There's a new venue for
local music at the Java Hut in Sunderland. Owners Sean and
Darren Pierce, along with creating a "Friend-like" coffee cafe, also
have strong feelings about supporting local musicians and artists.
Besides coffees such as a mochaccino or a latte, you can order up
pastries, bagels and sandwiches. The atmosphere is intimate,
warm, and clean, and there are magazines and newspapers to read and
relax with while you dip your double-chocolate stirrer in your
cappuccino.
They offer a discount card - buy 10 cups of coffee or specialty
drinks, get one free. At the end of each month, if you turn in
your used card with your name on it, you can be selected in a drawing
for 10 free coffees. A portion of Java Hut's profits goes to
organizations working to save endangered species.
The Pierce brothers hope to bring the community in through a
variety of means such as open mike nights, performances by local
musicians, presentation of artwork, and a classis movie night one
their big-screen television.
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Saturday, March 20, will feature a funk/R&B band called "Funky
Stump," The three-member band - Mark Winhold on bass, Max Tauber
playing electric guitar, and Jim Haitt - having been together since
1986.
Their unique claim to fame happened early
in their career. While residents at the Desisto School in
Stockbridge in 1987, the group (then called "Misguided Youth") was the
very first American band to ever appear in China. Up to the year
prior to their visit, guitars were considered illegal in China.
Upon their return they were interviewed by Jane Pauley of the "Today"
show in regard to the groups significant foray.
Funky Stump's present play list includes songs such as "Use Me" by
Bill Withers, G. Loves' "Basketball," and "The Thrill is Gone."
But the thrill is not gone for this young energetic group, whose
length of connection to each other is apparent in their ability to
compliment one another musically. One can't help but feel the
underlying current of fun beneath the execution of classic funk.
Their music is alive, vibrant and danceable.
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Cris Carl
Sounds Local |
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For more information on the group, you can call Mark Winhold at
367-2741.
If you find yourself in an entirely different mood on Friday, April 3,
or Saturday, May 16, a group called Orcus may be your cup of tea (or
coffee as the case may be). This moody, dark jazz ensemble
generates a sound that brings old film noir to mind. Playing the
music of the underworlds of our world, Orcus, Latin for "Hades,"
produces all original instrumentals. Their music carries string,
cleverly textured rhythms that inspire and emotional sense of
jadedness tinged with a kind of sadness. I believe I could best
characterize their sound as Gothic jazz.
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The band members who will be
appearing at the Java Hut are founder Doug LaRosa on alto trombone,
who is also responsible for the lion's share of the group's material.
Also included are co-founder Adam Scott on trumpet, Joe Green on
keyboards, two bass players, Chris Kozack and Alec Darrien, and
drummer George Arsenault.
The ensemble has a variety of people who perform with them and all
members contribute e to the musical material to varying degrees.
The group formed two years ago while they were graduate students at
the University of Massachusetts. Orcus has recently reincarnated
and its appearance at the Java Hut will be a kickoff performance for
the group.
For more information, call Doug LaRosa at 533-5489.
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The Java Hut also supports
the work of local visual artist. They have a "chalk artist of
the month," whose work is portrayed in chalk on a large slate portion
of a wall. At the end of the month the artist is photographed
with their work and the subsequent photo is placed in a portfolio kept
at the cafe.
There is also an ingeniously created wall space for other types of
visual art. Local illustrator Michael Aldrich will be presented
in April.
The Java Hut is not just a coffee shop to grab a cup and go; it is
a rest stop to feed your senses. What better place to enjoy some
of our many fine local musician. I encourage you to open your
mind to the talent we have right here.
The Java Hut is at the Squire Village Plaza on Route 116. For
other information, call 665-2255.
Cris Carl of Greenfield is a
musician and writer. |
