High Street Station Brings Live Music to Alameda

In a cozy love seat in the corner of High Street Station cafe, with a clear view of the band, Coimbre, Alamedans Jeff Cambra and Elizabeth Page enjoyed salsa rhythms last Saturday night while young children danced and, later in the night, a pair of couples swung their hips.

"The show rocks," said Page, sipping an Italian soda.

High Street Station co-owners Susan Timney and Lynda Kretlow opened the doors of the cafe-come-live-music venue, at the corner of High Street and Encinal Avenue, in December 2009. In a few short months, in addition to the muffins and coffee and free wireless that make it a good daily gathering place, they've created a festive, cheerful—and rockin' live music venue. 

Since February, when members of the '50s band Hot Rod Jukebox approached Timney about performing at the cafe, High Street Station has been growing their musical roster—and Alamedans can now look for live bands Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

"We're booked through October," said Alameda drummer and now High Street Station booker Rob Wilson. Wilson is hoping to turn Tuesdays into a stand up comedy night, and on Thursdays there are already some open mic nights on the schedule. 

For Timney and Kretlow, who have owned the landmark building, the former home of the 19th Hole since 1999, the cafe is an adventure they're ready to embrace.

"We've been wanting to do something like this for years," said Timney, who says they hope to keep the business running a long time, but doesn't expect to get rich doing it. "Nobody quit their day job," she said. 

With a sliding scale optional cover charge and an affordable buffet on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons ($9.95 for adults, $5 dollars for children 10 and under) Timney and Kretlow want the establishment to be an accessible community gathering place — festive, friendly, open.

"It's like being in someone's giant living room," says Kretlow. "And you have a band."