The Peace Café – a SPECTACULAR finish to a grand Peace Café Season….
July at the Peace Café was everything it was expected to be. As the Peace Café veered in a Jazzy direction for a change, the result was spectacular and the audience approved.
Looking back over the past 2 seasons, each month has been unique. The music is live, so each performance is determined by the interaction between the artists and the audience. The musicians each have their own style and repertoire, and each comes with some plan or expectations as to what songs will be included, but often things change as they get comfortable in the Peace Café setting. And change is good. Also, over these seasons, we have more than once been faced with last minute scheduling changes. For various reasons, an artist becomes unavailable and we have to scramble to find a replacement. Each time it has worked out fine, and there has never been a let down in terms of the quality of the music on our stage.
Well, July also involved change. First, this show was originally scheduled for a snowy January evening. We had to cancel that event due to the weather (in New England? Go figure…) but were so excited at the possibility of bringing Jazz to the Peace Café that we scheduled an extra event at the end of the season. That worked for the Featured Artist, Nicole Zuraitis, but we were suddenly wondering about an Opening Act.
They say that God works in strange ways, so it seemed perfectly normal when an email arrived out of the blue for a young performer who just graduated from Yale and was preparing to leave on a mission trip to
Everything was once again falling miraculously into place and it got even more beautiful when we saw who else was on stage throughout the evening and the intermingling of the two performing groups.
Tina Colon was the Opening Artist and she arrived with a full assortment of talented musicians and their instruments from the Yale Christian Fellowship. Playing and singing in a variety of styles that included, hip hop, R&B, neo-soul, alternative and freestyle, Tina and her troop quickly enchanted the audience. Tina led the singing and played keyboard, and was joined onstage by Kevin Olusola on Cello, Kevin Su on Electric Bass, Juliet Buesing on Guitar and back-up vocals, Zach Enumah on Djembe, and Kyle Brooks on Drum and Freestyle Rap.
Tina’s songs all talk to issues we face in the world today, and reflect her desire to use music as a way to bring justice to the world and to have a positive impact on others. She sang American Dream, Thunder and Hope. Kyle did a freestyle Rap with Kevin on the Cello. Then the group again joined and they played a Different Kind of Love, May I Go For It, and then Revolution for an encore. The music was great and the audience enjoyed this first look at the musical talent that is developing today to shape the sounds we will hear tomorrow.
Nicole Zuraitis is almost a local legend. Coming from
Nicole was joined onstage by Sean Pentland on stand-up Bass, Andrew Lipow on Guitar, and for a couple of songs Darren Litzie took her place on the keyboard for some great Jazz Piano. Additionally, directly from
This wonderful evening would include songs by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, McCoy Tyner and others. Nicole started with her beautiful voice against a background of just Sean on the Bass singing Prelude To A Kiss. They went on to play My Romance, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, I’m Old Fashioned, Love Song, Hallelujah, If I Ain’t Got You,
This music was truly incredible. The interactions between the musicians, the individual talent that each displayed and especially how each was able to step aside while the others performed so that the specific musical talents of each made them all sound even better together. Nicole, who also teaches music, clearly has a special talent for drawing out the most and the best in others to compliment her own musical abilities.
I really can’t say it enough. The music available to you at the Peace Café is second to none. Evenings like this one in July and so many others throughout the year emphasize how blessed we all are to have this coffeehouse available through the First Congregational Church in
You will love it!
The Peace Café – Where People Come To Listen!!
You can reach the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – as the season closes – the best is always last….
June was indeed a special coffeehouse, with some excellent local artists gracing our stage with songs and stories that inspired everyone to realize how much we each have to be thankful for. It was a night in which the background to each song was special and added just the right seasoning to make sure it was enjoyed to the utmost. It once again showed how people can meet for the first time and in a matter of moments, over the coarse of an evening, become friends…. in fact feel like they have known each other for a very long time.
Nina and the Quarry Cats opened the evening with their standard fair…. Sunday Morning showed off Kent Aldrich’s guitar skills and song writing talents, Hey, Good Lookin’, the Hank Williams tune in their own style, Pennies From Heaven and a few of Nina’s own, Honey Don’t Think and Gardening Song. They asked Monique Hill to join them on the stage for I Will Always Turn To You and then did a Kent Aldrich arrangement of Dancing to the Break of Dawn. They got everyone helping with the Cool Dog Shrug and finished up with Bye Bye Love. Nina Romanenko leads this excellent group of musicians, with plenty of help from her husband, Mike Harrison and neighbor, Kent Aldrich. The sounds are pure, the talent extreme and the fun contagious. Don’t miss them when they come back.
Featured for the night, and with that as a lead, we had Horizon Blue. Described as a blend of folk, bluegrass, country, blues and rock, this little group packs a lot of wallop. Monique Hill, Pete Hill (another husband wife team) and Mark Annulli stepped on the stage and quickly changed the tempo to meet their own style. The array of instruments they brought along was impressive on its own – Dobro, StrumStick, Fiberglass Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, along with a bass and several other guitars… but what they did with them was what made the night.
The songs were their own and each was preceded with a story that described why it was written and what it was about. Each was personal but each left room for our own interpretations. Each told a story, and each left you feeling like the story was very personal to yourself. Starting with Father’s Radio and Lucky Like Me, then to Daydreaming and Comes Around, Goes Around. They told us about a Winter State of Mind that brought a June chill to the room, sang about being Happy and then Wild Like the Wind. The set included That’s Life, Ordinary Days (this one touched everyone’s heart), Harvest Night, a waltz that celebrated 20 years of marriage, Moving On and Destiny.
It’s really hard to describe what happened in the Peace Café that night in June, but these artists mixed talent, passion and warmth to create an event that will be hard to match. I hope they come back to try…
The Peace Café is looking to make some changes over the summer. Fresh paint will be applied while we shut down and spruce up to continue bringing you on a wonderful musical journey during the coming season. Join us. You will love it!
There is
July 11th A Special and very Jazzy Event with Tina Colon and Featuring Nicole Zuraitis
There have been many changes to this show. Originally scheduled for a snowy January night, it was rescheduled to July.
The Opening Act will be Tina Colon, a recent graduate from Yale who will be leaving in mid-August for an extended trip to
Nicole Zuraitis is from
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Where People Come To Listen!!
You can reach the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – exposed a very unique feature in May – Time Travel!!!.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, back when Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Crosby Stills, Nash and Young, and James Taylor were just making names for themselves, so imagine my surprise at the May coffeehouse at the Peace Café when I felt as if I had been transported back in time to those wild days of bell bottom pants, tie-dyed shirts, long hair and the freedom to stand up and proclaim your love and your beliefs to everyone. People listened back in the 60’s and 70’s, and true to the slogan that was pinned on the Peace Café a while back, our audience came to listen again.
May was a special coffeehouse for the Peace Cafe. With Lisa Cote and Steve Nyren leading the charge, a bevy of artists, mostly from the First Congregational Church of Southington, joined them on the stage to present a spectacular night of nostalgia and song. Rich McCarty, John Baker, Shelley Nyren and Lisa’s daughter, Tori, all made appearances and contributions to a wonderful night of music, old and new.
Playing favorites from Steve Stills, Kelly Clarkson, The Beatles, Eilen Jewell, Steve Goodman, Graham Nash, Buffalo Springfield, Pure Prairie League and The Eagles, as well as original songs from each artist, this entourage turned an otherwise quiet evening in front of the TV into a musical journey through time and revived memories in everyone there. You cannot listen to these songs without drifting back to another time and place, to remember faces and events that have been dormant in your heart or mind for quite some time.
