In the autumn of 2009, the four year tenure of the G&F band at the Artisan Cafe coffee shop ended unexpectedly. The popular student haunt suddenly shuttered its doors leaving the puzzled band and patrons on the sidewalk. The musicians promptly trundled up a nearby alley to the back door of a recently opened brewpub that fronted on the main thoroughfare of our university town. We secured an audition, and the management was content with our music and song. We were consigned to a small alcove adjacent to the staircase that descended from the street level sidewalk down to the front door of the underground brewpub.
Despite the cramped quarters of the alcove, the acoustics were marvelous, and we gigged there on Sunday afternoons for several years. An accordian player (above center) who could sing Cajun songs in French joined us for a while. Youngsters would sit nearby to watch our percussionist “Mr. Bones” step from the alcove to juggle his tambourines during spirited hoedown tunes.
As the patronage of the brewpub increased, the management decided to build a stage for us overlooking the adjacent and spacious dining hall. There was some concern to the G&F bandleader that a stage facing this large seating area would impair the tonality of our acoustic instruments and the unamplified voices of our singers, but the structure`s wooden flooring enhanced the timbre of the guitars, banjos, fiddles, and vocalists. A hammer dulcimer proved to be a splendid addition to our group for several years.
As all our tips are donated to the local university Childrens Hospital, the management back then decided to have several quarterly Friday evening gigs in addition to our weekly Sunday afternoon performances. A surviving archival flyer (above) from that era announces a Friday night performance on the eve of Valentines Day. The rosy flyer announced that for every beer purchased, the management would generously donate a dollar to the local pediatric medical center.
The G&F band has been blessed with the gracious support of the brewpub ownership during our 17 year tenure at the family-friendly restaurant. We heartfully extend best wishes to all our faithful audiences and our grateful thanks to the generous brewpub owners.
From the BRC: All good wishes to our readers on Valentines Day.
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