Our News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL CAFÉ DEBUTS BAY AREA TALENT IN
ALL NEW “CAFFEINATED CABARET”

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Kevin A. Madden

May 13, 2008
San Francisco, CA

Michael Fedor, the owner of Lower Russian Hill’s It’s a Grind Coffee House, announced that the date is set for the debut performance of the “Caffeinated Cabaret.™” Slated for June 3, the regular event is designed as dedicated amateurs, as well as seasoned professionals, to strut their stuff before an attentive audience. From 7:00 – 9:30 pm, the event will be held every two weeks, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Fedor, a twenty-three year resident of San Francisco, is excited about this latest venture in community participation: his café is already the neighborhood’s designated monthly meeting site for residents and business owners to meet with local political representatives and the city’s Police Department. Fedor also lets the city store equipment and supplies at the café for the anti-graffiti program. “Most of what business owners do is never seen, so its nice to be able to something that’s more visible and really just for fun. It’s also a way of marking our 18th month in business with something special.”

Fedor has looked to local entertainer Kevin Madden, who besides helping with the production of the event, secured the cooperation of his business partner, magician Ash K. the Pretty Good. Madden is excited as well, if at times intimidated by the logistics. “The Good News is that I wanted to put on something different from an open mic event, where various persons of questionable talent have an audience often held hostage. So I asked Michael Fedor to provide some judges to review the video clips performer will submit. The Bad News is that it’s not an open mic event, so it’s a lot more work for all concerned.”

Performers interested simply submit links to their video or musical performances, and a panel of judges decides if it makes the grade for the next night of Tuesday performances. Managing the judges and communication with the performers is the coffee house’s general manager, Julie Blodgett. Said Blodgett, “I’ve wanted to have live entertainment here, and I think people are really going to enjoy themselves. For the price of two drinks, I think visitors are going to have a great time. We hope the event is a hit.”

The event will be hosted every time by Madden’s business partner, magician Ash K. the Pretty Good, who will be returning from his native Balka just a few weeks ahead of the event to help out where he can. Reached by phone, Ash K. explained, “In May & June, I’m typically back home in Eastern Europe, spending time hunting the rare Faska nut, but Kevin wouldn’t stop whining, and threatened to disconnect my Skype account. I don’t understand computers, so he kind of had me cornered. But I DO like the idea of pros trying out material, and dedicated amateurs who are good at what they do, both having a shot to have an attentive audience on a regular basis. I grew up around live performances rather than television, and think Americans might rather enjoy – if it’s held to a certain standard, and if they turn down the darn volume.”

Asked for clarification about Ash K.’s comments, Madden explained that he doesn’t know a) what exactly a Faska nut is, nor b) why he continues to manage Ash K’s colorful career. Madden did explain that the event will be “unplugged,” with only instruments that must have amplification allowed to use it. “If you play the accordion, we want to hear it, not a speaker. Same for the guitar. We’ll make some exceptions – that wonderful, quirky “Star Trek” instrument the Theremin of course needs electricity to be heard, and jazz singers who use a mic technique called “speech level singing” get a pass – but people should be able to hear you 30 feet away without electrons’ support.”

Asked if there was anything else to know, Madden responded: “Most definitely! We’ve set up a website full of Frequently Asked Questions, and as we accept performances for slots, we’ll have links to the performer’s stuff, as well as slide shows of their publicity shots. Everything can be found there – it’s a painless way to see if we have someone coming you find particularly compelling – please see it at www.caffeinatedcabaretofsanfrancisco.blogspot.com.” As for an admission price, Madden explained, “The event will be free for now, but of course I hope customers will buy drinks to help cover the printing costs.”

For the flavor of the event, Madden knows what he wants: “It’s not ‘Cabaret’ in the slightly pathetic, American sense of scantily clad women performing suggestive songs, but it is very much in the European tradition of having a variety of quality performers. I’ll also be asking surprise performers to join us, as well as friends who are are established, but want to try out new material. We’re shooting for a good night, every night.”

Facts at a Glance
Name: Caffeinated Cabaret™
Address: It’s a Grind Coffee House, 1800 Polk (@ Washington)
Dates: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, beginning June 3, 2008
Time: 7 – 9:30 pm
Website: caffeinatedcabaretofsanfrancisco.blogspot.com
Cost: Two beverages (currently, no cover charge)
Media Contact: Kevin A. Madden

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