With Steve Nyren on guitar and harmonica, Lisa Cote on vocals and guitar, and Rich McCarty on guitar, they passed around a variety of additional percussion instruments to the audience to complete the band. Then inviting everyone to participate, they started playing and singing as people joined them (sometimes quite unexpectedly) on (and around) the stage. Helplessly Hoping, Already Gone, Bethany and Seagull got things going and as the evening went on we heard Nowhere Man, Heartache Blvd, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Kissed a Girl, Rocky Raccoon, Teach Your Children, Amie, Lucky Man, Hello My Friend, City of New Orleans and For What It’s Worth, along with many, many more great songs.
The blend of music and voices was truly fantastic and this was surely an All Star event at the Peace Cafe. The warmth of the audience, the interaction between everyone, rekindled the feelings that are so old, yet so new, and thankfully not so forgotten. Peace and love are what this coffeehouse and this church are all about. Sharing our gifts and making everyone welcome help make this place and these people all very special.
These memories are too good to miss. Come down and check it out.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. But time is running out. The future of the Peace Café is uncertain, so catch it while you have a chance. There is a full slate through July and each month builds on the one before. Join us. You will love it!
June 13th Nina & the Quarry Cats Horizon Blue
July 11th A Special Event with members of the Southington HS Jazz Band and
Featuring the Beautiful Jazz of Nicole Zuraitis
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Where People Come To Listen!!
Please let us know if you are interested in helping keep the Peace Café going. Pat Liberty is asking interested people to attend a meeting to help determine the future of the Peace Café this Sunday around 11:00 or 11:30 at the Church. Please come and let us know your thoughts and ideas.
You can reach the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – true to its word, continues to provide a unique experience each and every month.
April was no different. Missing, for the most part, in April was an audience, perhaps the fact that the 2nd Saturday fell right between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. But just as this night 2000 years ago provided the backdrop for Christ’s ascension, so too did it allow the musicians at the Peace Café a setting to express their love for Jesus and the joy he displayed through their music.
Opening in April was a newcomer to the Peace Café from distant
Unveiling Glory, the Featured Act, needed the full stage for their keyboard, guitar and drums. The bass was absent for family reasons that night, but the music was on beat and lively, none the less. Unveiling Glory claims to bring an “Encounter Worship Experience”, and they find ways to worship in their music, songs and stories. Each song has a special message from the lives of the band members, and it was easy to get into the rhythm and flow and feel the glory they were trying so hard to convey.
Well, we always say that each Peace Café coffeehouse is unique, and Unveiling Glory kept us true to our word. After playing for an hour or so Derek Pepin, the lead guitar for the band, stopped and spoke to us all about exactly why Jesus was so important in his life, while his wife played some gentle chords on her keyboard in the background, Many of us call ourselves Christians, and many of us do “Christian” things during each week, but Derek explained that his was a complete commitment to Jesus that enveloped each and every moment of his life. He told stories of the days before he had realized the role Jesus would play in his life and how events led him to refocus his activities around something that he now feels drives every action he takes. He explained that he is far from perfect, how a family (wife and children) add challenges that often make him realize that his commitment requires changes, apologies, and getting back onto the path that he is so sure is right. He spoke from the depths of his soul and we all felt the emotion and commitment contained in every word.
Oddly, for a Christian coffeehouse, this was a unique event that could never have been planned. It was spontaneous. It was, perhaps, aided by the size of the gathering. It was beautiful to behold.
Things are always new at the Peace cafe, that is what makes each coffeehouse unique. None can be repeated. You can’t by the tape or CD or catch it later on your divo. The music and entertainment is live, made just for you while you watch and listen. These memories are too good to miss. Check it out.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. But time is running out. The future of the Peace Café is uncertain, so catch it while you have a chance. There is a full slate through July and each month builds on the one before. Join us. You will love it!
May 9th Rich McCarty Steve Nyren, Lisa Cote & Friends
June 13th Nina & the Quarry Cats Horizon Blue
July 11th A Special Event Featuring the Beautiful Jazz of Nicole Zuraitis
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and hear the Music!
Please let us know if you are interested in helping keep the Peace Café going. You can sign up to help when you are available – one event or many – it’s up to you. Please let us know. The work is not hard and the people you meet are wonderful.
You can reach the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
April 2009
The Peace Café – the warming trend continues, hopefully Spring will start to bear signs of life.
March was a slow month for the Peace Café. Our stage was graced with some wonderful and talented artists, but the audience was small. Those who did come to hear the music and support our efforts were blessed with a great show.
The Opening Artist was a Peace Café favorite. Eric Paradine is a local artist who has been on our stage many times. With his guitar and ukulele in hand, Eric lead the audience through an assortment of songs, both new and old. Promising that the new CD he was working on would be ready in 2 or 3 months, he told his stories and played his songs to the delight of everyone. His songs have a local flavor and he started with Connecticut Flows with the rhythm of the mighty river that splits our state. He sang of love (Good To Be In Love), as well as hope with The Work Song or “Good Times Coming Down The Road”.
Eric’s songs reflect his views of the world. He touched our need to start being smart about how we use our natural resources with Don’t Drive No Car, Don’t Burn No Gas, and he spoke to us about the fact that many people in our world do not have enough water to survive. He pointed us to a website that you all should check out and support if you are able – http://www.charitywater.org/.
Eric played many songs that hit on different themes, from The Doctor Song or “I Know What’s Wrong, We Take Way Too Long”, to What Dreamers Do or “Don’t Mind Me If I Stay Up Late”, to Laying On The Ukulele In My Hand, to Do The Same Thing Again or “St. Peter At The Pearly Gate, Now Let Me Get This Straight”. Eric was fantastic and it is always wonderful to hear him play.
The Featured Artist was Cross Purpose, a band made up of Bob Stanhope, Roy Ellingsen, Mike Mayer and Tim Kennedy. As fate would have it, Mike needed sudden surgery on his hand a few days before and was not able to play his Bass. An ailing mother in
Switching between a variety of folk and electric guitars spanning many decades, Bob and Roy gave us a taste for what Cross Purpose could really do. With keen words, superb guitar play and melodies, they wove a pattern that kept us all mesmerized throughout their set. The passion of their commitment to the music they played was so strong that you often found yourself letting your breath out at the end of the song.
Starting with Sunday’s Coming, Bob and
Bob and Roy put on a superb show, but they just whetted our appetite to see the full power of what Cross Purpose could be with all 4 artists at full strength. Adding drums and an upright Bass guitar to the electric, folk and Resonator guitars would truly be spectacular. They tempted us by saying they would consider coming back next season to shake things up again. Stay tuned.
Things are always changing, that is what makes each coffeehouse at the Peace Café unique. None can be repeated. You can’t by the tape or CD or catch it later on your divo. The music is live, made just for you while you watch and listen. These memories are too good to miss. Check it out.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. We have a full slate straight through July (listed below) and each month builds o n the one before. Join us. You will love it!
April 11th Lisa Lawrence Unveiling Glory
Unveiling Glory has a simple purpose, to love and worship God through the gifts he has given them. This
Lisa Lawrence will open, and like any good folk singer, her songs tell stories, but do not overlook her musical abilities. Lisa sings with emotion from the depths of her soul.
May 9th Rich McCarty Steve Nyren, Lisa Cote & Friends
June 13th Nina & the Quarry Cats Horizon Blue
July 11th A Special Event Featuring the Beautiful Jazz of Nicole Zuraitis
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and hear the Music!
We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. You can sign up to help when you are available – one event or many – it’s up to you. Please let us know. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic.
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – Is winter finally coming to an end????
