MY STORY
Born & raised in West Michigan, music, art, and self-expression of all kinds have always been passions of mine. Throughout my teenage years, that materialized in the form of playing and writing my own music with friends. At around 18 years old, I started playing gigs in local bars and clubs—I loved it and I worked hard at my craft. By my early twenties, I’d find myself playing in historic venues and opening shows for some of my musical heroes.
Fast-forward to my late twenties and me having a family: after playing a gig at a local venue one night, I left convinced that particular venue and community could benefit from a weekly open mic night. I loved going to open mics and I thought I could probably even make a few bucks hosting—it was the perfect side-hustle. The day after that gig, I confidently pitched my idea to the owners of the venue and within a few weeks, I was an open mic host—I am an open mic host.
Open mic hosting is something I’ve been doing for over half of a decade now. What started as a fun way to make some extra money has become something I’m just as passionate about as creating and playing my own music.
I’m a musician because it helps me understand myself and the world around me; I’m an open mic host because it’s an opportunity to help others understand themselves and their world.
The key to putting on a good event is having selfless intentions. Getting on stage has always made me feel great and it’s easy to get caught up in that, but more and more, I feel like I’m getting up there to make others feel good.
Intentionally prioritizing and valuing the collective experience has been an essential mindset for any of the success I’ve seen in my career.
As a longtime event planner, promoter, and emcee, I've learned a lot about bringing people together, I've learned a lot about celebrating differences and guiding others in doing so, and I've learned a lot about showing people the value of safe & uninhibited self-expression. These things have become my passions, my purpose, and my mission. That being said, I am fervently working to make new connections and I'm hungry for opportunities to build community.
In June of 2023, I teamed up with Dave Dziuban, Park Theatre, GLOBE Design & Vision, and Evolve Productions LLC to present a new, exciting, and inspiring YouTube Video Series called Parkin'.
Parkin' celebrates self-expression & community in and around Holland's historic Park Theatre. The goal is to shine a spotlight on—and empower—our amazing West Michigan Music Scene.
Watch Parkin’ on YouTube: youtube.com/@parktheatreholland
Parkin' is a YouTube Video Series that shines a spotlight on West Michigan’s Music Scene.
PARK THEATRE OPEN MIC
PTOM is a weekly celebration of self-expression & community at Holland’s historic
Park Theatre.
I’m the Host & Event Coordinator of Park Theatre Open Mic—an unprecedented weekly celebration of self-expression and community. Every Tuesday, we host an eclectic mix of live music, comedy, poetry, dancing, and more. PTOM is unlike any other open mic in the country. We average something like 125-175 people weekly; we've collaborated with the Ottawa County Fair to bring PTOM to the fair; we've started a burgeoning quarterly Junior Open Mic event (aka PTOM Jr.) for performers under 21; we host a monthly PTOM Karaoke Night—and we have even bigger plans for 2024!
Brother Adams is a bold & eclectic Psych-Rock trio from West Michigan.
Since 2013, I’ve been a Lead Vocalist, Songwriter, and Bassist for a three-member rock band. I am also responsible for Booking and Social Media Management.
Brother Adams is the winner of the WYCE-FM Jammie Awards—‘2015 Listener's Choice: Album of the Year’ Award.
Jair is a Michigan
Alt-Hip Hop artist.
As a musician, I'm perhaps most known as the bassist, co-frontman, and co-founder of Brother Adams—an eclectic and exuberant psychedelic rock trio from West Michigan; others may know me as the host of Park Theatre Open Mic—an unprecedented weekly celebration of self-expression and community at Holland, Michigan's historic Park Theatre. However, the 2020 lockdowns meant no live music and that gave me a little extra time to be creative, so I started making beats and writing rhymes around October 2020. Since then, I've released ten tracks, nine music videos, and a plethora of other various content—all under the moniker of my new solo project—Jair.
RECOGNITION
“And it’s become a much-beloved weekly event, hosted by Jair…”
-Local Spins
“Performers 'wow' the crowd at Park Theatre's Open Mic Night”
-Holland Sentinel
“We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jair Driesenga…”
-Canvas Rebel
“Today we’d like to introduce you to Jair.”
-Voyage Michigan
‘2015 Listener's Choice: Album of the Year’
(Brother Adams - Blood)
-WYCE-FM Jammie Awards