To sum up the past few months....
Garry and Eric hosted a Café DaPoPo party mid-December before everyone scattered to their various points of origin for the holidays. This was the first mass gathering for us outside rehearsal, performance or Freemans.
I left early, but I hear there was a late-night/early a.m. Biomechanics -Meyerhold dowel-tossing session in the park.
We had put Café DaPoPo on a planned Christmas hiatus, with the intention to start up again in January. However, we knew that Mollyz Diner, our loyal venue, was to be moving "somewhere toward the end of January."
Would we also take the time off and let our performers prepare new material? Or would we try to find another venue.... wait! Paul Graham at Ouro Preto café on University Avenue approached us about having the Café there while Mollyz was unavailable.
Ok, so new question: do we do the Café in a new venue?
There were several other questions associated with both of these options. Garry, in his great wisdom, suggested that we take it to our Café DaPoPovians for debate and decision. After all, one of the "Po's" in "DaPoPo" is popular... you know, of the people.So, on January 22nd, the Café folk were amassed at Freeman's for debate and decision. Oh, Freeman's. We can squish 12 people around one of their long tables. We had 12 people and we were missing a couple of folks. Freeman's hear this: DaPoPo needs a bigger table!
As with the best debates, there were differences of opinion, with some on the side of going for it, others on the side against and still others pointing out the issues or problems with one side or the other. What was clear was that everyone is still invested in this idea and certainly energetic about keeping it going. Yay for us!
Ultimately, the group decided that yes, we would go ahead (with Mollyz' blessing) to have the Café on our regularly scheduled night - in just two weeks, mind you - at Ouro Preto. But it was also decided that we wanted to do it in a way that let us try out the new venue, since it is very different from Mollyz and get some feedback from our regulars and friends.
AND SO.... drum roll please... we're having a party for the first anniversary of the Café. No prices on the menu. Donations always welcome, of course. Performances from the past year and all the performers who have ever done a Café and are available 
on the roster. Old material, some new stuff. Checking out the acoustics and the layout. Sharing our theatrical treats and having guests share too, if they want.
on the roster. Old material, some new stuff. Checking out the acoustics and the layout. Sharing our theatrical treats and having guests share too, if they want.Today I applied for a liquor license. Probably one of the most bureaucratic things we've ever done, outside of grant applications. Of course, we're late but cross your fingers. If we get it, we'll have a cash bar for wine and beer and quite possibly a singing barmaid. If not, Paul will still offer Ouro Preto's awesome European coffees and teas and he's keeping the kitchen open til 9 pm. Yummy 
food - healthy sandwiches and soups with vegetarian options. And, he gives students a discount. Cool, hey?
food - healthy sandwiches and soups with vegetarian options. And, he gives students a discount. Cool, hey?Pass the word and if you're coming, let us know. That limited seating thing, right?
(all photos on this post are from our night of shenanigans, pre-Christmas)