February was a cold month but the Peace Café still had a very warm and welcome show on Valentine’s Day. With a heart shaped theme of reds and whites, the coffeehouse was decked out for an evening to remember Love and both artists played a mix of Love and Love Lost songs that emphasized great instrumentals and wonderful harmonies.
The Opening Artists were new to the Peace Café. Kenn Morr lives in
Playing songs from their 3 CDs, they entertained the audience with Pay the Price, Move On, River Song and Cold Winds. They played Mesa Moon and then went into Lazy Afternoon with some great Bass and Drum solos. In The Name of Rock and Roll kept the pace at top speed before Kenn slowed things down with a song written for his wife, Janet, called Still Need You Near, a lovely thoughtful tune that reflected on love and family. Janet and his two fine sons were at the coffeehouse for this. They finished up with a nice piece called Higher Ground. Kenn Morr and his band are a great example of the local talent available to us all and we look forward to their return next season.
Kenn Morr was a tough act to follow for Twice Around. Luisa Tanno and Frank Veres were the Featured Artists and they walked on the stage facing an audience that was still catching its breadth. Whereas some may have been challenged by this scene, Twice Around quickly built rapport and when they started to play, it was a different direction but the music was beautiful and the harmonies reminded everyone that art and beauty take many different forms and expressions.
Frank and Luisa’s set covered many songs from their CDs, both new and old. They started with
There were a number of other songs thrown in and each made you think it was the best one yet, only to be outdone by the next. As I listened to their music and the way the talked with the audience, I was struck by their ability to keep everyone focused on the song they were playing, everyone trying not to miss a single piece of the words, the music or the harmonies. The beauty was in the blend and no one could do it like they did.
So, just as I thought for Frank and Luisa, the March coffeehouse artists have a tough act to follow. But something tells me that they, too, will be up to the task. Eric Paradine will be Opening and most of us know Eric’s talents. He has played at the Peace Café and many other local haunts and is well-liked by all. The Featured Artists are also known here. Cross Purpose is Bob Stanhope’s band, a group of Christian Brothers that found a special harmony when they played together to honor God. Their message is special and they have the music to back it up.
It seems that there is something unique about the music at the Peace Café each month. Unfortunately, it can’t be repeated. It isn’t on tape or CD, it’s live, and there really isn’t anything like watching an artist create beauty right before your eyes. CDs are good, but memories are invaluable. Don’t miss these once in a lifetime events.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. We have a full slate straight through July (listed below) and each month builds on the one before. Join us. You will love it!
March 14th Eric Paradine Cross Purpose
April 11th Lisa Lawrence Unveiling Glory
May 9th Rich McCarty Steve Nyren, Lisa Cote & Friends
June 13th Nina & the Quarry Cats Horizon Blue
July 11th A Special Event Featuring the Beautiful Jazz of Nicole Zuraitis
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and hear the Music!
We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic. You can sign up to help when you are available – one event or many – it’s up to you. Please let us know.
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – What happened to January????
Well, 2009 arrived and hit the Peace Café (and all of CT) with a white and icy storm. After a fun sing-a-long in December, January’s event became a silent night. We were ready to go but did not want to risk people traveling in the bad weather. So, our Jazzy New Year’s kick-off fizzled.
The good news is that Nicole Zuraitis has just agreed to reschedule for July 11th. So, even though we did not kick-off the year with her beautiful, jazzy songs, we will instead be able to close the season with a very jazzy finale. Mark your calendars now because she is fantastic.
Speaking of fantastic, that brings us to this Saturday, February 14th. Many of you are searching right now for an economically wonderful way to share some quiet time with your loved one. It is, after all, the day of love and romance, Valentine’s Day. So why not consider a quiet, early dinner and then slip away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to the Peace Café coffeehouse. Twice Around will take the stage to warm your hearts and remind you how fun it is to be together. The atmosphere is romantic, the lights are low, and Frank and Luisa’s songs and music will transport you back to the early days when your love was fresh and innocent.
That is after all what this is all about. The First Congregational Church of Southington gives us a warm and friendly place to gather, enjoy the talented people who share this community with us, and spread the love that God has for each of us. I am reminded of the story of the mother who rushed out of work early to attend her young daughter’s school Christmas show. She arrived late and stood in the back of the room as the children began to sing “Christmas Love”. As the song progressed, each child held up a letter from the song’s name. Her daughter was going to be the ‘M’, but when her turn came she held it up – upside down. It was a ‘W’. The mother tried to get her attention to turn it over, but the child happily continued just as she was and the song came to an end. As the parents applauded, the mother noticed that the kids had in fact done something very beautiful – their signs spelled C-H-R-I-S-T-W-A-S-L-O-V-E.
Love is a good thing and there is far too little in today’s world. Between everyday stress and the fact that there is not enough time to get everything done, we all deserve a chance to relax and unwind. So, on this very romantic day, take the hand of the one you love and come to the Peace Café to be reminded about the love that is all around us and the special love you share.
Kenn Morr will start things off this Saturday. He came to CT just 5 years ago, looking for small town comfort and familiarity. He found it in Colebrook where he sought peace, quiet, seclusion and privacy but found community instead. Now, the good people and unforgettable scenery of this tiny town have quietly woven themselves into Kenn’s rich musical tapestry. Come and enjoy.
The featured artist at March’s coffeehouse will be Cross Purpose. Bob Stanhope played at the Peace Café back in our first year and now comes back with his band to share some very special songs and music.
Yes, another Peace Café event that you wont want to miss.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. We have a full slate straight through July and each month builds on the one before. Join us. You will love it!
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of Southington. Bring your friends and relatives (don’t forget the kids) and LET’S
The Peace Café – Come and hear the Music!
We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic. You can sign up to help when you are available – one event or many – it’s up to you. Please let us know.
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org.
The Peace Café – Happy New Year…
The Peace Café has made it to 2009 and we look forward to seeing you all in this new year.
December was a fun evening at the Peace Cafe. After the tumult of the Keith & Mazer Trio being forced to cancel due to airline schedule changes, and struggling to figure out who else might be available to play, we were blessed when Lara Herscovitch stepped up and led the Christmas Carols.
Lara was on stage at the Peace Café last December (hummm, maybe we have a tradition here) and proved again what was so special about that night. She has a natural talent for connecting with the audience and a quick wit that worked well as we all tried to sing the well known classics. It is interesting to learn how many different versions of some songs exist, but even when we all went in our own directions, Lara managed to keep things on track. In fact with some songs we did extra choruses so that everyone could get their own words in.
The evening was extra special as we all took some time to consider the real meaning of Christmas. Lara has done work for social causes and on behalf of disadvantaged people around the world, and took some time to remind us that Christmas trees and presents were not what Jesus might consider the best way to show the beauty in our hearts. We are very rich compared to most of the world today, but we become even richer when we take the time to share with others in need.
Some other highlights at the December coffeehouse were Christmas goodies to go with the Hot Chocolate, the sound of little feet running around everywhere and plenty of Trivia. Most everyone was able to answer one of these rare nuggets of Christmas lore and there were ample sugar fixes and trinkets for to the wise one’s in the audience. For instance, do you know what instrument Silent Night was written for? Or do you know what year electric Christmas lights were first used?
Well, the end result was a fun time and good music, with many thank you’s to Lara for being the angel that she is on a cold December night at the Peace Cafe.
Which brings us to January 10th and the next coffeehouse. We are making a very slight alteration in course to start the new year. We plan to jazz things up a bit.
We will start with our own Rich McCarty who has shown us many times what he can do with some words and a guitar. Rich’s style swings from slow, quiet numbers to some tunes that really get your feet tapping. He is as comfortable on stage as he is talking to you one on one, and is sure to please everyone with some songs we all know, and perhaps some surprises.
