I've never had an interest in going in there. It seems all I ever see are those liberal looking democrat types going in. You know the kind, wannabe grunge, incense burning wannabe tree hugging hippies, wannabe hip and cool with dreadlocks, hemp this and that, baggy pants... you know the type. Well, I think I was right about all that but was I pleasantly suprised too. (Note to all you overly sensitive liberals out there, I'm just kidding. It's tongue-in-cheek. Relax.)
I walked in and found Lakewood's most famous professional musician playing his banjo, guitars, and other instruments along with some of his buddies. It was of course Gary Rice. Probably one of the nicest, kind and generous people around.
Gary said "hey, your type aren't wanted here". No, actually Gary told me to grab a seat because it's going to get crowded. He was right. It got pretty crowded and seats were filled. I guess you'd say it was standing room only. I guess the word got out I was there? I don't know. It happens a lot to me.
Turns out they show up there almost every Monday night around 7:30 and just play till about 10:00. They played all kinds of music from Dylan, Niel Young, folk, Irish folk (I think), all kinds. They go in a circle. Each person pick/plays a song and the rest join in.
The music and singing was good and it was fun. In fact it was very good. The whole crowd would join in from time to time singing. I recommend dropping by and listening to them. The coffee is good to.
I've wondered what it must have been like in 1961 when a skinny little 20 year old Robert Zimmerman walked into Gerde's Coffee Shop in New York City and started playing his folk music. I suspect it was a lot like the Phoenix Coffee shop. Thankfully though, all the smokers and smoke are outside. I've seen pictures and video and it did look very similar to Phoenix I guess.
I had my D200 with me and snapped a few shots. Didn't have the right lens or anything with me, but these give you an idea what it was like there if you've never been in there.
Anyway, thanks Gary for the entertainment. Thanks too to Tom, Jack, and the other guys who's names I don't remember. Maybe I'll stop in next week. If I do I'll bring a faster lens and so on... maybe not though. Maybe I'll just sit and listen.
