Upcoming Shows
Casa Kemnitz Jam for Casa Maria
Be part of a long-running CoffeeHouse tradition and bring your voice, instrument, a poem or story, or simply come to listen share, and contribute. Your donations will help Casa Maria, an intentional community, dedicated to following the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.
Casa Maria currently runs four houses. They perform such services as: taking in single mothers and their children who are in need of housing; providing longer-term housing to families and women who need more support; and giving temporary living space for workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and others facing difficulties within the immigration system.
http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com/
Portage Road Songwriters Guild
The Portage Road Songwriters Guild has been nourishing new songs into existence for over 16 years. The Coffee House has hosted its well-anticipated new song concert each year. We’re delighted to hear brand new songs unfurling their wings into the world. Performing tonight will be Eric Baer, Jay Bullock, Bob Estes, Chris Head, Mark Plotkin, Chris Straw, Tom & Barb Webber, and perhaps a few guests. Be warned: this concert is always lively!
Lewin & Chan
Chris Chan and Heather Lewin are best known as members of Blackthorn Folly, a traditionally inspired band from the Milwaukee area who play Celtic tunes, pub songs, American standards, and even some pop music.
With Chris’s powerful baritone vocals, bouzouki, and guitar; and Heather’s amazing fiddle and vocals, they bring high energy and devotion to every song. Don’t miss this wonderful duo!
Earth Poets and Musicians Earthstravaganza
Earth Poets & Musicians Holly Haebig Wake, Suzanne Rosenblatt, and Harvey Taylor welcome you to their 37th Annual Earthstravaganza, joined by poet extraordinaire Kavon Jones, and other special guests TBA, all celebrating Mother Earth, doing their best to defend Her, and honoring the much-loved and greatly-missed Jahmes Finlayson, with proceeds benefitting their much-appreciated "home venue," The Coffee House! Join us for an evening of inspiration, enlightenment, humor, and joy.
Community Sing
Our 14th annual Community Sing features Midwest folk singers and song leaders Will Branch, Julie Thompson, and Craig Siemsen. Julie, Craig, and Will will lead the audience in a group sing featuring well known and loved songs. The Community Sing is part of a movement that started at the Ten Pound Fiddle in East Lansing, Michigan, and has spread throughout the country. We hope that all listeners — in-person and virtual — will join in singing. Our song leaders are each accomplished musicians, songwriters, and humorists. Will Branch is a singer, guitarist, banjoist, and teacher, beloved by both big and little people. Noted folk singer Joe Jencks has said Julie Thompson sings with a style that is silky and soulful. Craig Siemsen has been called “(an) acclaimed performer on the Midwest’s burgeoning acoustic folk scene” by Albuquerque’s The Weekly Alibi. The lyrics and chords will be available and shared as we get closer to the concert date.
Will Branch http://www.willbranch.com/
Julie Thompson http://www.julievoice.com
Craig Siemsen www.craigtunes.com
Ben Mulwana with opener Mie
Ben Mulwana is a Ugandan-born and raised artist residing in Wisconsin. With soulful lyrics and a diverse range of musical inspiration, Ben's music has a storytelling quality that is both unique and familiar. Whether alone or with his band, he brings high energy, engaging with his listeners and sharing his heart through his music!. Ben released his debut EP, "Wano Naawe", in June 2019; and his most recently released Single, "Lies of the Devil", is available on all streaming platforms. https://www.benmulwana.com/
Opening for Ben is Mie, 27-year-old singer-songwriter and producer, is making waves in the Milwaukee music scene with her heartfelt originals and soulful storytelling. Over the summer of '23, she played her Summerfest debut and was featured on The Musician's Venture podcast and the Wisconsin Music Podcast where she candidly shares her transformative journey in music. Mie was also featured in American Family Field's "Live from Left Field" music series, SoFar Milwaukee's lineup, and at Nö Studios. Most recently, Mie toured alongside Milwaukee's Cullah to Jackson, Mississippi for an OO Presents show at the great Duling Hall. Fans anticipate the release of Mie's collaborative original pop project with Timothy Rose from Sun Sawed in 2024. https://therealmie.com/
Green Sails with Tom Martinsen
Inspired by the winds of Lake Michigan, Green Sails sets an entertaining course of rousing tunes and delightful melodies fueled by Amy Otis-Wilborn's Irish fiddle and Sandy Weisto's guitar and vocals. Their performances offer Irish/Celtic luscious melodies and rousing dance tunes as well as delightful songs, intriguing stories, and engaging opportunities for audience participation. Their name, Green Sails, represents "Green" for Irish music as well as ecological sustainability and "Sails" for the winds that are the spirit Celtic sailing tales and tunes. They can be found performing at local Farmer's Markets and various Irish themed events including Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Opener Tom Martinsen’s music is a lively mix of hone-grown tunes, wonderful quirky indie folk, old blues and traditional folk, and acoustic motown dance numbers that the audience can really join in on.
