Since the 1960s, coffeehouses have served as smaller forums to see and hear local and regional artists. Hard Luck Café, begun in 1992, strives to do the same by presenting local, regional and up-and-coming national touring artists in an intimate atmosphere. Held on the third Wednesday of the month, from September to June, in the Cinema Arts Centre Sky Room Café, the Hard Luck Café usually features live folk performances, preceded by an open mic (for which sign-up is at 6:30 p.m.).