Gene,

On the 5-6 occasions that I've attended open mic night, the audience has been unfailingly polite. I agree with your observation regarding the composition of the audience. Seems to me that half of them are performers or  friends/relatives of said performers. I think there's a lot of favorable buzz in the local music community as they are drawing singers from Manchester, NH to the north and Boston to the south. As to the selection of the performers, I'm pretty sure they have to provide an audition tape. Can't say that I've really heard anyone who embarrassed themself.  Here's the link: http://www.tupelohall.com/

Peter T.