Celebrating John King
A long-time friend and performer at the Coffee House, John King passed on in November of 2023. To honor his memory, Brett Kemnitz, Paul Smith, Andy Jehly, Ives Iverson, Francesca & Tom, Mary Wacker, Eccentric Acoustic (Sandy Stehling, Ruth Williams and Scott Emmons) and more will be performing a body of music that John made his own with his remarkable voice and devotion. This will include selections by Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Ray Price, and Kris Kristofferson.
All donations will go to benefit The Coffee House.
Peace Benefit
Tonight’s show will present two veteran - and Veteran - Milwaukee folksingers singing songs with a theme of peace.
John Higgins, a United States Navy veteran, is a member of the Stringalong Band and plays solo shows of original songs and covers. "The power of music is incredible. I believe music is the great peacemaker and allows us to experience creative hope”. https://jphiggins.weebly.com/home.html
David HB Drake, a Vietnam-era veteran, has performed for over 40 years throughout the Midwest presenting songs for folks of all ages and with the Dangerous Folk trio. He has received awards from Peace Action of Wisconsin for his years of service to the peace and justice movement in Milwaukee and a Lifetime Achievement award from Folk Alliance / Region Midwest. https://www.davidhbdrake.com/
This show will be a benefit with all proceeds after CH expenses going to the missions at Plymouth Church. We are grateful to be part of this wonderful place!
The String Along Band
The String Along Band plays music to soothe the savage soul! Covering music by Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson, Patsy Cline, John Denver, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Various Rock N' Roll, Blue Grass, Country and classics from days gone by and more! And long-time member John Higgins (guitar, banjo, vocals) is one of the great volunteers who have helped keep The Coffee House alive and well. Other band members performing Saturday are Steve Karthauser, Brian Karthauser, Steve Vogt, Zach Karthauser, and David Morrissey. Come to see some great folks playing some great music! For more info see their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/stringalongband
Kitchin & Granzow and Eccentric Acoustic
This evening’s show is a co-bill of two fine groups: the duo Kitchin & Granzow, and the trio Eccentric Acoustic.
The Kitchin Granzow duo is Gary Kitchin (guitar, vocals, mandolin, harmonica) and John Granzow (guitar and vocals). Gary and John have performed together for years, including as founding members of the wonderful folk/rock/ and blues group aptly named the Dirty Dishes that graced our stage in previous years! Their devotion to the music and high energy will warm our audience on this mid-February show!
Eccentric Acoustic is a trio featuring Ruth Williams on mandolin, Sandy Stehling on guitar, and Scott Emmons on bass. They perform a wide variety of music, ranging from swing era jazz and country blues to more contemporary country, folk, and Americana. Ruth Williams started singing harmony while doing the family dishes with her sister. She currently sings with Milwaukee’s Bel Canto Chorus. Ruth forsook the autoharp for the mandolin some years ago and has been a stalwart member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra for more than twenty years.Sandy Stehling began playing guitar as a way to avoid studying while attending UW-Madison. His transcript shows the success of this strategy. The lively folk music scene on campus at the time was a major influence. He has been heard playing as a soloist and in various groups in the Milwaukee area for many years. Scott Emmons, a multi-instrumentalist, is dean of the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. He performs in a classical guitar quartet, plays mando-cello in the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, and is the director of the New Horizons Band in Waukesha. Ruth and Sandy have been making music together since they first met some thirtyyears ago. They have played with Scott informally in various musical gatherings in the Milwaukee area, and have enjoyed collaborating with Scott seriously for the past four years. The process of combining three individuals’ musical tastes into an ensemble repertoire yields the serious fun that is Eccentric Acoustic.
