My love of folk music started in the late 1950’s and gave way to jazz in the 1970’s. On leaving New York City for California, I discovered that I enjoyed so many genres of live music that they were impossible to list. When retirement came, I moved to Tannersville, NY, which provided at least two of my passions: skiing and hiking. Alas, live jazz was not easy to find. Hip hop and the like for the twenty-and-thirty-something’s was as plentiful as coffee grinds, but not my cup of latte. A friend steered me to First Friday in Phoenicia, as well as the Pickers Circle at the Railroad Museum. There I discovered that the Catskills were a hot bed of modern folk music, sprouting original singer song writers by the dozen. A side benefit was that these events were frequented by an over 40 crowd, so friends were made.

Alas, gifted musicians, original works, talented voices were not enough to make my night. Endless lost love songs, and teenage angst soon became tiresome, no matter how superb the performer. I found myself gravitating to those performers who were energetic, could project love and goodwill, and were optimistic about our world without downplaying its problems. The downside was traveling to Phoenicia, Pine Hill, and Kingston. “Wouldn’t it be great,” I said to myself, “if there was a local venue for the music I have come to love?”

Thus the idea for the Upbeat Café was born. I discussed my idea with Carolyn Bennett, Director of the Village Square Bookstore & Literary Center, who introduced me to Peter Barker, Executive Director of the Catskill Mountain Foundation (map), and Michael Cotrone, the CMF’s chef extraordinaire. If CMF was to be open at night, it was Michael who would open and close. As it turned out, Michael, in addition to his many other prodigious talents, such as farming and painting, was also a musician, jumped at the idea. On the spot, he said it would be a pizza night. Thus with ducks in a row I met with Peter who agreed that at 7:00 pm on the third Friday of each month, the Catskill Mountain Foundation (map) would host the Upbeat Café, between the CMF Art Gallery and the CMF bookstore. My job was to book the talent.

I named it the Upbeat Café because the performers would be those who left their audience feeling good about life. I have only to turn on the news to be depressed; I don’t want my entertainment to do that, too. There may be the occasional lost love song, but more often feet will be tapping, hands will be clapping and hearts will be smiling.

This month’s Upbeat Café will feature singer/songwriter Pat Lamanna. Join us at Hunter Village Square (map) on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 pm for a wonderful evening of music, food, and friends.