Friday 10/16 @ 8pm
Gayle Cloud is a local, award-winning singer/songwriter. Working with a mélange of genres and international influences, Gayle’s lush melodies, sensual “world” rhythms and rich vocals create a fresh sound with an emotional appeal. Gayle debuted as a performing artist in Paris where she attracted a devoted audience over the five years she lived in Europe. She then moved to New York for several years where she played with some of city’s finest musicians. She returned to her beautiful hometown of Seattle a couple of years ago where she continues to perform and create music.
Gayle just returned from NYC, where she is nearing completion on her second CD of original work. She is delighted to play at the 15th Ave Coffee and Tea, which is a wonderful intimate venue. Playing some of the tunes from her upcoming and previous CD, she will be on keys and joined by Steve Stoudt on percussion.
http://www.gaylecloud.com/
Sat 10/17 @8pm
“Jon has a keen sense of timing, lyrical timing that is, able to turn
phrases and paint verbal pictures in a way that will open the
listeners eyes to his perspective on things. He has spent many years
and many miles playing in coffee shops and venues around the country, all the while taking with him his ability to tell stories and craft intimate and honest songs. He has been likened to Ryan Adams, James Taylor and Will Ferrell (not so much for his music, more so for his personality and hair).
A captivating storyteller while singing, and well, telling stories
between and behind the songs, you will surely be enteratined for the hour or so that he performs. And with an upcoming debut solo release, you can be sure he will have new songs, as well as some old favorites.”
You can here some of those old favorites here…
www.myspace.com/jonwilliamjohnson
Hope to see you all there!
Sun 10/18 @ 8pm
Wood and Brass- Jazz standards. Trumpet and Upright Base. Duke Ellington songs.
Friday & Saturday October 9th & 10th, 2009. 8:00pm
Brother/Sister: Mark Holt & Kimberlee Holt Tully have taken their brand of Blues, Jazz & Americana Roots music too Starbucks Coffee Company Stores in Sun Valley, Idaho & Yakima, Washington. Mark & Kimberlee taped “Northwest Today” an NBC Television Affiliate Morning Live Remote at Starbucks Union Gap, Washington store in December of 2008.
Mark & Kimberlee are happy too announce they will have the opportunity to bring their sounds too Starbucks new’ 15th Avenue Coffee & Tea on Capital Hill in Seattle, Washington.
I asked Major to recap an opportunity he had to cup with several great local roasters. Here is his recap and a link to the final article…
I was thrilled to be included! About a month ago I got a call from Melissa and I talked about one of our goals for 15th ave and Roy street. Quite simply put—that we hoped that the perception of some folks that we are not real coffee people at Starbucks could be changed. I had a chance to bring one of my favorite coffees, Sumatra. As we had just received a batch of fresh roasted Aged Sumatra I took some of that along as well. We had both on the table alongside some great coffees brought by the others there. We did not ever get into ‘better or worse’. In fact it was a very cool, albeit brief, chance to talk coffee, taste great coffees and share stories.
I really enjoyed meeting the guys who founded Atlas and seeing their great space was amazing. Their cupping tables made from bowling alleys were fantastic! Jeff from Zoka has always been someone I have admired and a chance to chat a bit with him was also a treat. I had heard him speak at an SCAA panel presentation but never met him in person.
I hope that we get a chance to see everyone who was there on that Friday again both at 15th ave, Roy Street and at their places.
Here are two links to Melissa’s article.
http://bit.ly/n9Ccq
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/flatpages/businesstechnology/coffee.html
Here on the hill life can be a little rough!
Sometimes when you walk outside you get your paws wet. When you wear genuine fur it’s easy to get mud spots.
If it rains too hard all the smells get muddled and its really hard to check your pee-mails.
This is Alexander who worked night and day for the past several months to become 15th Ave’s Pooch of the Month. His regime was incredibly strict. No treats or bully sticks after 7pm, he would walk his owner at least an hour every day, and most important of all were the six hour naps. What dedication!
Sometimes in a trendy Seattle neighborhood you have to step up to the challenge and be willing to strut your stuff in a Euro style photo shoot.
Bending all the rules and doing your own thing are critical. Sometimes it requires getting over some large hurdles like being the first dog on a catwalk.
With so much pressure to succeed you need to take some time for yourself. Being an A-list dog, you still have to expect the Puppy-ratzi to show up at any moment to interrupt a good nap. After all, it’s a dog’s life.
Once you have truly gained the fame that you know you have deserved all along, it’s important to use your new found freedom to take your pack for trips. The PNW gives you great options, from beachcombing to skiing, enjoy it, you’ve earned it!
IADL
Live Music this week Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here is a list… Come Join Us!
Friday Oct. 2nd. Returning Favorite Tamara Lewis. If you have not seen her yet you are missing out! We are so proud to bring her soulful singer/songwriter performance to our store. You will be inspired as you listen to her perform.
http://www.tlewismusic.com/
Saturday Oct. 3rd join Ed Zincavage for a great night here @ 15th Ave. His music is Finger picking, Folk, Blues, with Slide Guitar and Harmonica.
http://www.edwardzincavage.com/home
Sunday Oct. 4th Local artist Ben Eksted will bring his acoustic/soul music to our store for the enjoyment of all
. We can’t wait to hear it!
http://www.myspace.com/benekstedt
What an insanely busy week! We had guests from all over the world swing by our store to check out what we are doing. THANKS FOR ALL THE POSTIVE COMMENTS! It was a pleasure to have so many highly knowledgeable coffee professionals come through and give us so much positive feedback. It really reinforces what we are trying to accomplish here and that we are headed down the right path.
