It was a sad day when the St. James Coffeehouse closed its doors back in November of 2012. The Coffeehouse, which presented monthly shows at the St. James Church Episcopal Church in Greenfield, was a popular fixture on the local music scene during its 12 years in operation. The coffeehouse was a great place to get together with family and friends to enjoy a fine evening of music by both local and nationally known musicians. And we can’t forget to mention, those delicious deserts they served.
But we have some good news, the St. James Coffeehouse will reopen its doors for one night only on Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m., when it hosts a special encore show with singer-songwriter Don White. There will be an opening set by local musician Joe Graveline.
Fred Momaney of Greenfield, who was the driving force behind the coffeehouse during its operation, is once again back at the helm to present this show.
In the years since the coffeehouse ended, Momaney has stayed in touch with Don White, whose annual shows were a favorite of the coffeehouse. White played the coffeehouse during its first year running and was such a hit that he returned every year, always playing to a packed, delighted house.
When Momaney suggested to White that he might like to come back one more time, White immediately said “yes.”
“That coffeehouse was my home away from home for a long time,” said White, calling from Calgary, Canada where he was on tour with Christine Lavin. “When Fred proposed this show as a possibility, I thought it was great. I’m glad to get back up there.”
As of now, this is a one-time-only show. Running the coffeehouse requires a great deal of work and when Momaney stepped down in 2012, it was because he no longer had the time to devote to the job. He said that while he has missed the coffeehouse, he is currently doing a lot of traveling, so has no plan to pick up the reins again. But, he is looking forward to this encore show and having a good time on Saturday night. And if you have ever seen Don White in concert, you know that his shows are a guaranteed good time.
A Don White show is more than a concert, it’s a night of entertainment. White, who is described as a storyteller-comedian-author-troubador-folk singer-songwriter, sings songs that are wise and witty. Some of his songs will tug at your heartstring, while others will have you laughing until the tears run down your face.
White, who resides in Lynn, has a background in stand-up comedy, which he carries into his work as a singer-songwriter. His between song stories are inspired by his everyday life, and whether he’s talking about raising teenagers or the trials and tribulations of a long-term marriage, listeners can easily relate to his hilarious tales.
White didn’t launch his career until he was 30, and for many years he toured as a solo artist who primarily played in New England. But in 2008, he teamed up with Christine Lavin, another singer-songwriter who is known for injecting a heavy dose of humor into her music, and their partnership has proven extremely successful. The duo currently perform about 60 shows a year together.
“There is a lot of demand for these shows with Christine because it’s not like other shows. It’s funny and we’ve been doing it long enough that people know about it,” said White.
It’s clear that a lot has changed for White since his early days playing the St. James Coffeehouse. He performs so much with Lavin, that he rarely does solo shows anymore. The pair travel all over the United States and Canada.
“Being on airplanes every weekend is kind of a young person’s game. It’s great more people are learning about me and it’s cool to be standing here looking at the Canadian Rockies and all, but I like the idea of sleeping in my own bed and being with my grandchildren and all that, too. So I have some mixed feelings about it,” said White.
White was quite content being a New England-based artist and never imagined that 25 years in, his career would be taking off like it is.
“Everything that happened to me happened despite me. I have no plan. All of a sudden I look up and I have been on an airplane every weekend for three years and I don’t know how it happened or why it happened,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just along for the ride. I’m expecting them to discover that the emperor has no clothes and then I’m done.”
But all joking aside, White said that his career is actually a strong argument for loving what you do.
“When you just concentrate on the work, it can take you places that you couldn’t have conceived of,” he said. “If you are spending half your time wondering how to get to the Canadian Rockies, that’s time that you are not writing or working on your craft. I believe you concentrate on the work, try to make some money at it, be happy with what you’ve got, and then you’ll be surprised where it brings you.”
And for right now, it’s bringing White back to one of his favorite places to play.
“It’s great that they are opening up for this one show and it’s a homecoming of sorts for me,” said White. “Plus it’s a rare solo show, so I get to stretch out and play some material that I don’t play with Christine, so I’m excited about that, too. This is a night I’m really looking forward to.”
For more information about Don White, visit: www.donwhite.net
Doors open Saturday at 7 p.m. Graveline opens at 7:15, and White starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets are available at World Eye Book Shop, 156 Main St. in Greenfield or at the St. James Church office, 8 Church St. in Greenfield. For more information or to make reservations, call 413-772-2213 or 413-773-3925. Refreshments will be available.
The Nite Capps at the Elks Lodge
Saturday night will be a busy one in Greenfield. In addition to the Don White show, The Nite Caps will take over the Elks Lodge and transform it into a Texas two-step dance hall. The Nite Caps is a group of well established local musicians who play in various other bands, but when they come together as the Nite Caps, play a brand of high-energy roots country and western swing.
The band features Tom Randall on lead guitar and vocals, Betsy-Dawn Williams on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Pattavina on upright bass and vocals, Jeff Potter on drums and harmonica and Rich Sullivan on pedal steel guitar.
Matt Duveneck will be on hand to lead an opening two-step dance lesson before the band starts. And it’s all for a good causes as proceeds from the dance will go to benefit LifePath’s (formerly Franklin County Home Care) Meals on Wheels program, which provides hot meals and smiles to more than 550 deserving people in our community every day.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for a spaghetti dinner being served by the Elks Emblem Club.
Salad, spaghetti with meatballs and sausage, as well as a vegetarian marinara sauce, garlic bread and dessert will be served. The dance lesson will be begin at 7 p.m. and the band will start at 7:30. Tickets are $10 for the dinner, $5 after 7 p.m. for music and dancing only.
The Elks Lodge is located at 2 Church St. in Greenfield. For more information call 413-774-4909.
Sheryl Hunter is a music writer who lives in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national magazines. You can contact her at: soundslocal@yahoo.com