The featured artist at January’s coffeehouse will be the lovely Nicole Zuraitis. Nicole brings her own twist to many Jazz tunes. Songs you will know and love will sparkle with her unique style and beautiful voice. A native of CT, Nicole strives to prove that excellent technical prowess and a love for all forms of music is the key to success. A recent Magna Cum Laude graduate from
This will be another Peace Café event that you wont want to miss.
The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. We have a full slate straight through June and each month builds on the one before. Join us. You will love it!
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A extra, little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and hear the Music!
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org. We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic.
The Peace Café – The songs of Christmas….
Change happens, but we all move on…. And the Peace Café gets set for the holidays.
November was another great evening with the music of Driving Reign. Based in
New Britain, Driving Reign makes a statement for what Christian music is all about. Tina and Stephen Cianci are the keys that got Driving Reign started and they had wonderful backup from the rest of the band – Tom Loene, George Amatore and Dee Elloian.
Their sets included many of the songs from their recent CD release, simply called Driving Reign. They played My Driving Reign, In Your Eyes, Walk On, Take My Hand, I Surrender, Gotta Have Jesus and Matter of the Heart. Their songs change tempo often and fit nicely behind Tina’s beautiful vocals.
In their second set, they became a little more adventurous, playing some new songs and having fun with a wireless guitar. They led the set with Stop and immediately went into a new song, Hold On, which was followed by I Owe, during which
As expected, the music was pure, the vocals superb, and the songs both warm and enlightening. The audience was pleased as Driving Reign once again showed us all that their music was just the blessing they hoped to give us all.
Which brings us to the wonderful world of change in which we live. December’s coffeehouse was the brainchild of Susan Mazer who started us thinking about a Christmas Sing-A-Long to set the stage for a beautiful Christmas. This is the chance to really open the doors to families to join in Fellowship and welcome in the true meaning of Christmas.
Well…….
The Keith and Mazer Trio are scheduled to play the following week down on a warm sunny island. They had their flight all set for the following Monday and all was going just fine, when the economy suddenly decided to play tricks on everyone. As a result, many flights have been cancelled, including theirs, and the only flight they could get would not allow them to play at the Peace Café on the 13th.
So……
Lots of ideas were shared and other schedules started to become a problems and all looked to be doomed when an angel appeared. Some of you may recall when Lara Herscovitch was here last December sharing her own style of music and her message of peace, love and social responsibility. Lara’s reviews are always spectacular and her style is indeed unique and charismatic, and we are somehow blessed to have her coming back to share her own music and lead a wonderful Christmas Sing-A-Long.
It has really been a little bit wild pulling this together but I am very excited to have Lara coming and am certain this will be a wonderful coffeehouse. We will have Christmas Trivia with prizes for the wise among us and Christmas treats and hot Chocolate for all.
I hope you will all come down, bring your children and friends and lets sing up a storm to really welcome Christmas and prepare for the celebration when the Christ child joins us all again on Christmas Day.
January’s coffeehouse will be a night of beautiful Jazz with the lovely Nicole Zuraitis. This will be another Peace Café event that you wont want to miss. The Peace Café continues to bring you on a wonderful musical journey with surprises each month. Join us. You will love it!
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and SING the Music!
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org. We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic.
The Peace Café – The Good, The Bad and The Memories….
The new season started October 11th…. And this looks to be a spectacular year at the Peace Café.
Lisa Cote and Steve Nyren kicked off the 2008/2009 season for the Peace Café with a wonderful mix of favorites and original songs. They complimented and played off each other, taking turns selecting songs to sing that blended guitar and harmonica with Steve’s rustic, “Bob Dylan” voice with Lisa’s lovely vocals and harmonies. Mixing several songs that we all could sing along with, like “Falling” (Beatles) and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” (Eagles), they each played originals that each had a warm story attached. Steve shared “Lucky Man” written for his wife Shelly and Lisa gave us “Hello, My Friend” and “I Am A Town”.
Although the set was short, the ease with which they backed each other up and the songs they brought to share was indeed a perfect start to the new season at the Peace Café. It is good to know that they will both be back later this season (and accompanied by a few other friends) to really expand on their musical and vocal artistry.
Before I move on to the Featured Artist from October, I have something I need to share. I received a phone call after the coffeehouse from someone who is a member of our Church and who attended that coffeehouse. They wanted to express a concern. Unfortunately. several other people noticed the same thing and stopped me afterwards to point it out, as well. Once Steve and Lisa finished their set, half the audience left. I understand that we all have families and personal things to do, but the coffeehouse does run late and most people who stay to the end are home before 10:00. Common courtesy suggests that if you come in to see a show you actually stay to see it. Aside from how the Featured Artist must have felt after sitting in the audience for the Opening Act, to watch people leaving as he took the stage, this reflects on our Church. The good musicians that we want to come here to play all know and talk to each other. We say that the Peace Café is where people come to listen. Let’s not have the musicians whispering “to themselves”.
Anyway, for those who stayed, we got a real treat with Joel Blumert. Joel is a finger-style guitarist and aside from the exquisite artistry he displayed for us all, he gave us a guitar lesson, an interesting breakdown of why he uses custom made 10 string guitars, great stories of his career (including anecdotes about some famous musicians, like Ahmad Jamal), and some wonderful songs that evoked laughter, sadness and the peace that comes from hearing an artist at work.
Starting with “
Joel was wonderful and the way people kept him on the stage talking afterwards for quite a while indicates that his music and talents were appreciated, along with the experiences he had to share with everyone. He played the next night in a CT Blues Society competition where he came back a week later as a finalist. He finished second. He lives here in CT and if you get the chance to hear him play, you will not be disappointed.
I often speak about the fact that nothing compares to seeing and hearing a true artist mold beauty right before you. The sounds they create and the songs that they sing especially for you become memories that are yours forever. Don’t miss out on the monthly opportunity to see true art created on the stage at the Peace Café. They say that the best things in life are free. Come on down and see for yourself.
The memories are a great side-benefit from coming to the Peace Café, but now I am going to share something really amazing – upcoming Featured Artists. The line-up for 2008/2009 is going to bring some wonderful artists, some Folk, some Rock, some Jazz, and a family show for Christmas.
Starting in November (NEXT SATURDAY – DON’T MISS IT!) is Driving Reign. Back again after rave reviews last year and featuring our own Dee Elloian. December will bring the Keith & Mazer Trio with a Christmas Sing-a-Long. This is a family event – YES, BRING THE KIDS and be prepared to answer the trivia questions (prizes?). January will be a switch with a beautiful Jazz singer, Nicole Zuraitis. And the rest of the year stays at the same high level with the Twice Around Duo, Bob Stanhope and the Cross Purpose Band, Unveiled Glory, Steve, Lisa & Friends and finally Horizon Blue.
The line-up is fabulous with each month ready to change direction and bring you along on a wonderful musical journey. Join us. You will love it!
So come on down to your Peace Cafe. A little blessing from the First Congregational Church right in the heart of
The Peace Café – Come and Hear the Music!
I am Dan Gabree and you can reach me or others on the Peace Café Committee at PeaceCafe@FirstChurchSouthington.Org. We are still looking for anyone who is interested in helping out at the Peace Café. It is as much fun as it is work and the memories are fantastic.
The Peace Café – the place people come to listen.
The new season starts October 11th!
Last season (our first) was wonderful. We had the opportunity to make new friends, meet and hear many great musicians, and enjoy the Peace Café as a place to rest weary bones, kick back and relax.
