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Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

All ages hear music at 567 Cafe

The 567 Cafe, which is open on Tuesday and Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m., is an all-ages music venue where teens can witness local talent.

“I’ve played a lot of shows at a lot of different places, and nowhere else competes with the genuine love and respect for the artists, musicians and poets that come to 567 Cafe,” said Rutland High School junior Alec Stanley.

Many local bands come to the cafe to perform their songs and sell CDs and T-shirts. Tuesday nights, or “poetic peace” nights, are open mic, and people have the opportunity to share their poetry, paintings, songs and raps if they wish.

The cafe has a cozy vibe with little tables, dim lights and paintings by local artists on the wall. The cafe is owned by New City Church, which meets downtown at the Cox Capitol Theatre, just around the corner from 567 Cherry Street where the cafe is located.

“I think it’s good that they stay downtown. It works, man,” said Benjamin Coke, a junior at Mary Persons High School.

The church started the cafe with the intention of making a place where all types of people could come together and appreciate the art of music and poetry.

“We’re doing what we set out to do,” 567 Cafe manager Patrick McConnell said. “We aren’t looking to expand past that right now.”

The place is quite small, but people seem to like it that way.

“I really like the fact that it’s so small. There is almost no distance between you and the bands. It gives you a feeling of oneness with the music,” said Anna Mae Kersey, a junior at Stratford Academy who has been to the cafe many times.

Mary Persons High School junior Maggie Smith said it was a nice place to just sit.

“Its very comfortable in here,” she said.

Hayley Ricks is a junior in home school. Jayne McGaughey, a senior at Veritas Classical School, contributed to this story.