Speakeasy
Caffeine Madness
by The Vickster
Art! Psych! Original music! Really, really BIG lattes!!! Is it any wonder the local coffeehouse scene is spawning, brewing, EXPLODING into the collective consciousness (read w/ Jung, man) of the hip, the hot, the truly enlightened and the rest of us!
March finds us wringing out the last of intensive but oh-so-necessary cathartic experience and trudging dutifully through the ever-shortening distances between coffeehousities. There are so many opening these days. It must be heaven; but they’re set to become the Thai restaurants of the ’90s (you’ll find two or three situated smack in the strip mall, next to the nail shop, tanning salon, video outlet, Yogurt Squish, etc., etc., but I digress). Suggestion: stick with the ones that have been around for a while, the places where the best entertainment values to come along in a long time are to be found. That kept in mind, let us present to you what will be a regular feature in this column (drums roll please):
VIC’S PICKS
No, no, no, this isn’t gonna help you out at Hollywood Park or Santa Anita, but it will guide you to the best entertainment at the local coffeehouses. Here’s the way it works: we’ll make a weekly recommendation for one really boffe, can’t-miss performance. Here are Vic’s Picks for the month of March:
Who: Dirty & Garlic
What: Highly eclectic folk/rock from two talented singer-songwriters. Everybody’s a hyphenate these days. Definitely different.
Where: Eagles Coffee Pub, 5231 Lankershim Bl., NoHo, 818-760-4172
When: Friday the 5th, 8:30 p.m.
Who: The Markies & Earl Grey
What: You’ve never seen a good turn-up on stage quite like Earl. This sharp gent appears nightly at coffeehouse gigs and proves he’s equally at home at the open mike at Eagles.
Where: Eagles Coffee Pub (see above)
When: Friday the 19th, 8:30 p.m.
What: Psychic Faire — several different psychic readers, Runa-Veda (a band), plus tarot readings, food and crafts on sale. Great family fun.
Where: Iguana Cafe, 10943 Camarillo St., NoHo, 818-763-7735
When: Saturday the 13th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Who: Duke McDaniel & His Orchestra
Where: Iguana Cafe (see above)
When: Friday the 28th
Who: Matthew Niblock & Friends, Dan Bern, Tom Winslow
What: Matthew Niblock returns for a second time, to be followed by the phenomenal Dan Bern, accompanied by the equally talented guitarist Tom Winslow. All this for a lousy $3–5 cover.
Where: Iguana Cafe (see above)
When: Saturday the 20th, 8:30 p.m.
Well, kiddies, that’s all for this month. Keep that caffeine high, and see ya next time!
Next month: IT CAME FROM BURBANK: The Golden Mall Gets “Zeroes”!!