One of the memorable events from last season was Red Molly. Anyone who attended that concert will recall the beautiful melodies that those three women brought to our stage. You will also recall that they ended with a fabulous, a cappella rendition of Susan Werner’s song May I Suggest. They hinted that it would be on their upcoming CD, and I am happy to say that CD is available and, yes, the song is on it. Love and Other Tragedies by Red Molly is available on CD Baby, and although nothing will ever equal hearing them sing it live, the song still strikes a warm chord in my heart when I play it.
Speaking of the beauty of live music, that is what the Peace Café is all about. Radio and CDs are great, but nothing compares to seeing and hearing a true artist mold beauty before you. They create sounds and memories that are yours forever, and the fact that you get this every month at the Peace Café is a wonderful blessing from God and the First Congregational Church of Southington.
And speaking of churches, as many of us know, the First Congregational Church of Southington is undergoing some change. Not just the steeple, but we are brining in a new Minister to lead our Church, and have the wonderful Reverend Pat Liberty filling in while those decisions are being made. Change is a process and it affects people in different ways. It is also affecting the Peace Café.
I think it is important for all of us to step back and consider that this Church is not just a building or a minister, rather it is the very people who make it up and the power of the deeds we do together. This Church (the people who make it up) has accomplished many wonderful things for those in need around the globe. Locally, as well, we have much to our credit and the Peace Café is just an example. Yet we worry about change. Well, the steeple will be fixed and a new Minister will be chosen and the Church will still be the Church, still nothing more than the people who are the Church family. Isn’t that great!?
That Red Molly (Susan Werner) song I mentioned above…. It says:
“May I suggest this is the best time of your life. This time is blessed for you.”
That says it all. We have many wonderful, beautiful opportunities before us, and all we have to do is step up and continue to do what is right. This Church is alive and the Peace Café is alive.
But we need you to step up and help it keep moving on. We need people to help, whether it is for one evening, one month or as an integral part of the Peace Café. The work is not hard and the rewards are fantastic. Please see Dee or myself if you can spare even just a little time to be part of something grand.
How grand? Well, consider this. In October, we will have Joel Blumert back to remind us why his picture was in all the papers when he played here last time. A fixture on the CT blues/folk scene since the 60’s, though known mostly to other musicians for his original, driving, intricate guitar, - and powerful, expressive vocals. Joel is soaked in blues. A singer, songwriter, finger-style guitar player, he has shared the stage with some of the best musicians in the world, and now comes back to share his talents with us again.
We will have our own Steve Nyren and Lisa Cote bringing warm music and beautiful vocals as an opening act and the night is sure to set a perfect mood for the rest of the season at the Peace Café.
Please come down to help us RE-start with a bang. Bring friends and relatives and LET’S ALL HAVE A GREAT TIME at the Peace Café on Saturday, October 11th.
The Peace Café – Come and Hear the Music!
The Peace Café – the place people come to listen.
As June 14th rapidly approaches, so does the last coffeehouse of the season for the Peace Café. Yes, this Saturday will be your last chance to experience what so many others have since last March when we first opened the doors at the Peace Café. We have had a full year (+) of great music, laughter, fellowship and reflection. Last week Cece and Ruth gave the audience a whirlwind, around-the-world tour, and this week we have Sanctified opening for the fantastic Robert Messore.
Cece and Ruth had a great show at the Peace Café in May. Go Global! was the theme, and that is exactly what they did. Bringing on stage no less than 15 different instruments (including a hand piano, badran, a ‘63 Ovation guitar, calimbo, rain stick, banjo and many others), they played songs and music from about 18 different countries. The audience would have liked to hear more and hopefully they will come back next season to resume globe trotting with us all.
Some of the treats they brought to us were The Morrocca Song (Columbia), Pharaoh (England), Guantanamera (Cuba), Deepest Africa (a fantasy safari), Yeke Omo Mi (Nigeria), La Pistola & El Corazon (Spain), Umru Mayne (My Unrest in Yiddish), Accordian Song (Russian Folk Song), Sovay – The Female Highwayman (Celtic), and Jamaican Farewell. Many of these songs are passed down among family members in countries and have been collected by Cece and Ruth over the years. They each have a story behind them and these artists have a wonderful way of weaving these into their setup for each piece. They also had handouts for the audience that explained a bit about the songs and made it easy for everyone to join in on a few of the lyrics.
Gil Dube also joined us again and was brought to the stage to join Cece and Ruth in one song. As usual, his harmonica added a nice touch to their beautiful music and vocals.
To everyone that missed this performance, be sure to keep your eyes opened for them to come back next season. They were a truly grand experience and well worth coming to see again.
Meanwhile, anyone who remembers back to last April might recall that Robert Messore was the opening act for Steven Webb. Robert is described as one of the best finger-style guitarists in Connecticut, and many might claim his reach goes farther than this small state. As I think back to last April, I remember my pleasure to recognize the versatility he brought to the stage, not only in his talent but also his ability to react to the audience. We had kids there that night and he was able to swing from fine instrumental pieces to playful songs that the children would enjoy. He brought a clever wit, a nice voice and a great selection of songs. I now have a couple of his CDs (at a great price) that are among the ones I listen to most often.
Opening this week will be Sanctified (they used to call themselves Water to Wine). Coming up from
After the June 14th coffeehouse, the Peace Café will be closing for the summer. Music on the green will give you all an outlet for your musical yearnings, and we will have a chance to make some subtle, but necessary, improvements to the Peace Café. It has been a great first year and this should be a fantastic way to end the season.
Please come down to help us end with a bang. Bring friends and relatives and LET’S ALL HAVE A GREAT TIME at the Peace Café this Saturday, June 14th.
The Peace Café – Come and Hear the Music!
April 2008
The Peace Café – the place people come to listen.
Well, it is the last minute again and I am frantically trying to get the newsletter out. The season is rapidly coming to a close with just two (yes, 2) more coffeehouses before we shut down for the summer to do some repairs and enhancements that will make next season better than ever. We are starting to book the acts for next year (starting in October) and the line-up already looks grand.
The April coffeehouse was fantastic. There was a last minute change and the opening act magically became Jim “Bucky” Wallace. Bucky played a nice opening set with a variety of old and new folk tunes that everyone enjoyed. The reaction from the crowd was so good that we have started thinking of when he might come back again next year.
The Featured Artists in April were not strangers to anyone from
Starting with an old Otis Redding song, “Trick or Treat”, they set a nice mood and quickly slipped into “Stuck in the Middle with You”. They then told the audience to “get their kicks on” and played a great swing tune, “Route 66”. They played “Ain’t No Sunshine When He’s Gone”. Ava Cassidy’s “Fields of Gold”, and a lovely instrumental (Susan and David) version of “The Girl From Ipanema”.
Also on the play list for this very talented trio was “Changes”, “Baby You Can Drive My Car”, a great duet of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Susan and Megan, and “Baby I Love You”. The audience called them back for an encore and were treated to “Billy Jean Is Not My Lover”.
As everyone expected, the show was great and the music lively. During the evening someone pointed out that The Peace Café was a great venue for live artists because it was a place people come to listen. Not a bad way to think of what we have here.
This month (TONIGHT!!!!!) we have Cece and Ruth coming to the Peace Café to sing and entertain us, but also to teach us some new songs, enlighten us about other countries and generally get us into a good mood to sing, dance and have fun. Playing for many years in many places, Cece and Ruth sing about love, war & peace, hearth & home, from the American West to the Celtic Isles. Their songs range from the silly to the sublime and there is indeed something for everyone. You wont want to miss this magic carpet ride to exotic places and times.
Next month we have a wonderful guitarist coming back to the Peace Café. Renowned for his superb finger style guitar work and with a proven range of songs that can please all ages, Robert Messore is the last show of the season and he is certainly a fantastic way to end our first year.
Don’t miss Robert Messore on June 14th.