To start the week off we were able to welcome the Stumptown Coffee roasters from NY, Seattle and Portland. Awesome group of guys, totally passionate about what they do. They have done so much for the Coffee Community with creating awareness and sourcing great coffee.
After that Velton Ross from Velton’s Coffee Roasting came in to share in our cupping. He brought three of his own to cup with ours. WOW! Amazing coffee! His Bonsai Blend with 50% natural process Mexican was my favorite! Our cupping table had at least 20 guests around it that day, it was awesome.
Eric and Dan from Slayer Espresso stopped in again and purchased a half pound of our Puerto Rico to put on their machine. I can’t wait to get feedback!
The owner of The Hub in Reno and some of his baristas stepped in and we let them play with the clover as they don’t have one yet. Great Baristas!
We hung out in the La Marzocco booth with Joe talking about our new Machine. Soon it will land in 15th Ave bringing our technology into this Century with PID controls and a regulated pre-infusion. Joe always astounds me with how long he has been in the business and how much he knows, thanks for everything!
After that we swung by the Synesso booth to visit my ‘other baby’. Their three group that they had on the floor will be going into my Roy Street store with two beautiful Anfim grinders for both the Espresso and Single Origin. I am so excited to have a Synesso with the ability to have set pre-infusion times. Thanks Mark and Team!
Another contact that I made at the show was Oliver Stormshak from Olympia Coffee Roasting. Hands down it was the best shot of espresso that I had at Coffee Fest! The orange flavors that were in his single origin were surprisingly sweet and balanced. Check him out @ http://www.olympiacoffeeroasting.com/. Thanks for the amazing shot!
Lastly we were visited today by Deming Maclise owner of Cafe Fiore. He was so into what we are doing here and we had a great time showing him around. He was a huge fan of the Pu-erh Fusion. (See my previous blog for pics and explanation)
There were too many great guests to get through them all. Thanks to everyone who has been so welcoming as we step into the local coffee community. Keep watching as we open up our Roy St. Store!
My first Cappuccino in Italy was life altering. We were in a back alley in Venice, off of one of the thousand canals that run through the city. We found a tiny cafe with a polished espresso machine. I wasn’t even sure what I ordered because my Italian was so bad and we were so far off the tourist path that no one spoke English. Mixing fluent Spanish with a hodge-podge of Italian words at least guaranteed my recieving coffee in some form. In the crisp morning air I sipped from the small cup I had been handed and various angels and saints broke out in song as I tasted my first traditional cappuccino (ok, so that is the part of the story I embellished). The next day I tried 
to repeat the experience and find that cafe again. We walked around for two days straight, trying unsuccessfully to find that same cafe… in that same alley… next to the same canal.
There is nothing to describe a good cappuccino that will do it justice, you just have to taste it. Many things are called a cappuccino, but a traditional cappuccino is only 6oz and served in a porcelain cup.
The Cappuccinno below was poured by Jared at 15th Ave with Northwestern flair. He used a single origin bean from Puerto Rico to craft this beverage which comes through the milk with very bright flavor and color. 
When you get a chance come in and try one, whichever coffee option you choose it will satisfy your thirst for travel and adventure. If you have never been to Italy before, you may just start planning your trip as you sit and sip your Cappuccino.
Mi piacerebbe visitare l’Italia un giorno di questi!
Jacob
I just had to share my favorite tea.
Our full leaf Oolong Ti-Kwan-Yin tastes just as rich as it’s history in ancient China. It’s name is Iron Goddess of Mercy in English.
The story that has been preserved for years is that of a poor tea merchant in South East China who would pass the shrine for Kwan Yin every day. He was always very respectful and would clean and repair it.
One night the goddess of mercy came in a dream and told him to go to another shrine in a cave. In the cave he would find a remarkable tea plant that he must cultivate and always share with others.
He did as he was told and propogated the new tea plant, always sure to share it with others as it had been shared with him. It became the best known Oolong in the world and the merchant prospered.
Today this world renowned tea is 40% oxidized and wound tightly for preservation. As it awakens it magically unfurls and steeps into a wonderful tea with hints of honey and peach. Each time you re-steep it the flavors and colors evolve, making it possible for you to sit in our lobby with a friend and enjoy several pots from the same leaves. That way you can share it just as the merchant did with the world.
Be Merciful! 
Jacob
FYI- The picture is from our collection of antiquities at 15th ave.
Here is a list of upcoming performances…
9/18 Rythem Mystic 8pm. Peter and Michelle bring their mix of R&B, world music and Jazz to 15th.
9/24 Synergy 8pm-11pm. Jazz Trio not to be missed!
9/25 Tamara Lewis 8pm-10pm. Returning guest and customer favorite, soulful singer songwriter.
9/26 C3 8pm. Back for an encore performance! A blend of folk, rock & pop music that becomes all their own.
Thanks, we’ll see you then!
Jacob
Just to let you all know we are changing our cupping time from 10am to 11am starting Monday 9/21. All are invited, please feel free to bring any coffee you would like us to cup alongside ours. If you want to do teas instead please call ahead and let us know.
Thanks!
Jacob