Coffee House Friends Gathering and Jam
Folks would walk under the old Coffee House sign to enter a welcoming world of music and poet friends to talk about peace and justice, reminisce, and share their stories and songs. Tonight we invite everyone to join in on an old Coffee House tradition. Bring an instrument, a song or your own book of poems. You can come just to listen or join in yourself. - The Coffee House Friends Gathering and Open Jam is a time to gather together listen, appreciate everybody's contribution, and have fun singing -- that's what it's all about. In a jam session or song circle just try to be observant and feel your way gently. Each person who wants to can take a turn playing a song and they lead the group. The idea is that no one plays louder than the person leading the song. Depending on the size of the group you may be able to lead multiple songs when the circle comes around as each person takes a turn. We love if people just want to come to listen too. Wonderful time to visit with friends.
Memorial Show
Early in the new year The Coffee House celebrates the poets and musicians that have passed away in the past year. This year Tony Linz, Joe DeLucia and Julie Lovely Thompson will play the songs of some of their favorites of those we have lost in 2023.
Tony Linz brings his love of folk music to every performance. A long time member and jam leader for Make Our Own Music Gathering, this is his first appearance on the Coffee House stage.
Joe DeLucia is a self-taught, gifted singer/songwriter who brings to you his heartfelt spirit through his lyrics and melodies. He’s a James Taylor style guitarist and singer and he would love to share his gift of music with you.
Full time singer, Maine native, Julie Thompson is based in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
“Julie has one of the richest and most versatile voices I’ve heard in a long time. Her heart allows her to make each of the songs she sings, her very own. Lovely, Lovely.”
- Bill Staines, Singer Songwriter, New Hampshire
PK Harmony and Jerry & Maya Danks
An evening of two wonderful duos: PK Harmony and Jerry & Maya Danks.
PK Harmony is Peter Lee and Karen Levy on vocals, autoharp and guitar. Together they make lovely harmonies and joyous renditions of jug-band, country blues, early jazz, and Americana. https://www.facebook.com/PKHarmony1/
Jerry and Maya Danks are a father-daughter duo who bring their wonderful guitar and mandolin playing and Maya’s amazing vocals to wide variety of great songs. Be prepare to be delighted!
The Frozen Four
The Frozen Four are two duos that are no strangers to The Coffee House stage: Paul Smith & Andy Jehly, and JP Spencer and Ives Iverson.
Paul Smith & Andy Jehly come from very different musical backgrounds. Paul’s most significant musical influences are 1960’s psychedelic and folk rock, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Arlo Guthrie, Jorma Kaukonen, the Beatles, Larry Campbell, the Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield. Andy’s are old traditional folk, R&B, and country, including Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding. What they share is a passion for music with history, great harmonies, and evocative lyrics.
Reflecting his upbringing in Philadelphia, J. P. Spencer has pledged an oath to himself and his audience that irreverence will always be his guiding light. His songs careen from humorous to serious to downright disturbing, but with a singular focus towards the entertainment of all in attendance.
Ives Iverson is a multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, harp and voice) who loves to blend blues & folk, jazz & rock, and the word artistry of great singer-songwriters and poets.
Naughty or Nice Benefit
Tonight’s show will be a Coffee House benefit featuring three acts performing songs with the theme “Naughty or Nice”: songs about good people and not-so-good people, and, well, some really rotten people. Our performers will be Jonnie Guernsey with Jon Pagenkopf, Steve Girman with Scott Dunnington, and John Granzow with Gary Kitchin. They promise to make us all feel relatively good about ourselves while supporting a good cause - the Friedens Food Pantry.
Jonnie Guernsey and Jon Pagenkopf have collaborated on music for many years. These theme shows have inspired us to seek out music we might never have found.
Steve Girman has been presenting his engaging ukulele performances for children around Wisconsin for decades. He has more recently crossed over into "music for grown-ups." Scott Dunnington has been strumming guitars for about 60 years. For the past 6 years, has run the Lake Country Ukulele Club, playing the bass and arranging songs for ukulele. Their repertoire represents over a century of familiar favorites.
John Granzow and Gary Kitchin play for fun - their own and anyone who’s listening. Both grandpas, they look forward to teaching the next generation all about the infinite possibilities of I, IV, V.
carisa with opener Jennifer Hedstrom
carisa came to the Coffee House in December of 2022 for the Musicians Who Paint benefit, and our audience fell in love with her touching and skilled performances of a wide variety of music. This will be her first show with us as a headliner. carisa has recently opened shows for Willy Porter and Peter Mulvey and on Peter’s recommendation is taking over from him for the annual National Science Camp gig.
carisa site
Jennifer Hedstrom is a piano-centered singer-songwriter based in Madison, WI. During her career as a songwriter, she has released two full length solo albums: Prairie (2018) and Bodies of Water (2011). In describing her music, Isthmus Picks said: “Singer-songwriter Jennifer Hedstrom’s piano-driven pop songs are meditations on the natural world that also explore complicated emotional landscapes. Her singing is a breath of fresh air — clear and unadorned — as is her classically inspired piano playing.”