Don’t miss Cece & Ruth tonight.
It was just a year ago that a band called #9 appeared at the Peace Café and entertained a packed house with their own versions of many songs written by The Beatles. Well, this year they came back and once again treated the Peace Café audience to a medley of songs that brought back memories, made feet tap and made hands clap. Never missing a beat, #9 reminded us all of that British foursome that hit the shores of
The band, #9, has remained fairly consistent since last year. Led by Geo Filippides on guitar, they include: Bob Glick (guitar), Dave Zerio (keyboards), Chris Griffin (horns & percussion), Chip Hulten (bass), Ralph Bushnell (drums), and, of course, Ken Sullivan and Ted Andrzejczuk (vocals). This show also featured Brian Griffin (sax, flute and piccolo) and Sharon Vocke (flute and clarinet).
#9 plays what they play out of love for what they do. Often playing at charity events, they are blessed twice – once by the people they help raise money for and once by doing what they enjoy doing. And they do it well. With a long list of songs they know and practice, they share a selection of songs that span the many years the Beatles played together. With album covers and video clips behind them, this was a true multimedia event with live artists making the music right there on stage.
Starting with All My Loving they proceeded through One After 909, Do You Want To Know A Secret and You Can’t Do That. Through the first set, which lasted over an hour, they gave us Baby You’re A Rich Man, Here Comes The Sun, Good Day Sunshine, She’s A Woman, Being For The Benefit Of Mister Kite, Help!, Penny Lane, Honey Pie, I Am The Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever and many more.
After a short intermission for snacks and coffee, #9 was back and ready to play again. The second set included Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, Lady Madonna, Paperback Writer, I Want You (She’s So Heavy), Lovely Rita, This Boy, Savoy Truffle, When I’m Sixty Four, Oh Darling and While My Guitar Gently Weeps among several others. They then were called back for a beautiful encore - A Day In The Life.
As a way to celebrate the Peace Café’s 1 year anniversary, this was a great show and Geo suggested that #9 would be ready to do it again in March of 2009. You may want to mark down the second Saturday now to make sure you don’t miss what is sure to be a great event.
Meanwhile, coming next Saturday, April 12th, we are excited to have the Keith & Mazer Trio taking the stage at the Peace Café. Megan Keith and Susan Mazer have teamed up with David Keith to create a sound that has drawn excellent reviews at many local establishments. Megan was lead singer for Eight to the Bar, CT’s premier rhythm & blues band, and has toured
I am sure many of you have already heard their great music and if you haven’t, you really need to make sure you come to the Peace Café this Saturday (April 12th). They are a wonderful treat and considering they are local to
So mark your calendars, tell your friends and make sure you come down to the Peace Café on the 12th. The music is always good, the mood is always friendly and you can treat friends and family to a wonderful evening right here in the center of
Hope to see you there.
As winter rolls along, the Peace Café remains a warm haven for comfort and fellowship.
In February, we were again blessed with artists who came to share their art and talent with us all.
Dan Bonis brought a virtual museum of instruments that he used to create his beautiful music, a Weisenborg Guitar with wood from Hawaii, a Lap Steele, a Dobro and a Mandolin to name a few. His songs blended words and music that lured you to relax as you watched his intricate finger play. He sang Delivering the Cake, Irene and Patience And Hope from his CD.
The featured artists, Open Book, were sensational. Michele Rubin and Rick Gedney have been together for several years now with 2 CDs to their credit. Playing songs from both, as well as a few new offerings, they struck an early chord with the audience that lasted all evening. Starting with many of their originals – Downstream,
They really hit home with a personal song named There For You that was written from a parent to their daughter. The ended with a wonderful series of songs that included Love Is Everything, Waiting, No Time To Cry, and Grateful. This latter is how the audience felt as they belted out the loud final applause.
The Peace Café has a few more months of music for you before we stop for some needed repairs and improvements to the facility. In March, celebrating their appearance 1 year ago, we will have Number 9 playing their own brand of Beetlemania. This show will be held upstairs in the Meetinghouse top allow for additional room for the audience and the ability to utilize the video capabilities available.
In April, we are pleased to present The Keith and Mazer Trio who you may have seen at Smokin’ With Chris or other local haunts. May will bring the beautiful sounds of Cece and Ruth and then in June we have a double blessing. Sanctified is a group from another CT Church (like our Branches) that started singing together and found they really liked what they did and what it sounded like. This is a great chance to hear how music is impacting other Churches. The second blessing is the reappearance of Robert Massore, widely regarded as the best finger-style guitarist in the state. He was great last April and is sure to be so again.
As always, we are looking for people to join us in our effort to bring music, art and fellowship to our
Otherwise, please come and enjoy what we have and tell your friends. In a world that provides us all with a constant choice of music and babble through radios, ipods and such, to have the chance to hear live music created right before your eyes and ears is a treat that many have forgotten. It is becoming rarer and more expensive to find good live entertainment, and we at the Peace Café are trying to make sure that once each month you have an easy choice that is guaranteed to please. It is entertainment that can’t be beat. Don’t miss it!!!
A very busy month to start the New Year.
n January, we had a double feature at the Peace Café. In addition to our normal coffeehouse on the 12th, we were lucky enough to get Red Molly to come in for a Special Concert. Both shows were outstanding.
Lisa Martin kicked off 2008 with a wonderful performance on the 12th. Her emotionally charged music hit the spot for everyone as she played both old and new selections. Accompanied again by Bill Newton (Bass) and Brad Willard (Drums), Lisa shared songs and stories. She opened with a song about being a parent called Without You, that pulled on everyone’s heart strings. She sang Set Me on Fire, Touch the Sky, Anything For You Love and These Eyes. Then Lisa sang what she called a “positive love song” – Don’t Take It For Granted. For an encore, Lisa sang SuperWoman. Lisa’s music lulls you into the melody then makes you think or dream as the words catch hold. A great show.
Red Molly stepped onto our stage a week later and lived up to every expectation. With a variety of instruments and wonderful harmonies, Red Molly sings about everyday people in an everyday world. And they do it extremely well.
We had the pleasure of Dan Barry and a guest attending the show and Dan wrote a great review in the Hartford Advocate published on
Seeing Red
Red Molly sing the cheeriest murder ballads you’ll ever hear
By Dan Barry
“You guys are so polite!” chided Red Molly’s Laurie MacAllister after the audience’s applause lapsed into awkward silence. She was understating the obvious. We were in a church basement in
The trio — consisting of MacAllister, Abbie Gardner, and Carolann Solebello — runs the gamut from gentle folk to rowdy bluegrass, from plucky to tender. Some of their songs are originals, some of their songs are covers (think Patti Griffin and Nancy Griffith), but as a whole their material is full of salt-of-the-earth workers, highways, rest stops, self-righteous hookers, and sly Fried Green Tomatoes references. It’s a terribly fun ride. Their arrangements are carefully measured — no waste, no indulgences, no wanderings. Each musical moment is precisely picked so that most songs clock in around the three-minute mark. There’s no time to get bored, and the arrangements are too tight to ever be tedious.
Sharing one central stand-up microphone, the Mollies play banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro, and acoustic bass, literally stepping forward and back to adjust their volume levels as they sing. Their three-part harmonies are especially notable, since the trio’s voices are profoundly coordinated in tone and texture as well as pitch. They’ll be spending the winter working on their first studio album, a follow-up to their debut live disc Never Been to Vegas . You can give them a listen at www.redmolly.com. If you want to see the Mollies, they’ll be around these parts again on March 8th, when they play the Sounding Board in
The full article can be found on the Hartford Advocate website: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=5392
Red Molly closed their show with May I Suggest, by Susan Werner. Laura, Abbie and Carolann sang this a cappella and there was not a dry eye in the house. Everyone there is eagerly awaiting Red Molly’s new CD due to be released around May of this year. This song is expected to be on the CD.
