Waquar Rehman

Hooted at the Back is an extension of that thought. It's an open-mic event where people are free to express any talent they have, whether comedy, rapping, dancing, storytelling, poetry, music or magic. Mohit Kumarm, founder of Hooted1nce, which is organising the event, says, "We took the 'hooted' from Hooted1nce and 'back' from Backspace to come up with the name. The lighting at the venue is so dark that it seems like an underground sort of space. And we thought of using it as an open forum for anyone to come and participate. They can also get themselves recorded if they want, because we have the facility for that too."

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The initiative is thus meant to give a leg-up to these locals who feel like they have something to express, but don't know where. Rehman tells us that there is just one other place in Thane — Kidpop — that hosts similar events. Backspace itself is a limited-seating venue meant for 40. It's a sort of mini-auditorium with leather-cushioned seating.

Mohit Kumarm

"We are focused right now on building a community in the area and making sure that every event has good footfall. And we are concentrating more on open-mics because artistes who already have a following don't need much promotion. The response so far has been good, and the only disadvantage is that most artistes live far. So, commuting is an issue," Rehman says, though going by the big-name performers that Backspace has hosted so far — including Kunal Kamra, Sapan Verma and Rohan Joshi — crossing that hurdle doesn't seem impossible.

On Tonight, 8.30 pm
At Backspace, Lodha Boulevard Mall, Thane West.
Log on to insider.in
Cost Rs 200

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