Fox & Branch
For over two decades, Dave Fox and Will Branch have energized audiences in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. Their dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs, and family folk music has appealed to children and adults, giving everyone a chance to actively participate.
Fox and Branch recordings have won five Parent’s Choice recommended awards. The duo has appeared at festivals such as the Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Philadelphia Folk Festival and The Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival (Westport, Ireland). They have been featured at venues like The National Theater in Washington D.C., Symphony Space in New York City, Club Passim in Boston and The Overture Center in Madison, WI.
Wherever they perform, their aim is to create a communal atmosphere of fun and high spirits shared by all those present.
Tom & Barb Webber
Barb Webber is a natural storyteller, a talent honed by years of listening. She writes a Capella, letting the words choose their own notes, without constraints. It is in singing the songs over and over that the story finds its own rhythm and melody. Off stage, she is a great audience, listening to other people share their life's happenings.
Tom Webber was born and raised in Borger, Texas, just north of Amarillo in the dry dusty Texas Panhandle. His early memories include playing with horny toads and ants. It is clear to all outsiders why music becomes such an important part of a young person's social life in the Texas Panhandle: there is, quite simply, nothing else to do. Tom began jamming in grade school and hasn't stopped. He has developed an interesting 2-finger picking style for the tender love ballads which contrasts dramatically with his country-rock strum. Tom is persistent in finding arrangements that give voice to the personality of each song.
Joining Tom & Barb will be Andy Waldoch, their long-time, wonderful bassist in their folk-rock band Fair Webber.
Patty & Craig
Patty Stevenson and Craig Siemsen are known for their gorgeous harmonies, impeccable musicianship, playful stage humor, and jewel-like original songs. Patty says about performing, “I try for magic – nothing less! For the place that opens hearts and will move an audience to tears or smiles.” For many years, the couple maintained solo careers, even after they married. Eventually, with the prodding of wise friends, they agreed to perform one show as a duo. Today, they continue to create and record original songs as well as their own variations on timeless pieces that often span the ages of creativity in sound.
Frogwater
Frogwater is Susan Jeske Dermody and John Nicholson. Their amazing music features a cross pollination of musical genres: Celtic, Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Blues. Their performances are particularly influenced by their love of Irish and Scottish music.
For the past several years, Frogwater has performed regularly at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Irish Fest, Bastille Days and Rainbow Summer. They also perform at numerous other fairs and contra dances across the state and Midwest. They received honors as best band in the Bluegrass and Country categories in WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards two years running. Suffice it to say, The Coffee House is delighted to have these wonderful artists back on our stage!
Bill Camplin
Co-owner of the popular folk venue Café Carpe in Fort Atkinson, Bill Camplin entertains with the clarity of his penetrating mind, guitar mastery, and quicksilver voice. Come see a long-time mainstay of Wisconsin folk music and supporter of The Coffee House.
Songwriters Round Robin
Tonight we bring the music of three songwriters presented in round robin format: Bernie Bernhoft, Eric Erickson, and Lisa Pellegrinetti Medina.
Bernie Bernhoft’s style stretches the boundaries of folk with insightful lyrics and inspired guitar. With summer and fall shows in Chicago and Minneapolis his shows are gaining regional attention. Bernie’s Facebook page.
Eric Erickson is a prolific songwriter as a solo artist and with the Hometown Boys and also hosts the beloved open mic at the Coffeehouse at Chestnut and Pine in Burlington. Eric’s You Tube channel.
Lisa Pellegrinetti Medina is a folk and contemporary singer-songwriter, whose eclectic songs invite you into a world of wonder. Her past music performance experience includes: church choir, theater kid, solo artist, vocals/guitar in various duos and rock bands, and on big stages as a vocalist with a Grammy-nominated Latin mambo orchestra. After a long break from writing and performing to raise her babies, Lisa is currently busy recording her first full length studio album.
