For decades, Milwaukee has supported the arts and the beauty of other cultures found around the world; renowned festivals fill the calendar providing numerous opportunities for the community to get involved with the arts. On Saturday March 15, English professor and poet Jean Dean and singer-songwriter Amanda Suckow took the Coffee House stage with high quality, artistic ability.
The Coffee House, 631 N. 19th St., was established in 1967 and has provided the stage for numerous artists gifted in various forms for nearly five decades.
Suckow took the stage to perform her original songs with pure harmonious rhythm, strumming her steel string guitar with finesse and poise, and singing with a graceful voice. Suckow graduated from Central Michigan University and is currently teaching her first semester of Music Appreciation at MATC.
“It’s great that the Coffee House is welcoming of original acts. They’ve welcomed me to perform solo here for the past couple of years,” said Suckow.
“The Coffee House is volunteer driven. We reach out to people by word of mouth and posting on campuses around town. We operate nine months out of the year for people to come and perform. We’ve seen different acts over the years including magicians, poets and numerous talented musicians,” said Joe Holland. The venue is managed by Holland and a handful of his colleagues. The Coffee House deeply relies on volunteer support from the community, including college students.
A colorful patchwork quilt, orange and red hues bursting from the stage lights, and the large, open auditorium enhance the lyrical quality coming from the amplifiers that creates the perfect setting for the talented performers.
After Suckow’s act, Dean delivered a passionate and intellectual show of her original works and some of her favorite soulful pieces from William Butler Yeats. Dean’s voice enriches the imagery found within the works; her ability to flow through ballads and sonnets consumed the crowd, drawing gasps and awes throughout the entire performance.
Dean has performed at the Coffee House for the last three years and is fanatically welcomed by all who attend her shows. “I’ve known the staff here at the Coffee House a long time. They are all good to me and welcome me back,” says Dean.
Audience member Sheila Dee said, “This is my first time coming to the Coffee House for the shows and I’d like to come back to see more. Amanda put on a nice show and it was great to see Jean. I loved watching them perform.”
The Coffee House is located on the corner of 19th St. and Wisconsin Ave. in the second floor auditorium of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The Coffee House has good coffee and provides bottomless cups to students with a valid ID. A $5 cover is recommended to help support the venue and area food pantry projects. More information on booking and events can be found at www.the-coffee-house.com.