go all the way. On The Strokes Last Nite, for instance, I go crazy with the screaming and air guitar. People may not dance to it, but they get the message. (21 and over.) JEFF ROMAN
Mondays, 9 p.m., 2009