NOTE: This article was originally published on the DAMES of Pa website.
The King Street Coffee House is celebrating its 16th anniversary this month, and to commemorate this accomplishment they are offering music every Friday night. I can’t think of a better way to chase your winter blues away than a Friday night out with dinner and music. The coffeehouse has a new location this year at The Townside Garden Café 2 located at 253 Front Street, Northumberland, PA. Their doors open at 5:30pm and you can purchase dinner from The Townside Garden Café for a mere $11. The music goes from 7-10 pm.
I asked Ed Rhoades a few years ago why he enjoys playing here each season and he stated;
Because it’s a listening audience, the kind of place where original and obscure favorites are welcomed by the audiences, unlike most bars and clubs where the performers provide background music. There is a genuine camaraderie among the performers and a contagious enthusiasm and appreciation of the music.”
I have formed friendships with musicians I’ve met there. We have helped each other at other gigs and with recording projects. Having numerous favorites that have performed at the coffee house, he feels that the anniversary show with Frank Wicher, Nate Myers and Tom Rosencrans is one of the best of the year. His thought on why the coffee house has had continued success over the years is because it’s such a favorite place to play, they get great acts and it’s an honor to play there. It has a built in audience who has to come to expect quality entertainment.
Other performers that have graced the stage over the years have been: V.E. Paul from Dallas, PA, the bold young musician who took the 2008 Billtown Blues Challenge,/em> by storm and won the Solo/Duo Category and opportunity to attend the Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN
Ann Kerstetter, Forbidden Fruit, Gift-Troutman-Gift, Kimbo, Don Mease, Flint Zeigler, Rich Ahern, Don Shapelle, Lester Hirsh, Antares Barr, Hugh Ross, The Midlife Cowboys, and one of my all time favorites Doug McMinn. Listening to Doug perform is like sipping on good brandy. It goes down real smooth and warms you up inside. The coffeehouse has made some location changes over the past 16 years, but the one constant in this endeavor that never changes has been the tireless efforts of the volunteers and organizers who put this all together. The recipe for the success of this venue is in the planning. It starts months before the coffeehouse season ever begins. The dedication of Paul and Barb Shaffer, Al and Jean Lumpkin, Bruce Barr (operating the sound board) are just a few of the key ingredients. Add in the people who have donated their time helping to plan the seasons’ list of performers, the people who set up and tear down for the night, the wonderful folks at The Townside Garden Café who graciously host this event and you the music enthusiast who continually comes back year after year to support live local music in the central Susquehanna Valley.
January 7, 2011 will kick on the merriment with:
Ed and Kim Rhoads
Kim and Ed Rhoades are a husband/wife musical duo. They perform original and cover songs. Their style is eclectic, with satisfying helpings of blues, pop, and folk, seasoned with some jazz and country influences. In the past it was Ed who was the one in the spotlight, but over the past several years Kim has taken that place. Her soft yet vivacious voice has been described as, soulful, and expressive. For the King Street Coffeehouse show, they will be joined by the talented young Michi Egger.
Lux Bridge
Kathryn Brosky -fiddle, violin, viola and Carl Kirby – guitar &percussion
If you enjoy toe-tapping, foot stomping, high energy Celtic music, Lux Bridge is the acoustic band for you! Lux Bridge’s infectious sound and spirit are sure to bring out the Irish in anyone!
Kevin Neidig with Henry Koretsky
Two fine musician who entertain their audiences with original folk music.
On January 14, 2011 the lineup is as follows:
Steve Quelet
Steve is a singer songwriter whose songs are gaining airplay and recognition in the American and Blues communities
Buc Hill Aces
A Folk and Bluegrass Band
Johnny Blair
Known for his innovative brand of “pop music with a twist”
The Anniversary show on January 21, 2011
Key of V
The lovely LaCerra sisters, Val and Erin make their second appearance at the coffee house. Featuring Val LaCerra on guitar and lead vocals and Erin LaCerra on viola, vocals, percussion and tin whistle. The up and coming duo draw some of their influence from Rasputina, Kate Nash, Nuetral Milk Hotel, Joanna Newsom; Kimya Dawson to name a few.
Fans enjoy the sibling ingenuous in Key of V’s close harmonies, and the poignant yet frank (and sometimes mildly inappropriate) content in Val LaCerra’s lyrics, which are, like the stage presence, as open and honest as a private journal entry. They have a new album they are releasing this month balled Things We Drew From the Treacle Well, which is packed full of digitally mastered home and live recordings, consistent with Key of V’s DIY, lo-fi approach. It is their first professionally-printed CD and contains several of their live favorites plus a few new before heard songs containing piano, electric guitar, and spoken word.
Tom and Nate
Where ever you have Tom Rosencrans and Nate Myers playing you can find a highly entertained crowd. Their on the front porch style of performing makes you sit back and relax.
Frank Wicher
The sometimes slightly cheeky but always engaging Mr. Wicher will be performing original and country music.
The show on Jan 28, 2011 will feature:
Alf-AJ Bashore
The area’s master on the Dulcimer will not only entertain you with his music, but also his anecdotes.
Tom and Jina Rosencrans
Old time folk, blues and country. Jina’s style and voice will take you back to a time when family’s still spent time together and singing was one of the family’s favorite pastimes.
Gypsy Lizards
Paul Farnham and Steve Catania. Paul and Steve will entertain you with a smattering of everything.
So mark this on your calendar and plan to attend!
~