Local Brew Coffeehouse Packed Community Center

The Local Brew Coffeehouse last Saturday, May 21, at the Bay Spring Community Center (BSCC) was a huge success.  More than one hundred people came out to watch some 25 performers take the stage over the course of the night.  The evening saw singer songwriters, storytellers, Irish step dancers, a jazz/blues ensemble, and an eclectic folk band.  Plus, at 6:30 a group of eight kids told stories they’d been working on in the Story Cafe storytelling class (hosted at the BSCC).  

Key producers of the show  included myself, John Wood, Gary Deslaurier, and Sydney Montstream Quas (though many many other volunteers helped out).  We four are also in the band Bay Spring Folk.  The four of us came together at noon on Monday to talk about the event.  Mike Quas, main fan and roadie, was with us, too.

Larson: Seemed like folks had a good time at the show the other night.  The audience, performers, volunteers - everyone seemed so enthusiastic about it all.  The coffee was great (thanks to Coffee Exchange for that!).  I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like the space created between all of the performers and audience was almost magical.  I’d be really interested to hear what each of you guys thought about the night.  For each of you, what was something that really stood out in making the show a success?

Gary Deslaurier:  I loved the ensemble at the end, where every musician who was still around was invited back onto stage to sing an unrehearsed version of the traditional folk tune “I’ll Fly Away.”  After listening to each other perform, it was so great to all get on stage together.  The audience loved it too - they sang along and felt part of the evening.  I heard many people singing the song as they were leaving the center.  

John Wood:  I really liked how some of the musicians were returning to the stage after several months away.  Louise Herman and David Kahn, as well as Mark Whittaker, had played there on our very first performance a year and a half ago.  It was so fun to have them back.  Plus it was fun to call up musicians from the audience to to come join us on songs - like when Don Morton came up and joined us on “Jerusalem Ridge.”  And, of course, for me it was really gratifying to see my son Parker play his original music.  One of my favorite things in the world is when he joins us onstage.

We are developing a community of local performers.  

Sydney Montstream Quas:  Yes I totally agree with that notion of the community of performers.  I was struck by the array of such talented local folks.  That there are so many quality and generous performers locally really blows me away.

Also, I have to say, it was so much fun to watch my daughter Adeline do her Irish step dancing routine with her amazing teacher Erica Napolitano.  I guess Pete Gray (BSCC Board Chair) is trying to get Erica to teach a class at the BSCC.  Classes might be held for grownups as well as for kids.  That would be awesome.  That dance performance really rocked.

Gary Deslaurier:  Another thing I liked was seeing all of the neighbors and friends come together out there. People would chit chat in the back or sit and watch the show.  They looked like they were having so much fun together.  There were many people who’ve been to most if not all of our shows.  And there were many folks who’d never been before, all saying they can’t wait for the next show.  It was a multigenerational audience.

John Wood:  Yeah, and it was cool to see Charlie Cole there.  He was the main guy twenty years ago when the town wanted to tear the place down.  If it wasn’t for him, there’d be no BSCC at all.  We owe him a debt of gratitude and it was nice to give him a round of applause.  I hope he keeps coming to the shows, because he represents the legacy we all are benefitting from.

Sydney Montstream Quas:  Well, that’s true.  We are revitalizing a 100-year-old building.    The chance to revitalize a historic property is a real gift. 

Larson:  Mike, got any thoughts from the perspective of an audience member?

 Mike Quas:  I’d have to say that the arrangement of the different acts was really good.  The mix of performers made it so that the energy was always changing because there was always something new with each performer.  We’d hear a singer songwriter, then see dancing, then hear a storyteller, then a band.  That worked great.