All three performers are new to the Coffee House and we are excited to bring them together on our stage. This performance is a benefit for Grandmothers Beyond Borders, an all-volunteer organization that raises funds to support community based initiatives at the grass roots level in Uganda. GBB works to improve the lives of grandmothers and their grandchildren who are struggling to survive because of the devastating impact of AIDS.
An Evening of Poets - Anderson, Cárdenas and Murtaugh
Stephen Anderson is a Milwaukee poet and translator whose work has appeared in Southwest Review, Latin American Literature Today, Verse Wisconsin, and numerous other print and online journals. Many of his poems have been featured on the Milwaukee NPR affiliate WUWM Lake Effect Program. Stephen is the author of three chapbooks, as well as two full length collections, In the Garden of Angels and Demons and The Dream Angel Plays The Cello. In the summer of 2013, six of his poems formed the text for a chamber music song cycle entitled The Privileged Secrets of the Arch performed by musicians from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and an opera singer. Stephen's new full-length poetry book, High Wire, was published in late 2021 by Kelsay Books.
https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/stephen_anderson
Brenda Cárdenas is a Milwaukee poet and teacher. She is the author of several chapbooks, two edited anthologies, and the full-length collection Boomerang (Bilingual Press/Editorial Bilingüe), Her most recent collection of poetry is titled Trace and was published in April 2023 by Red Hen Press.2009. Cárdenas served as the Milwaukee poet laureate from 2010 to 2012. In 2014, the Library of Congress recorded a reading of her work for their Spotlight on U.S. Hispanic Writers. She currently teaches in the creative writing program at UWM.
https://poets.org/poet/brenda-cardenas
Bill Murtaugh is a local writer of poetry, prose, and plays. Bill has inhabited and read at many coffeehouses and poetry venues in our fair city, and has been a much loved reader at The Coffee House for decades. The poet Antler invites us to read Bill's Autumn Runs to Darkness and to "...discover secrets of survival and tenderness from one of Milwaukee's longtime lifelong poets."
John Stano with Jorge Vallentine opening
Singer/songwriter John Stano’s sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica, expressive vocals and insightful songwriting developed over many years of performance and study. He sometimes adds a little mandolin, cigar box guitar or banjo to the mix as well. His style can be described as a combination of folk, blues and Americana. Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. John studied English and creative writing at U.W. Madison. A skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. ‘Green Man Review’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. John also performs his own arrangements of folk and country blues classics by artists such as Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt and Bukka White and contemporary writers such as; Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, John Prine and Tom Waits. John is a flexible and engaging performer who works regularly at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. John has released four recordings of original music.
Jorge Vallentine is bringing his full, authentic self to the stage with The Honest Love. Vulnerable storytelling and compelling rhythms are at the heart of Jorge Vallentine’s distinctive indie folk sound. He layers dark and brooding indie rock effects behind a bright and percussive acoustic guitar, freely transforming from singer-songwriter to folk punk to one-man-band.
Jorge site
Lil Rev
Lil Rev is a storyteller, poet, author, folklorist and joke-lorist; a performer on multiple instruments at festivals, camps, and clubs; a teacher and instructional book writer; a composer of original music and a torch bearer for old tunes. And he has delighted audiences at The Coffee House for decades!
In the second set, Rev will be joined by special guest guitarist Jim Eannelli to back up. Jim is a much-admired veteran of the Milwaukee music scene, and has played with The Violent Femmes, Bodeans, and dozens of famous Milwaukee groups.
Mike Ward & Wes Collins
We have an amazing show for the last show of the 22-23 season! Mike Ward & Wes Collins 2 amazing singer songwriters!
Award winning Detroit based singer-songwriter Mike Ward is known for his lyrically-centric, vocally-charged folk songs. While growing up in Port Huron, Michigan, he listened to the Irish music of his heritage and sang in several choirs before digesting the influential sounds of Simon & Garfunkel, Dylan, Springsteen and John Prine. These days, he finds inspiration in the works of Jason Isbell, Sarah Jarosz and John Paul White. His intimate songwriting echoes through empty city streets, back country roads and family portraits. It also resides in the hidden spaces between joy and tragedy, love and loss.
Mike has released four studio albums, “We Wonder” (2018) ,“The Darkness and The Light” (2021), "Career Advice" a single (2021),“Particles to Pearls” (June 2022) an EP "Troubled Times" (Oct. 2022) and "Love Never Rests" (April 2023). Outside of his releases, Ward performs regularly at small venues, clubs, house shows and festivals throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and the East Coast.
