DCCA News: Don’t miss upcoming shows

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By the time you read this, those who saw Kristine Jackson’s performance at The Bistro Off Broadway will be savoring the memory of another outstanding show at an exceptionally economical cost.

Darke County Center for the Arts’ Coffeehouse Series presents high quality artists performing in a comfortable social setting where food and drink are available for purchase; the appealing, accessible series is now more than half over for this season. If you missed the soulful talents of Cleveland-based Kristine Jackson and/or earlier Coffeehouse presentations, you still have two opportunities to partake of this down-home uptown concert series.

To recap, this season’s Coffeehouse Series opened on Sept. 17 at Union City’s Arts Depot, where balladeer Lee Murdock’s music and stories of the Great Lakes enchanted his audience. Next, rising stars Adelee and Gentry, a talented and sunny sister duo from West Alexandria, sang and played at The Bistro on Oct. 22, to the delight of a sold-out audience. Following feisty singer/songwriter/guitarist Kristine Jackson on Feb. 25 will be gentle singer/songwriter/guitarist Sarah Goslee Reed performing at Arcanum Historical Society’s Wayne Trail House on March 31; talented Cincinnati-based acoustic duo Noah and Alex will sing and play at Montage Cafe on April 21.

Do not miss the upcoming Coffeehouse shows—that is, if you can get a ticket. The casual series has become increasingly popular with each season, and sell-outs have become the norm as positive word-of-mouth publicity spreads from person to person throughout the area. If you are wondering about the cause of this spreading popularity, following are a few possibilities, as well as reasons that you should join the crowd.

First and foremost is the quality of the artists DCCA presents. Some are young and just starting out in pursuit of their dream, others have spent years making their living doing what they were born to do, but you can depend upon seeing excellent performers. The unique charm and warmth of the local venues which welcome these performances enhance the talents on display.

The Arts Depot and The Bistro Off Broadway provide completely different settings, each in its own way offering the perfect ambience. The Arts Depot staff and volunteers provide finger food and drinks and an atmosphere that encourages friendly conversation; performances at the old depot are sometimes accompanied by the rumble of a passing train, a happenstance to which performers and audiences react with delight. The Bistro’s professional staff works hard to graciously meet the culinary demands of customers without distracting from the artistic action on-stage; the comfortable setting provides hospitable surroundings for enjoying a performance as well as a congenial evening out with friends and neighbors.

Since DCCA constantly seeks to reach out to the wider community, organization officials were thrilled when the Arcanum Historical Society asked DCCA to bring performances to their headquarters at Wayne Trail House. And thus far, the partnership has been of delightful mutual benefit; Historical Society members go all out to prepare luscious food and enticing drinks, often themed to the presentation, and the artists appreciate working in the cordial intimate atmosphere provided. Folksinger Sarah Goslee Reed will fit perfectly into this setting on March 31, where a warm and wonderful evening is highly likely to ensue.

Montage Cafe has partnered with DCCA for many events over the years, and those cooperative ventures have provided multiple memorable moments for those in attendance. This success is due in great part to the expertise the venue brings to providing hospitality, which inspires artists and energizes their audiences. When gifted musicians Noah Cope and Alex Poteet perform their blues, soul, and rhythm-and-blues sets on April 21, another evening to remember will probably occur, with delicious food and enticing drink adding to the festive feel.

Last, but not least, Coffeehouse concerts are a real bargain; tickets are just $10! When you attend a Coffeehouse show, you might be impressed, you may be inspired, you definitely will be entertained, and you undoubtedly will have a really good time. To get your tickets now before they are all gone, contact DCCA at 547-0908 or visit their website at www.centerforarts.net.

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By Marilyn Delk

Marilyn Delk is a director of the Darke County Center for the Arts and can be reached at [email protected]. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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