The coffee house concert has been a staple of the folk music scene for ages. Now Denis Severino, a relative new-comer to Revelstoke is organizing one right here.
“It’s a big community event that’s affordable and with the idea of bringing the community together for a musical evening,” said Severino. “That’s what I’m trying to achieve at this event, is it for to be a social event where people can come enjoy themselves.”
Held under the auspices of the Revelstoke Folk Music Society, the first coffee house takes place on Jan. 22 at the United Church and Severino plans on making it a monthly event.
The goal, he said, is to have a musical evening outside the confines of a bar. “I’m really excited it’s at a church and not a bar so we can bring out younger and older people,” he said.”
Severino hosted a similar event in Toronto but that one was by invitation only amongst a large circle of musicians. In Revelstoke, anyone is welcome to play and Severino is encouraging budding musicians and those who haven’t played in front of others before to come out.
For the first coffee house, local country songstresses Sister Girl will be the featured act, while anyone else that wants to play can sign up to perform three songs.
The night is open to any style of music but is geared for acoustic music, said Severino.
“It’s a little more geared to all ages. The idea is that it’s very participatory,” he said. “In my experience you create that environment a lot more easily if things are pared down and it’s acoustic.”
Severino is no stranger to music. In addition to his musical history in Toronto, he also teaches guitar and plays in new Revelstoke band Pteradactyl and the Exctinctions.
The event begins at 7 p.m. with sign-up for musicians that want to take part. At 7:30 p.m. the doors will be open to the public and the music will begin.
“Hopefully there will be enough interest from people that want to play so that there will be a nice long list of sign ups,” he said.
Revelstoke Coffee House takes place on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the basement of the United Church. Cover is $3.