Mike Ward: psychosongs.com
Wes Collens At age 44, Wes Collins and his wife Anita made a pact to become writers: she started writing fiction and Wes penned his first song. A few years later, they were both multi-award-winners in their fields. Collins more than makes up for lost time with songs so dense with ideas that a first listen only scratches the surface. Come for a haunting melody and some intricate fingerpicking and stay for the wit and deep literary intelligence. There is always more to find in a Wes Collins song. Wes has played shows from coast to coast including: The Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville, TN; The Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX; the Cary Theater in Cary, NC (opening for Dave Olney); and many more. He is a winner of the prestigious Grassy Hills New Folk Competition and a North Carolina Arts Council Songwriting Fellowship, and has been featured as a finalist in The Telluride Troubadour Contest in Telluride, CO; The Songwriter's Serenade Competition in Moravia, TX; and The Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest in Dallas, TX. link: wescollins.com
Portage Road Songwriters Guild
The Portage Road Songwriters Guild has been nourishing new songs into existence for over 15 years. The Coffee House has hosted its well-anticipated new song concert each year. We’re delighted to hear brand new songs unfurling their wings into the world. Performing tonight will be Eric Baer, Jay Bullock, Bob Estes, Chris Head, Mark Plotkin, Chris Straw, Tom & Barb Webber, and perhaps a few guests. Be warned: this concert is always lively!
The Casa Kemnitz Jam for Casa Maria
Be part of a long-running CoffeeHouse tradition and bring your voice, instrument, a poem or story, or simply come to listen share, and contribute. Your donations will help Casa Maria, an intentional community, dedicated to following the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.
Casa Maria currently runs four houses. They perform such services as: taking in single mothers and their children who are in need of housing; providing longer-term housing to families and women who need more support; and giving temporary living space for workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and others facing difficulties within the immigration system.
http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com/
Community Sing
Our 13th annual Community Sing features Midwest folk singers and song leaders Will Branch, Julie Thompson, and Craig Siemsen. Julie, Craig, and Will will lead the audience in a group sing featuring well known and loved songs. The Community Sing is part of a movement that started at the Ten Pound Fiddle in East Lansing, Michigan, and has spread throughout the country. We hope that all listeners — in-person and virtual — will join in singing. Our song leaders are each accomplished musicians, songwriters, and humorists. Will Branch is a singer, guitarist, banjoist, and teacher, beloved by both big and little people. Noted folk singer Joe Jencks has said Julie Thompson sings with a style that is silky and soulful. Craig Siemsen has been called “(an) acclaimed performer on the Midwest’s burgeoning acoustic folk scene” by Albuquerque’s The Weekly Alibi. The lyrics and chords will be available and shared as we get closer to the concert date.
Will Branch http://www.willbranch.com/
Julie Thompson http://www.julievoice.com
Craig Siemsen www.craigtunes.com
Earth Poets
The 36th annual Earth Poets & Musicians Earthstravaganza will bring Jahmes Finlayson, Holly Haebig, Suzanne Rosenblatt, and Harvey Taylor, with special guests Ousia Moon and Shawn Gurath opening, to celebrate the wonders of our Earth-Home, and do our best to defend it. Join us for an evening of inspiration, enlightenment, humor, and joy.
Ousia Moon (they/them) is a violinist, vocalist, and guitarist, founding member of Milwaukee bands B8r (previously known as Ruth B8r Ginsburg), Sweet Sheiks, and Murder Ballad. Ousia will be joined by their partner, Shawn Gurath, (he/ him) on guitar and vocals.
In a special note, the Earth Poets said, “The Coffee House is the beneficiary of the concert proceeds, in gratitude for the sterling support provided over the decades.”
Lil Rev / Peggy James with Jim Eannelli
Lil Rev is a storyteller, poet, author, folklorist and joke-lorist; a performer on multiple instruments at festivals, camps, and clubs; a teacher and instructional book writer; a composer of original music and a torch bearer for old tunes. And he has delighted audiences at The Coffee House for decades!
Peggy James is very well known around Milwaukee and plays with her husband Jim Eannelli who'll also be sitting in on the set with Lil Rev. They are both veterans of the Milwaukee music scene. Jim has played with The Violent Femmes, Bodeans, and dozens of famous Milwaukee groups.
