When big change happens and energy frees itself up, creative juice flows. Along with discombobulation comes stretching the emotional container and a sense of newness and opportunity.

After a nourishing, fun and beautiful weekend at Hollerfest music festival at the Frog Holler Farm in August, I came home thinking a lot about the gorgeous cabin at the farm, and the sweetness of enjoying awesome music in such an intimate, simple space. I also thought about how to create a small, intimate and welcoming music venue in my home through out the year. Kind of like a music house party, but with a bigger space, and as a way to support and promote local musicians and local food.

Thanks to Robert Marshall from Hamlet Construction, Chad Pratt of Chad Pratt Painting, and my son Nevon Clark for all their help upgrading my basement yoga studio to make it into a venue for music. With their support I was ready to open the space to our community’s amazing musicians. Thanks also to chef and friend Dan Vernia, Tilian Farm Development Center and the Washtenaw Food Hub for letting us borrow their chairs, and to FSEP Selma Cafe’s current fiscal partner.

Last night’s line up included Billy, Kenny and Cathy King whom I was first inspired by to move froward with this idea, and whose music I adore, the beautiful and talented singer songwriter Rachel Chadderdon Bair, Helen Harding and Kyle Rhodes from Wire in the Wood offering a wonderful selection of old time tunes, and Abigail Alwin and Douglas Lane Allen and their band bringing it all home with an eclectic mix of Eastern European edgy grooves and some hip hop for good measure. Deep heartfelt thanks to the musicians for volunteering their time and sweet tunes, and volunteers Susie Baity, Benjamin Strutin and Michelle and Patrick Fortin for all their support with last night’s logistics.

We had a full house, with a few more than 50 guests enjoying the show. I’m very excited about keeping this going, so please let me know of musicians who are looking for venues to share their music. The event raised a little over $500 that goes directly to pay for Selma Cafe’s costs of becoming our very own formal non profit 501c3.

In addition to musical events, my friend and yoga teacher Tanya Thunberg and I are planning some Sunday morning y0ga classes with live music and lunch afterwards, so look for info about our yoga events in the space soon.

Very grateful here,

~Lisa