The Western Connecticut State University Midtown Coffeehouse returns for the spring semester, bringing past favorites and all-new entertainment for its weekly Thursday night lineup. The spring semester performances will run the gamut from open mic sessions to jazz to up-and-coming artists, and more.
The Coffeehouse takes place every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Colonial Corner of the Student Center on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Students and the public are welcome to take a break, have a snack, and enjoy local and regional talent. Free for everyone, donations are accepted to help sustain the Coffeehouse.
Each coffeehouse opens with an hour-long open mic that allows students, faculty and staff to perform. Student music organizations, solo performers, bands and more follow the open-mic performances.
The Best Darn Jazz Club in Danbury (BDJC) returns in February as well with monthly performances. The BDJC events are from 8 to 10 p.m. on Fridays: Feb. 7, March 6 and April 17, also in the Colonial Corner in the Midtown Student Center. Members of the WCSU community and the public are invited to enjoy an evening of music in a jazz club atmosphere. This event is free, with donations accepted. Free snacks are available, and a cash bar is open for attendees 21 and over. Tickets for this event are available here, but a ticket is not required to attend.
Upcoming Coffeehouse and BDJC dates are:
Feb. 6 WCSU Student Jazz Ensemble – WCSU students, many of whom are music majors, exhibit their sectional and improvisational skills in this small group performance featuring Malin Carta on alto saxophone, Matt Schmidt on baritone saxophone, Victor Ramirez on bass, Jesse Parker on drums and Bentley Lewis on guitar
Feb. 7 Best Darn Jazz Club featuring Bentley Lewis Quartet and Malin Carta Quintet – Bentley Lewis Quartet features Malin Carta on saxophone, Niles Spaulding on bass, Ryan Hamme on drums and Bentley Lewis on guitar. Malin Carta Quintet features Elisee Ngbo on piano, Larry Davis on drums, Niles Spaulding on bass, Dina DiMarco on vocals and Malin Carta on saxophone
Feb. 20 WCSU a cappella group Play It By Ear
Feb. 27 All Night Open Mic
March 5 Center Stage – performance by WCSU’s award-winning student theatre organization
March 6 Best Darn Jazz Club – performer TBD
March 12 All Night Open Mic
March 19 Spring Break – no Coffeehouse
March 26 Jerome Goosman – Wilton-based singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist
April 2 Touré Richardson –WCSU alumnus returns to the Coffeehouse with his unique voice and upbeat songs
April 9 All Night Open Mic
April 16 Bahama Mama and the Painkillers – Connecticut’s premiere beach trop rock band performs both covers and original songs
April 17 Best Darn Jazz Club – performer TBD
April 23 Speak Easy Live sponsored by WCSU Program Activities Council
April 30 Natalie Gelman – NYC performer brings timeless, contemporary voice back to the WCSU Coffeehouse stage
May 7 All Night Open Mic
For more information, contact the Division of Student Affairs at (203) 837-9700 or diazv@wcsu.edu.