Dangerous Folk
Dangerous Folk is Julie Thompson, Cap Lee and David HB Drake, carrying on the tradition of folk music once considered powerful enough to change people’s minds. A half-century later, this music has become part of the fabric of America and our national identity, and is still dangerous! These anthems from the days of "make love, not war" still resonate today. This concert marks the trio's 20th season - their first concert was at The Coffee House in April 2003 http://www.davidhbdrake.com/df/index.htm
Past Shows
Archive
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May 2024
3
- May 18, 2024 Lewin & Chan May 18, 2024
- May 11, 2024 Portage Road Songwriters Guild May 11, 2024
- May 4, 2024 Casa Kemnitz Jam for Casa Maria May 4, 2024
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April 2024
3
- Apr 20, 2024 Earth Poets and Musicians Earthstravaganza Apr 20, 2024
- Apr 13, 2024 Community Sing Apr 13, 2024
- Apr 6, 2024 Ben Mulwana with opener Mie Apr 6, 2024
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March 2024
3
- Mar 16, 2024 Green Sails with Tom Martinsen Mar 16, 2024
- Mar 9, 2024 Celebrating John King Mar 9, 2024
- Mar 2, 2024 Peace Benefit Mar 2, 2024
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February 2024
3
- Feb 24, 2024 The String Along Band Feb 24, 2024
- Feb 17, 2024 Kitchin & Granzow and Eccentric Acoustic Feb 17, 2024
- Feb 3, 2024 Coffee House Friends Gathering and Jam Feb 3, 2024
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January 2024
3
- Jan 27, 2024 Memorial Show Jan 27, 2024
- Jan 20, 2024 PK Harmony and Jerry & Maya Danks Jan 20, 2024
- Jan 6, 2024 The Frozen Four Jan 6, 2024
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December 2023
2
- Dec 16, 2023 Naughty or Nice Benefit Dec 16, 2023
- Dec 2, 2023 carisa with opener Jennifer Hedstrom Dec 2, 2023
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November 2023
3
- Nov 18, 2023 Fox & Branch Nov 18, 2023
- Nov 11, 2023 Tom & Barb Webber Nov 11, 2023
- Nov 4, 2023 Patty & Craig Nov 4, 2023
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October 2023
3
- Oct 28, 2023 Frogwater Oct 28, 2023
- Oct 21, 2023 Bill Camplin Oct 21, 2023
- Oct 7, 2023 Songwriters Round Robin Oct 7, 2023
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September 2023
3
- Sep 30, 2023 An Evening of Poets - Anderson, Cárdenas and Murtaugh Sep 30, 2023
- Sep 23, 2023 John Stano with Jorge Vallentine opening Sep 23, 2023
- Sep 9, 2023 Lil Rev Sep 9, 2023
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May 2023
3
- May 20, 2023 Mike Ward & Wes Collins May 20, 2023
- May 13, 2023 Portage Road Songwriters Guild May 13, 2023
- May 6, 2023 The Casa Kemnitz Jam for Casa Maria May 6, 2023
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April 2023
4
- Apr 29, 2023 Community Sing Apr 29, 2023
- Apr 22, 2023 Earth Poets Apr 22, 2023
- Apr 15, 2023 Lil Rev / Peggy James with Jim Eannelli Apr 15, 2023
- Apr 1, 2023 Dangerous Folk Apr 1, 2023
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March 2023
3
- Mar 18, 2023 Green Sails and Brian Drow Mar 18, 2023
- Mar 11, 2023 The Boston Imposters Mar 11, 2023
- Mar 4, 2023 The Coffee House Legacy/Benefit Mar 4, 2023
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February 2023
3
- Feb 18, 2023 Gaines and Wagoner Feb 18, 2023
- Feb 11, 2023 Memorial Show Feb 11, 2023
- Feb 4, 2023 Alyssia Dominguez Feb 4, 2023
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January 2023
3
- Jan 21, 2023 John Stano Jan 21, 2023
- Jan 14, 2023 Coffee House friends gathering & Open Jam Jan 14, 2023
- Jan 7, 2023 Bird & Bloom Jan 7, 2023
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December 2022
2
- Dec 17, 2022 5pm to Nowhere, Venturer, and Oh Geeez Dec 17, 2022
- Dec 3, 2022 Musicians Who Paint Dec 3, 2022
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November 2022
2
- Nov 12, 2022 Tom & Barb Webber Nov 12, 2022
- Nov 5, 2022 Steve Smith & Linda Binder Nov 5, 2022
