Live musicians play for you

A customer asked me Saturday morning, “Do you ever have live music here?”

“Yes!” I replied. “Yes, we do! We actually had some last night!”

I told him about the night before, when local musician Dave Tessier spent a few hours with us. Dave, who has many fans among the staff at Brewed, played his guitar and sang for a little over an hour. The evening was quiet, cloudy and sort of chilly for July, and it was one of those nights that I was able to really enjoy working at a coffee shop.

We expected the night to be crazy, but instead, it was cozy.

Many of Dave’s songs focused on his faith, and one of my favorites told the story of a handicapped boy who only wanted to play baseball. At the end of the evening, Dave told us that he enjoyed coming out and playing for his friends and family.

We have several more musicians coming to Brewed Awakenings in the next few weeks. Come out and hear some music from people who simply love to play for you.

Upcoming artists include Diva Kai (July 31) and Chris Miller (August 4). For more information, see Events and Press on our website.

Still sharing a plate

Our customers are one of the best things about Brewed! Read the following story about a couple of these awesome customers.

An elderly couple came into the shop today and ordered two decaf coffees, a chocolate chip cookie and a butter rum scone. Brandon poured their coffees, and as I slid them two plates with their respective goodies of choice, the man informed me that they only needed one plate.

“We sleep together,” he announced. “We can share a plate.”

His wife sheepishly looked down at her purse, giggling.

“Well, that’s good,” I said, thinking how nice it must be to be old and still in love.

“I bet you don’t hear that often,” he remarked.

“Nope,” I answered, smiling.

“Not many people still sleep with their sister at my age!” I watched his wife’s shoulders shake as her giggles intensified, and so did mine.

“This is the first time we’ve been here,” he continued. “We’ve been driving past here for a year, but it’s the first time we’ve stopped in. And I sure like it. It’s just like I imagined it would be.”

I was very, very glad.

Brewed welcomes Iowa Songwriters Guild

Brewed Awakenings hosted the first annual Iowa Songwriters Guild Summer Showcase Tuesday evening, July 14. Eight local musicians took their turn sharing their original songs for an audience that filled nearly every seat in the cafe’.

Performers played both guitar and keyboard, and their songs touched on themes ranging from love to faith.

Nick and Allie Lapointe started the Guild over a year ago with her husband when they moved to Cedar Rapids.

“We have our regulars,” Allie said. “It’s a lot of fun. We have new people, too. We kind of speak each other’s language.”

Performers included Chris Miller, Allie Lapointe, Keith Yoder, Jessy Vera, Lane Gaffney, Marcy Each, Dave Paris and Nick Lapointe.

The Iowa Songwriters Guild meets the second Tuesday of each month and always welcomes new people interested in songwriting. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/iowasongwritersguild.

Banjos and puns invade Brewed Awakenings

I’ll bet you didn’t know:

What is a mosquito’s favorite sport? Skin diving.

What is a mouse’s favorite game? Hide and squeak!

Banjo music filled the café Tuesday evening at Brewed Awakenings, interspersed with jokes and requests from a little boy in the audience. The folk trio Unstrung Heroes pulled out their instruments and matching blue shirts to entertain us with some traditional folk songs and John Denver tunes.

And between each song, Dave Brauhn, who shared the stage with Casey Orr and Kelly Rooks, drew upon his ample supply of “punny” jokes:

Why do thermometers go to college? To get degrees.

Dave, a retired elementary school principal, told me the group has been singing together for 15 years in nursing homes, care centers, at birthday and anniversary parties and in church services.

“We have a good time,” Dave said.

“We hope to share a little enjoyment,” Casey added.

Brewed barista Amanda and her husband Nate stopped by to play a game and enjoy the music and some tasty drinks with friends.

“We just came to hang out,” Amanda said. “There’s always some sort of excitement here. You never know what you’ll find!”

Brewed Awakenings hosts live music events regularly. Come out to hear the Iowa Songwriter’s Guild on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. and local singer/songwriter Dave Tessier on Friday, July 17, also at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on upcoming live music events on our website under Events & Press.

Music Tuesday, July 7, 7-8:30 pm.

This week we are having a Tuesday music night! Woohoo! We will be featuring the music of the Unstrung Heroes. They are best known as a classic folk group with a little gospel & railroad tunes thrown in. Music starts at 7 pm. Come hungry & thirsty as you must try the goodies from our Mocktails & Morsels menu.

We have so many concerts coming up, too! Check out the events page on our website to see more!

Mocktails are here!

Since we’ve introduced our newest batch of drinks, I, Katie, have enjoyed watching people browse the new menu and hesitantly try something new.

“Hmm…what mocktail shall I try?”

The first evening we offered the new drinks, I sat at the shop with some fellow Brewed kids.  As Henson ordered his third drink for the evening, I overheard him promise to pay for it himself, rather than hemorrhage his mother’s account.   I considered reminding him overindulgence is not necessary; he does not have to try the entire menu in one evening.  I figure he already knows: Mocktails are here to stay.

“The Long Chailand”

Henson favors the Eskimo, while Kylee is a fan of the fruity-flavored faux-tinis.

We hooked other regular customers on the Long Chailand, made of soda and chai, and the DirTea, a chai-espresso mixture.

“The Eskimocha”

I enjoyed an Eskimocha, a small, iced concoction of espresso, cream and chocolate, shaken and served in a martini glass with a special Brewed Awakenings cocktail napkin.

“Kyle tries The Dude”

The new mocktail menu, comprised of cocktail-inspired, iced espresso, chai and soda drinks, also includes tasty appetizers.

A few afternoons ago, while working on the island of Brewed at St. Luke’s Hospital,  Brooke and I decided that Ellen’s spinach artichoke dip, featured on the mocktail menu, would likely be a part of our last meal.  (Yes, it’s that good.)

And don’t forget, it’s all available nightly from 6 to 9, Monday – Friday.

Come chill at Brewed this summer!