If you're visiting for the first time and you want a good sampler introduction of the Café experience, check out our video in the July 30, 2008 post: A Café Appetizer. Otherwise, read on...
I don't like blogging for Cafés I didn't attend. But I will give it a go because we are now almost at the next Café and... well, there is a hole in our blog wall!
The late September Café ended up being an all-girl cast with Bonnie Archibald-Awalt (hostess and poetry goddess) Joanna Caplan (café debut)Keelin Jack (DaPoPo/café veteran)Amy Reitsma (DaPoPo/café veteran)Ariel Sinclair-Chin (operatic diva - in a good way)Gina Thornhill (patron-turned-performer) Annie Valentina (café veteran)Lynette Whalstrom (ivory-tinkler).
This particular cast faced several of the challenges which have been dogging the Café recently: how to adapt the usual intimate performances to the larger bar space in Menz; how to get adequate rehearsal time together considering everyone's busy schedules; sourcing ideas, approaches and material to make it fresh and interesting for everyone; dealing with a high rate of cast turnover from month-to-month; and handling a growing ennui and burn-out.
Nonetheless, the performers showed up. Alas, our audience did not. With the exception of a large posse of Joanna's friends who dropped in and out through the evening to see her performing in a new way, our Café patrons just didn't come. Another challenge. When you do something on a monthly basis, it seems the tendency is for people to let the dates go by in anticipation of catching it some other time.
Well, folks, that time is now. We have had a serious rethink of the Café - has it run its course, can we continue to innovate and keep both performers and patrons enthusiastic, excited and eager? Or is it time to close the show, move on to something else?
Happily, we are regrouping and the October Café is just a week away, with a veteran cast a recapturing of oldies but goodies from the original menu, plus and lots of new items and a new energy. We just need our patrons. It is going to be fun!
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