Then, it is in the hands of the audience: The performer learns whether his or her act is good and feels the power or the faults of songs, skits and jokes. That's true for just-starting newbies and the seasoned vets.

To do this at home and alone in the shower offers nothing in the way of objectivity. Plus, there is always the emotional buzz of getting wild applause or boos from an audience.

That's where open-mike nights come into play.

In a world where televised talent contests such as American Idol are little more than gladiator spectacles familiar to Romans and lions alike, only the world of the open mike gives local vocalists, musicians and comics the chance to appear in front of an informal audience and musician peers. They can catch these opportunities at World Cafe Live, The Fire, Lickety Split, Fergie's Pub, and MilkBoy Coffee, among other venues in the region. It is a performance that can be bolstered by promotional tools such as MySpace or Facebook to get the buzz going.

Take singer-songwriter-guitarist Dani Mari, vocalist-keyboardist Anam Owili-Eger, and singer-guitarist-comedian Michael Pomranz.

All three work in a professional capacity either as solo artists or, in the case of Pomranz, as part of a band, World Blanket.

Each can be found weekly if not nightly within this region's open-mike scene - some offering their bits more than once an evening, on Monday nights in particular.

"I've got fans following me from each open-mike appearance to paid shows; gotten names for my mailing list; and, honestly, all of the gigs that I've been booked for on Philly stages have been through networking at an open mike," says Mari, 27, a South Philadelphia resident.

Mari's honeyed voice and conversational manner make her a natural. Though Mari can, on occasion, be frightened ("performing in front of other musicians can be intimidating"), she's inspired by other locals who are testing new material. Mari claims that the open-mike scene is her most valuable tool when it comes to promoting shows (she brings lots of CDs) and getting new gigs.

"I went because my first band lost our bassist and drummer, and a friend told me Fergie's open mike was a great place to find musicians looking for bands to be in," says Owili-Eger, 27, of his first experience in 2002. The soul-jazz keyboardist became friends with the open-mike regulars and with Fergie himself, who once gave Owili-Eger a ride home when he saw him on a corner in the rain with his gear.

"It's Philly's living room because it's as comfortable as hanging out in your parlor. People bring birthday cakes because they remember and pick up tambourines to play along with your songs," says Owili-Eger. It got him the part of the host/drummer in Peter Gaudioso's house band.

Pomranz values the aesthetic and personal challenge because he acts, separately but equally, as comedian and singer. "Open mikes are no stroll in the park," says the 28-year-old Center City native. "You've no idea what you're stepping into even if you have been to the location or even that specific open mike before.

"The sound can be awful; the room can be unsupportive. On average, half the talent wouldn't be worth seeing under any condition, and typically those who are beyond the open-mike scene primarily come back to test out new material, so they aren't always on their A game."

Pomranz offered a caution: If you find the room physically intimidating, don't expect much audience support either. On a good night, he thinks 80 percent of the audience are there to perform, leaving a solid 20 percent who probably didn't realize they wandered into an open mike but who are too drunk to leave. These are the people Pomranz wants to "wow."

So why mike openly?

"To meet people and to find support," Pomeranz says with a laugh. "To experience the social component. I like being at an open mike where a bartender has to reach past my stage to hand out beers if that's where the people are most welcoming." Besides, Pomeranz has persuaded his girlfriend, Clare Darling, 26, to come and try some of her own jokes.

A big part of fitting in is getting on stage. And that means buddying up to a good host. Danny Ozark, who runs open mikes at Lickety Split, The Balcony and Mooney's Pub, says being nice along with being talented goes a long way. "And buying me a drink or two," he says, laughing.

After having been on the other side since age 16, Andre "Boy Wonder" Coles has ruled Philly Rising at World Cafe Live with a velvet fist since January.

"You've got to have guts to do an open mike since it's not your friends, family and fans paying money to hear you play, but a bunch of musicians with their arms folded waiting for their turn," says Cole, 25. "A good host should have a dynamic personality on stage and be able to keep a crowd energetic and entertained. Efficiency is an important factor, as we have around 30 performers every week. Thick skin also helps."

While a high level of talent and a hint of competition makes any open mike good, being a part of something bigger - a future in music - is probably what drives most participants. As the operator of The Fire in Northern Liberties, Derek Dorsey has heard, seen and booked plenty of big-name local acts that once appeared on his open-mike stages. "Five years ago, it was Amos Lee, Birdie Busch and Devin Greenwood, and now it's Hezekiah Jones, Bee Team, and Drink Up Buttercup," says Dorsey, whose Fire stages have become an outpost for Philly's indie folk and Americana scene. "Coming from the open-mike scene and making it big is a tradition."

And it could happen to you.

WHERE TO PERFORM

Philly Rising at Upstairs Live at World Cafe Live. Monday from 6:30 p.m. 3025 Walnut St. 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com

Fergie's Pub. Monday from 9 p.m. 1214 Sansom St. 215-928-8118, www.fergies.com

MilkBoy Coffee. Monday from 7 p.m., jazz open mike; Tuesday from 7 p.m., rock, pop and soul open mike. 2 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. 610-645-5269, www.milkboycoffee.com.

MilkBoy's Bryn Mawr. Wednesday from 7 p.m. 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr. 610-527-0690, www.milkboycoffee.com

Helium Comedy Club. Tuesday from 7 p.m. 2031 Sansom St. 215-496-9001, www.heliumcomedy.com

The Fire. Monday from 8:30 p.m. 412 W. Girard Ave. 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire

The Auction House. Wednesday from 7 p.m. 100 W. Merchant St., Audubon, N.J. 856-546-7755, www.auctionhouseevents.com/

Lickety Split. Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. Sunday at 9:30 p.m. 401 South St. 215-413-3434, http://www.myspace.com/licketysplitphilly

All free events.