Coming up in February is another night of good music you wont want to miss. Following a Pot Luck Supper at the Church, the Peace Café will present Open Book. Made up of Michele Rubin and Rick Gedney, Open Book offers an exquisite musicality rooted in modern-day folk, tuneful rock and countrified jangle pop plus a lyrical perspective brimming with real life and mature emotion.
Opening that night will be Dan Bonis, Ever since his grandmother gave him an accordion as a 12 year old boy, Dan’s desire to learn, write and play music has grown. On Feb 9th, he may let us see how his talents have expanded to include guitar, banjo and his current obsession with lap-style slide instruments.
March 8th will be yet another repeat performance as the group that helped open the Peace Café a year ago will come back to rock the house again. Anyone remember a group named with a number?
The Peace Café is still growing and is looking for some help. We a\re eager to hear from anyone who would like to join our team and help us keep the arts alive at the Peace Café. Let us know if you can spare a little bit of your time and we will find a way to fit you in. There is no heavy lifting, lots of fun working and a great sense of accomplishment working with the Peace Café team.
Again, we need everyone to step up and help get the word out about the Peace Café. The artists that have played have all been exceptional and we are all blessed to have such a wonderful offering here at the First Congregational Church. Please try to tell 3 people this week about “a nice little place to enjoy music and fellowship on the 2nd Saturday of every month.”
Thanks and I look forward to seeing you next Saturday for Dan Bonis and Open Book.
December 2007 into 2008
Change can be good.
In December, we had an unusual opportunity. Two performers (artists), each very capable on their own, choosing to share the stage at the Peace Café. The question was how it would be shared. Each had their own style, their own sound. Each had their own topics and songs.
Lara Herscovitch and Jack Caldwell had met many years back when Jack had a television show interviewing artists about how they went about creating their art. Jump forward a few years (and all the changes in between) and the Peace Café asked them to come down and entertain our audience. Both loved the idea of sharing the stage once again but until they both got here, the planning was very individualistic.
So we tried something new – and it worked!!! Rather than a short Opening Act with a break followed by a longer Featured Set, we opted for each performer to play a solo set and then to play a combined set.
Individually, they were both fantastic. Lara singing in English and Spanish with songs that twisted and turned and often ended leaving you wondering if she would suddenly start up again after a pause. Her lyrics were thought provoking and laced with different views of the world around us. Jack, had a slightly quieter style with a mix of laughter, love and tears. His introductions were like appetizers and the songs left you both satisfied but wanting more.
Then came the challenge - how to pull two very different styles together. Lara and Jack decided that they would play one or two songs together but then started a “dueling artists” scenario where one would pick a song of their own to play and the other would respond with a “complimentary” song from their own repertoire. The result was a wonderful mix of songs and musical styles that had everyone enjoying the “competition” and the fun.
Although this may not work in every situation, it sure worked for Lara and Jack… and for those who attended it was a special treat. We will be looking for another chance to try this in 2008.
Speaking of 2008, the New Year has arrived and the January 12th Peace Café will be a wonderful recreation of a great 2007 show. Last year, Lisa Martin was kind enough to step in when another artist was suddenly unavailable. Lisa presented her emotionally charged acoustic folk rock to the pleasure of everyone and she is expected to bring it on again with some new songs and stories. Lisa’s lyrics makes you think, and at times to dream, as she shares her heart and music. If you missed Lisa Martin last year, you have a chance to redeem yourself on January 12th. The Church will offer a Pot Luck Supper before the coffeehouse, so please bring a dish to share and join us for dinner.
January 2008 is Double Special at the Peace Café. In addition to our normal coffeehouse on the 12th, we have been lucky enough to get Red Molly to come in for a Special Concert. These 3 ladies have developed a following throughout the northeast with rave reviews at every show.
“Everything Red Molly sings is delivered with tick-tight arrangements, crystalline vocals, and caramel harmonies. But what is most striking is the ardor they bring to everything they do, whether snuggling into the sweet parochialism of an old spiritual, or the gritty pathos of a Gillian Welch tune. They come on less like stars strutting for their minions than pals sharing their favorite songs. In the friendly world of the coffeehouse, that remains a star-making quality.”
–Scott Alarik, The
Red Molly is a female trio combining the talents of Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello. Weaving their voices in harmony over a myriad of strings (guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro), Red Molly’s repertoire includes carefully-selected material, ranging from Appalachian ballads to 20th-century pop/country standards and contemporary folk. Resting on the belief that great songs shine with minimal handling, Red Molly digs down to the root of a song with simple, uncluttered arrangements, leaving plenty of room for three voices to carry it skyward.
Please let everyone know about Red Molly and don’t miss your chance to see them at the Peace Café. THEY ARE FANTASTIC! Tickets are $15 for this Special Concert and well worth every penny. Email peacecafe@firstchurchsouthington.org or call Dan Gabree at 860.621.8898 for tickets.
Now, the Peace Café needs some help. Change happens. Challenging? Perhaps, but often what comes out of the cocoon is beautiful. But we need some help as we evolve. Jenn Selmi, who has done such a great job managing our advertising/marketing effort, is moving on. We need someone to fill in and help manage this role. This is vital to our on-going success and we would really like to talk to anyone interested in helping out. No heavy lifting and lots of fun working with the Peace Café team.
Finally, we need everyone to step up and help get the word out about the Peace Café. The artists that have played have all been exceptional and we are all blessed to have such a wonderful offering here at the First Congregational Church. Please try to tell 3 people this week about “a nice little place to enjoy music and fellowship on the 2nd Saturday of every month.”
In February, the Peace Café will showcase Dan Bonis and BookEnds which is sure to be another great night.
Thanks and I look forward to seeing you next Saturday for Lisa Martin.
October / November 2007
Time flies…. And then the holidays are upon us.
I continue to find myself farther and farther behind with more and more to do. Yet every once in awhile I try to make sure that I step back and enjoy the little things that make life so beautiful… family, friends, the face of a child when they first learn something new, the sounds of music that are starting to be everywhere.
And speaking of music, I am reminded that the Peace Café started almost 1 year ago with the vision that it would be a place for people to relax and enjoy the creative beauty of those around us. To date we have had 20 artists (or groups thereof) on our stage and we have scheduled quite a few more going into 2008 (which is ominously near).
Looking back at the past 10 months, we have heard a variety of styles and sounds. Happy, sad, romantic, political, and some that were so very intertwined with life itself that you almost felt like you were there with the artist as he wrote the song on the stage.
Number 9 surprised everyone when a full 6 person rock band took the stage in our little coffeehouse and didn’t knock down the walls. The music was clear and everyone went wild.
Then we had Robert Messore using his intricate 12 string guitar to sing about baseball for the kids in the audience. Robert Webb and Bob Stanhope with their ballads. Eric Paradine who made everyone laugh with his love song for men, called the “DT Blues”. And of course, Guy-Michael Grande in his
But that is not all…. What about Meg Braun singing about “No More Happily Ever After” and Driving Reign who took Christian Music to a whole new level? Joel Blumert (with an on stage picture in the newspaper) and Robin O’Herin, guitars and vocals so unique and pure. And when one of our stars had a last minute cancellation, Lisa Martin stepped in with an amazing Featured Set. John Barber and JK Malm also stepped in at the last minute with great songs and the wonderful sounds of a mandolin.
Some of our recent shows have included Allison Tartalia who drove up from NYC with her keyboard and entertained us with some truly amazing music, including a song from the Off Broadway Show, “1918”, which she wrote the music for.
