Well belated welcome, or welcome to the forum anyways. Personally I came for the tricks, but stayed for the forum. Actually I haven't been here too much longer than you either, but I already feel welcomed and made some friends. But hey, some day's when I feel disciplined I still dig up a trick to work on though, it's great.
And go ahead for the mic night. In that kinda setting even you if you choke and blow it, who cares? They're still prolly not gonna boo ya.