Aside from the fact that I am a not-so-proud owner of one... A Potbelly's sandwich shop opened near me and when we stopped by for the first time Sat. night, there was a little corner where a guy was strumming a Uke and singing. Closer inspection of one of the information boards indicated that live music was to be found there on occasion. I doubt that he was paid, and the "audience" was pretty transient, but it might be a low stress place to play for a novice giger. No stick for me yet, but it made me want to go home and add to my Hammered Dulcimer repertoire and give it a try.

Just do it. Maybe a short first set and try not to suck. You can do it!