It's SERBC Time!

It's already time for the Southeast Regional Barista Competition! For those of you not familiar with barista competitions, let me just say that they are one of the few times in a year when a barista wears a shirt with buttons. In a nutshell, each competitor has fifteen minutes to make 12 drinks, all the while acting professionally passionate about the drinks he's serving. Like NASCAR there is always a wreck of some sort to look forward to and, of course, there can be only one winner.

Having said that, it's also a lot of fun.

This year we have potentially three people heading to competition this year. Alex Medina, who you might otherwise known by his gang name, The Swan and Caleb Sherer, know simply as Um. If they make it in and there is still room later for me, then I will also go.

Otherwise the roster is already looking respectable with competitors from Volta, Octane and a few others I won't name because I don't know for a fact they're competing. But I do know that the superhero Lem Butler is on the sign-up sheet and that makes this perhaps the best SERBC ever.

You should try to make it out if possible but even if you can't there should be a live webcast of it somewhere. We'll post details as soon as we know them. Either way, show Alex and Caleb some encouragement when you see them.

February 19th-21st in the King Plow Arts Center is where all the fun will be taking place. You can find out more information here.

 

The Hoedown is Back!

Art For January

Emily Clarke is coming to our walls in 2010 (is that 20-10 or two-thousand ten?) and the image above gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect. We're really looking forward to having some of her work on the walls in January.

There will be an opening reception on Friday the 8th from 6-9 PM. Everyone is invited and there will even be music.

We look forward to you guys coming out and supporting local artists.

New Year's Hours

Happy New Year, nearly!

I just wanted to let everyone know that both shops will be closing at 6 PM New Year's Eve. Also, hours will return to normal on January 1st and beyond.

Toast Music to the New Year!

Welcome in the New Year by coming to see Crazy Matt Kay perform some beautiful jazz this Friday evening at 7:30 PM. He's been performing every weekend now for the last month and is really bringing some great sound into our little space. He's definitely worth checking out if you haven't yet.

Then on Saturday, January 2nd come see Tim Keesee and Jacob Kuruvilla play some acoustic original songs (and a few choice acoustic covers). Also, Stephen Davis will open the evening with some of his own tunes. Things kick off at 7 PM.

Spend a cold winter evening enjoying some hot coffee and warm music.

Weekend Music

Stop by this Friday and hear some Christmas tunes played and sung by locals, Jason and Joanna Bursch. With piano and voice they will sing the standards and maybe some new favorites. The music will start at 7 PM. Come and go as you can - we'd love to see you.

Then on Saturday evening come by to hear jazz guitarist Mathew Kay and some instrumental work from one of the area's rising musicians. He starts around 7 PM and we look forward to seeing you.

New Art For December

Edith McBee Hardaway has gone up on the walls for the month of December. She describes her work as 'realistic abstract' and uses whatever is at hand to produce exciting textures and forms. You will find plastic wrap, tissues, sand, glass, oil paint, acrylics, charcoal and ink to get interesting results. Even ferns, leaves, tree bark, grass and other botanicals  have found their way into her work. "If it sticks it stays," she says.

Her work will be up from now until the end of December so come by and check it out.

Matt Kay International Man of Jazz

I just wanted to let everyone know about one of the performers we're excited to be hosting at the Forest Park shop through the holidays. Matthew Kay is a well rounded guitarist who has been working for years to find a unique sound, along the way discovering the joy of jazz and classical music. You might have seen him playing on the streets of Greenville or recognize him from his teaching work at Greenville Guitar Academy but Coffee & Crema will be his first headlining gig. We hope this will prove to be a great platform for introducing audiences to members of the local jazz community, the sounds of classic low-key jazz and, of course, original music built around the idea of improvisation. His influences and set list include John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Wes Montgomery, and Bach.

Starting the 27th you can catch him every Friday and Saturday night through the holidays, starting at 7 PM.

Thanksgiving Day Hours

Our hours for this Thanksgiving are:

For Forest Park:
Wednesday  7 AM - 9 PM
Thursday     Closed
Friday          7 AM - 9 PM (Jazz at 7 PM, don't forget!)

For The Mall:
Wednesday  10 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday     Closed
Friday          4 AM - 10 PM

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

The Jam Jammed!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am safely back from Charlotte and this weekend's Southeast Regional Jam. It took a tow truck but I'm back.

Seriously, a tow truck.

It was a great event and I wanted to congratulate all those people that sponsored and put it on. Especially Brady. you did a great job!

For anyone that wants to know more about what went down, educationally speaking, check out here. It should hopefully be updated with post-event details and maybe a picture or two.

And for the less formal latte art competition check out the Chemically Imbalanced blog. It was a great time, with fun and prizes for all. Speaking of which, Jason Dominy, I never got that raffle-DVD!

BTW: Thanks Greenville for twittering us into the #1 attraction in Greenville! You guys rock! But there are a bunch of other local establishments out there that need your support so go back to http://votegvl.com/viewAll.html and show them a little love too!

I'll talk to you soon!