Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse

06/28/2024

Hello Folks,
On behalf of Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse and myself we wish Martin's Music Cafe at the King of Glory Lutheran Church well for their inaugural concert tonight, June 28, and for their continued success.
Our whole folk community is mourning the loss of Tom Prasada Rao. He touched so many lives through his songs (and will continue to do so) and spirit and encouragement and love for everyone in the songwriter community. He was a blessing to us all. His last concert at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse was on November 8th, 2019, with Julie Bonk and Dirje Childs. Richard Williams' brilliant recording of that concert is available on YouTube.
Uncle Calvin's still exists. We did not close our doors. Our only official announcements of future concerts or closing or activity will come from me or our NorthPark Presbyterian Church staff person Rev Nicole Bates. All our sound and equipment and fixtures are still there. The room is still there. We've had Covid, a church shutdown, changes in church staff and congregation, and various health or family issues with me and our volunteers. Calvin's is entirely supported and "owned" by NorthPark Church. Restarting, having one or several shows, involves coordinating with the church and committees. We have music licensing details to resolve, recruiting volunteers, paying licensing fees, before we have another show. I am currently working on the church and licensing issues. I will keep you all updated.
In the meantime...enjoy our local and traveling songwriters and musicians and enjoy new venues like Martin's (Luther) Cafe and mature" venues like Poor David's"
Regards
Ed Gunsalus, Manager (volunteer since 1984)
Uncle "John" Calvin's Coffeehouse

01/25/2024

Melanie at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse November 20, 2015. I'm gathering more photos and a video to post. Rest in peace, dear one.

01/25/2024

Sad news. Melanie (Safka) passed away on January 23rd, 2024. She performed at Uncle Calvin's in November of 2015. A memorable concert that attracted folks from all over the country. She performed at Woodstock in 1969 at just 21 years old. Over 30 albums, known for Brand New Key, Candles in the Rain/Laydown, her cover of Ruby Tuesday, Beautiful People, many other songs.
https://variety.com/2024/music/obituaries-people-news/melanie-dead-brand-new-key-singer-woodstock-1235886892/?fbclid=IwAR3sMQ4HTdhZnZwu7jCR8XcbcMooYB5_k4IKX6SQfj22yLpou0ALJAaYBjg

Melanie, the singer who performed at Woodstock and had pop hits with 'Brand New Key' and 'Lay Down,' has died at age 76.

11/10/2022

Hey folks, Bernice Lewis is in town, she first played Calvin's in 1988. 16 times on our stage. She'll be playing a house concert north Dallas area, Nov 20, reservation link is here:

What a privilege to have the opportunity to enjoy nationally-acclaimed artist, Bernice Lewis, in a house concert setting. Join Us!

10/17/2022

This Friday, Eric Folkerth hosting, in Kessler Park

03/31/2022

Some pictures from an anniversary show years ago with Lu Mitchell, Wayne Greene and Drake Rogers. I don't know who the photographer was.

01/08/2021

The founder of Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse (originally called Uncle Calvin's 2nd Rate Coffee Emporium), the Reverend Trey Hammond, will retire from his present church in Albuquerque, NM on January 17th at 3pm CST. There will be an on line celebration/remembrance for Trey. The website is https://www.lamesapresabq.org/ RSVP on that page

01/04/2021

A memory from years ago.....Happy New Year everyone! With Emilie Aronson and Bill Nash

Emilie Aronson and one of her best songs "Only a Dream", live from Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse in Dallas, TX from back in the 1990s... Bill Nash singing harmony.

12/13/2020

John Cook, a long time patron and volunteer on our booking committee, passed away on December 5th. I wanted to share what Grace Pettis posted (below). John was devoted to promoting and affirming and encouraging many talented and creative songwriters that come our way and that try to make a living with their music and art. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kathy and his sons and family and his many friends. John left us with his goodbye through this well crafted and thought out video. John is, and will be, missed. From Grace Pettis: "... I wanted to share this incredible tribute, featuring beautiful songs and words of wisdom from my friend John M. Cook. John, you were one of a kind. Thank you for the love and joy you so generously gave to all of us. I miss you "

This is my (very long) goodbye to the amazing folks who have graced my life.

11/16/2020

Hello folks, the anniversary of the last concert Uncle Calvin's hosted with Tom Prasada Rao, Julie Bonk and Dirje Childs, just passed on November 8th. Due to the virus and pandemic the church building we are in has been closed to all public meetings, so we're experiencing this indefinite hold on shows and the coffeehouse. Hopefully with new medications and a vaccine in 2021, we'll be able to evaluate where we are and when re-opening might be a possibility. If you missed that show on November 8, 2019, Richard Williamson did some amazing video work of the whole evening, that's available on Youtube. Hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Ed

09/11/2020

Hi folks, it's the virtual edition of the Big Barn Dance happening this weekend. Lots of folks that have appeared on our stage at Calvin's, thought I'd share this with you all.

Who's ready for another night of incredible music? Big Barn Dance will be streaming again tonight at 6pm CT / 5pm MT. You don't want to miss it! We have an awesome lineup of music tonight including: Beat Root Revival, Susan Gibson, Red Dirt Rangers, Robbie Fulks, musician, Trout Fishing in America - ofFISHal page, Shinyribs, Michael Martin Murphey, Wood and Wire Tony Kamel, John Fullbright, Kimmie Rhodes and Terri Hendrix.

Plus, we'll be visiting the Wilder Nightingale Fine Art Gallery and the Michael McCormick and Sons Gallery during our Art Walk segments this evening. You'll get to see stunning art pieces made by local artists and visit with the artists and gallery owners, all set to music of course!

How to watch:
Like and follow the Big Barn Dance page here: https://www.facebook.com/BigBarnDance
OR
Subscribe to the Big Barn Dance YouTube Page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJD7T1jKkraxaAhhGKeUG6Q

Visit either of these pages at the start time listed above to access the night's video.