Meg Braun made a return performance to once again share the trials and tribulations of a young woman from
Then in November, Bobby Sweet came down from
And I haven’t even begun to look at the talented artists from the First Congregational Church that hosts this coffeehouse. Everyone at this church knows the amount of talent in the congregation so it is no surprise that several of our acts have included these artists. Mark Corcoran, Steve Nyren, and Joe Cipollini were joined by Steve McLean for a great show. Chip Hulten, Rich McCarty and Dee Elloian have all been up on the stage more than once, and the incredibly, beautiful voice of Lisa Cote, who was our Featured Artist in November.
Next up…. December is a special treat. Lara Herscovitch and Jack Caldwell have both been playing for several years and were happy for the chance to play together at the Peace Café. Lara is from NY and lives in CT. She narrowly escaped law school, and trained instead as a macro social worker. She has worked in the
Jack’s music is like a ride through
So, yes, after a thoughtful Thanksgiving and with Christmas just around the corner, I feel that there are indeed many blessings around me, and among them, the Peace Café shines brightly. I hope that more people start to realize that on one day every month they have the chance to enjoy something new, original and unique, a piece of living art that is enjoyed in the moment and then lives only in memories. The rules are very lax. You can come one month and not the next. The price is not very hard to manage and the quality of the entertainment is priceless. You owe it to yourself to come - at least once. Better yet, share this treat with a friend. Enjoy the beauty that God has empowered these artists to share with us all.
AS FALL BEGINS… IT STILL FEELS LIKE SUMMER
As we roll into October in CT, we find ourselves still wearing shorts and complaining about the heat. Well, weather in
In September. unfortunately, our featured performer had a serious health setback. Thankfully, Bizzy Bendor is recovering and we hope to have her rescheduled for a future coffeehouse. She is a special person with a special gift and we are sure the Lord is watching and planning her return to the stage to continue her musical ministry.
The Peace Café also must be under his careful eye, because miracles do happen here in
John Barber, one half of the original “BookEnds”, came with his wit and guitar, and was joined by John Karl (JK) Malm on his mandolin for a rousing set of music that had everyone tapping their feet. Playing a series of songs, old and new, John and JK pleased everyone with a virtual excursion through music history. Starting with “Easy Chair” they set a relaxed mood, and they continued with a few instrumentals that allowed JK to make the mandolin shine. John then sang a song written for his wife called “Angels Among Us”. They then went back in time, first with the old fiddle tune, “Red Wing” and then, suggesting that everyone think of a Civil War soldier with his rifle on his shoulder as he walked home again, they sang a song called “
John and JK played some
Emotionally charged acoustic folk rock is how Lisa Martin is described. An apt description to be sure. She shared her own stories and music with us all and warmed many hearts in the audience. Starting with a song about her mother, “Without You”, Lisa show that we had to be ready for both the words and the music, her voice and the guitar. She told of a 20 Years Ago Today competition where contestants had to write Beatles style songs. Creating something that was in a Beatles style without being a “Beatles song” proved harder than expected, but when she played the result “Set Me on Fire”, everyone approved.
She shared songs about breaking up, “This Way”, and her first “positive” love song. “Anything”, and then suggested that we needed to be careful when we judged people based on superficial appearances, “Good Love is Hard to Find”. JK came back on the stage to join Lisa on this song with his mandolin. Lisa encouraged the audience to sing along with some fun tunes like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone”, played a great rendition of SuperWoman and played a few songs by other artists, “Northern Girl”, “Greed” and “These Eyes”.
The message here for everyone is that Lisa was great and we are blessed to have her coming back in just a few months for another great evening of music. Mark your calendars now for January 12th.
This month (yes, it really is October already), we have a newcomer and a person who has already been on stage at the Peace Café. Allison Tartalia will be joining us for the first time. Her powerful and expressive performances are said to have a way of charming audiences. The secret weapons: fearless honesty, a quirky sense of humor and an extraordinary flair for songwriting. People have taken notice at festivals and venues around the country, and it is not unusual to see devoted fans singing along to her anthems of independence like Dorothy’s Reply and Absolutely Fabulous. Allison is able to keep listeners enthralled whether she’s taking things slow on a painfully honest ballad, turning up the funk, or just sharing a funny tale from her life between songs. A classically trained pianist and self-taught guitar player with a degree in theatre, Allison draws upon diverse influences to create her eclectic brand of jazz-infused acoustic pop.
Returning in October will also be Meg Braun. Meg was here back in July to open for Driving Reign and showed us that she has much to share. Using multiple guitars (and lots of tuning to fight the heat), she shared her stories and laughter with us all. Meg, who moved to
All in all, October should be a great coffeehouse at the Peace Café. Things continue to happen and we encourage you to come and bring friends and family to be part of our success. With each show we learn more about what we can do and we are now starting to plan for a new year of events and talent at the Peace Café in 2008. There are sure to be many new things in the months to come, including Pot Luck Suppers and Open Mic Nights. Got any ideas? Let us know.
August 2007
AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN AND THE KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL….
Sorry this is so late… The next Peace Cafe coffeehouse is TOMORROW (Sept 8th) and there have been some last minute changes.
First of all, the August coffeehouse was another success with Joel Blumert and Robin O’Herin providing the entertainment. Between the wonderful instrumental skills and the beautiful voices, the evening was great. Additionally, we had a surprise visit by the local newspaper. The Record Journal stopped by and blessed us with a great article, complete with photos of Joel on-stage. We always appreciate the publicity and this article was great.
Unfortunately, our featured performer for this month’s coffeehouse has had a health setback. The good news is that the Lord has protected her and she is recovering. However, her voice seems to be the last thing to get better and she will not be able to grace us with her talents.
There is, none the less, a Silver Lining to this cloud. Lisa Martin has agreed to be our Featured Artist this month (and once again in January). The feedback and reviews on Lisa are outstanding and this may be the best show all year. But this cloud had a double Silver Lining. Along with Lisa, we are pleased to announce that John Barber and JK Malm (with perhaps one more surprise) will be opening. They used to play as a band called BookEnds and are in the process of evolving into a new incarnation of that sound.
Emotionally charged acoustic folk rock is Lisa Martin’s hallmark sound. Drawing on diverse influences spanning the last three decades, Martin’s music bridges the elements of folk and rock, with her pop sensibilities always highly evident in the mix. She is always well received and captivates the audience with her powerful vocals, guitar prowess, heartfelt delivery and quick wit. Her live performances, which run the gamut from heartfelt songs of love and loss to her rollicking takes on life’s lessons, are steadily earning her a following of passionately loyal fans throughout the northeast.
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Her debut CD, “Set Me On Fire”, garnered 2 nominations in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards in 2001 and was also recognized in 2003, earning a Live Wire Award from the Springfield Republican, which recognized 10 local artists/bands for that year. Positive reviews from fans and critics continue to trickle in as Martin’s exposure grows. The CD features some outstanding players including Duke Levine (Mary Chapin-Carpenter) on electric guitars, Richard Gates (Paula Cole) on bass, Lorne Entress (Mark Erelli Band) on drums and Leah Kunkel on backing vocals, is the perfect vehicle for Martin’s passion filled originals.
Paul Loether and John Barber were “BookEnds”, a roving duo performing throughout Connecticut’s coffeehouse circuit. The duo recorded 2 CDs and entertained large and small audiences all over
All in all, September should be a great coffeehouse at the Peace Cafe. Despite the foibles, misfortunes and trials we all must occasionally face, things have a way of working out. It sometimes seems as if someone is watching over us all, and maybe challenging us to occasionally reach outside our normal little box.