Ten years of songs, poems and good times: Beatnik celebrates No. 500 (New Haven Register)
For something that got canceled after one night, Beatnik 2000 has done pretty well for itself. The modified-open-mic event that happens every Monday night at Cafe Nine will host its 500th show Saturday. Creator Edward Leonard would have never thought that possible back in 1999. “It started as a monthly thing, but nobody showed up for that first show,” recalls Leonard. “So (former Cafe Nine owner) Mike (Reichbart) canceled it. We were going to do the second show though. And that one had a really good turnout. Mike said let’s keep doing it, and people kept coming and, at some point, we made it every week. I’m just floored it’s been so popular.” As folks who inhabit the New Haven music scene may know, Saturday night’s Beatnik was scheduled to be the series’ finale. Leonard decided last year, around the time of the 450th episode, to put an end to the event at 500. “It seemed like it made sense,” explains Leonard. “It makes 10 years. And there was the nine thing: 1999 to 2009, Cafe Nine. It seemed like the right thing.” Luckily for the many, many people who make a Beatnik a weekly destination or the dozens upon dozens upon dozens of local musicians who have got their start at the series, Leonard changed his mind a couple weeks ago and decided to keep it going. - complete article
No comments:
Post a Comment