Fremont has always had a great selection of live music venues, but few currently compare in the eclecticism of the acts – and the audience – to Gypsy Music Café. Ben Steele, who owns the café with his wife, Debbie Steele, compared his space to “hanging out in your friends’ basement.” The family-friendly, all ages venue does feel like a laid-back rec room, one with drinks and eats prepared by someone else, and some of the fellow guests have talent.
Guests like those hanging out on Friday, May 27th, for the monthly ‘Who Shot J.R.?’ comedy show, organized by J.R. Berard. Or on Saturday, May 28th, starting at 8p, when the bands Blvd Park, Gravedigger and Drew Piston drop-by for the Folklife after-party.
Each month the space also accommodates a bluegrass jam session (Gypsy Jamboreeno,) square dancing, open mic nights with Linda Lee, Cajun night, Americana night, indie rock from the Wandering Infinity Collective, and free music workshops organized by Peter Tilson.
The Steeles originally took over the Gypsy(formerly Gypsy Java and, before that, Gypsy Trader) in March 2009. About six months later, they introduced live music. “We try to encourage pass-the-hat,” he said of the shows, many of which have no cover. When asked for, the cover charge goes 100% to the artists. Most significant, to Steele, the venue can welcome kids, and their families.
Paisley Gray, of the bluegrass band Pickled Okra, books most of the musical performers at the Gypsy. “I really love this place,” she explained, “I have a vision of this being a musical mecca for acoustic music.” She heard about originally in a CraigsList ad placed by Steele. When she first saw it, she described her reaction as, “What a freakin’ awesome place to do a bluegrass jam!” Her popular monthly jam session, called Gypsy Jamboreeno, takes place on the second Friday of each month.
“We’re looking to support artists of all kinds,” explained Steele, “to fill the gaps that the other venues don’t…” For Randles and Steele, they would welcome gatherings of a variety of shapes and stripes to the calendar (available on-line,) including meetings, birthday parties, or social groups for playing board games. Randles knows of a magic club considering the space. (Anyone interested in using the space can contact him by e-mail.) The café also displays works by painters and photographers. “We’d like to see people that have ambition and drive,” explained Randles, “ones able to promote themselves.”
In addition to the professional, Gray has successfully seen shows staged by students from Ballard and Hamilton International Middle School. Touring with Pickled Okra, and attending music festivals, introduces her to quality acts, and allows her to spread the word about the venue. “I’m trying to recruit people that match the atmosphere,” Gray explained, “so far it’s been very organic.”
“The acoustics are excellent for live music,” Gray explained, and the intimate space appeals to many up-and-coming performers. “We want to be a place where you are going to see a band, not knowing who they are,” explained Randals. He wants neighbors to feel comfortable stopping by, to have a bite and discover something new. “We want to have a fun space for people to enjoy,” Steele stated, “a comfortable place to go that’s not a bar.”
Most importantly of all, for the Steeles, will be that neighbors come and buy a meal or a drink, while enjoying the entertainment. Ultimately, the Gypsy Music Café serves food – breakfast, lunch and dinner – as well as coffee (and, in my opinion, absolutely yummy Chai tea) plus beer and wine. They have even expanded the food menu for special shows. On the popular Americana Night (also the 2nd Friday of each month,) they buy wholesale from nearby RoRo BBQ.
Steele acknowledge that the best shows, the ones he would like to see more of, are those where audiences buy food and drinks. “I don’t want to go out of business,” admitted Steele. With good food, at reasonable prices, and free wi-fi, he hopes to see the café become a home away from home – a public living room – for lovers of great entertainment, and a casual atmosphere.
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