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October 2022
4
- Oct 22, 2022 Coffee House friends gathering & Open Jam Oct 22, 2022
- Oct 22, 2022 Finger-picking Workshop Oct 22, 2022
- Oct 15, 2022 Party Marty Oct 15, 2022
- Oct 1, 2022 Jonas Friddle Oct 1, 2022
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September 2022
3
- Sep 24, 2022 Anne Heaton Sep 24, 2022
- Sep 17, 2022 Hallowtribe and Jorge Vallentine Sep 17, 2022
- Sep 10, 2022 Coffee House friends Gathering & Open Jam Sep 10, 2022
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August 2022
1
- Aug 7, 2022 The Coffee House Picnic Aug 7, 2022
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May 2022
2
- May 14, 2022 Annie Sumi May 14, 2022
- May 7, 2022 Gary Kitchin and the Dirty Dishes May 7, 2022
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April 2022
3
- Apr 30, 2022 Portage Road Songwriters Guild Apr 30, 2022
- Apr 16, 2022 The 35th annual Earth Poets Musicians Earthstravaganza benefit for the Indian Prairie Project via the Milwaukee Audubon Society. Apr 16, 2022
- Apr 2, 2022 Eccentric Acoustic Apr 2, 2022
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March 2022
2
- Mar 26, 2022 Benefit for The Coffee House Mar 26, 2022
- Mar 5, 2022 The Coffee House "Community Sing" Mar 5, 2022
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February 2022
2
- Feb 26, 2022 Ben Mulwana Feb 26, 2022
- Feb 5, 2022 Rick Fitzgerald Feb 5, 2022
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January 2022
3
- Jan 22, 2022 Craig Siemsen Jan 22, 2022
- Jan 15, 2022 The Boston Imposters Jan 15, 2022
- Jan 8, 2022 Artists Who Recently Passed Jan 8, 2022
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December 2021
2
- Dec 18, 2021 5PM To Nowhere/Oh Geeez/RAF Dec 18, 2021
- Dec 4, 2021 The Coffee House Songwriter Round Robin Dec 4, 2021
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November 2021
2
- Nov 13, 2021 Tom West Nov 13, 2021
- Nov 6, 2021 Rachael Kilgour Nov 6, 2021
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October 2021
2
- Oct 23, 2021 Curtis and Loretta Oct 23, 2021
- Oct 9, 2021 Bill Camplin Oct 9, 2021
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September 2021
3
- Sep 25, 2021 Mike Ward Sep 25, 2021
- Sep 18, 2021 David Stoddard Sep 18, 2021
- Sep 11, 2021 Andy Cohen - John Stano-opening Sep 11, 2021
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July 2021
1
- Jul 18, 2021 Coffee House Picnic Jul 18, 2021
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June 2021
1
- Jun 12, 2021 Portage Road Singer-Songwriter Guild Jun 12, 2021
-
May 2021
2
- May 22, 2021 Monte Pride May 22, 2021
- May 15, 2021 MMCM May 15th May 15, 2021
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April 2021
2
- Apr 24, 2021 John Stano April 24th Apr 24, 2021
- Apr 10, 2021 Eccentric Acoustic Apr 10, 2021
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March 2021
2
- Mar 27, 2021 Olivia Ports Mar 27, 2021
- Mar 13, 2021 Fair Webber Mar 13, 2021
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February 2021
3
- Feb 27, 2021 Community Sing Feb 27, 2021
- Feb 20, 2021 Jean Dean and Mark Mantel Feb 20, 2021
- Feb 6, 2021 Memorial Concert Feb 6, 2021
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January 2021
2
- Jan 23, 2021 Ashley & Simpson Jan 23, 2021
- Jan 16, 2021 Anne Heaton Jan 16, 2021
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December 2020
3
- Dec 31, 2020 New Year's Eve Party Dec 31, 2020
- Dec 19, 2020 Coffee House Volunteers Dec 19, 2020
- Dec 5, 2020 Andy Jehly & Paul Smith Dec 5, 2020
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November 2020
3
- Nov 21, 2020 February Sky Nov 21, 2020
- Nov 14, 2020 Gaines and Wagoner Nov 14, 2020
- Nov 14, 2020 Tim Finnegan (opener) Nov 14, 2020
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October 2020
2
- Oct 24, 2020 Chris Straw Oct 24, 2020
- Oct 10, 2020 David Noll Oct 10, 2020
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September 2020
1
- Sep 26, 2020 Sue Fink Sep 26, 2020