Andrew Belle is a new artist on the pop singer/songwriter scene. Residing in both Chicago and Nashville, he is currently a member of the critically acclaimed national tour Ten Out Of Tenn. Andrew released his debut EP All Those Pretty Lights in 2008, containing songs featured in hit TV shows including "90210" and "The Real World." His song "I'll Be Your Breeze" garnered nationwide airplay including Los Angeles tastemaker station KCRW. Andrew recently was named "Best Breakout Artist, Chicago" by MTV. His music and vocal stylings draw comparisons to Coldplay, The Fray, and John Mayer. Fans and critics often refer to his songs as "smart pop" - nuanced melodies and contemplative lyrics coupled with bold, infectious hooks. Look out for his debut full-length album The Ladder, released in February 2010.

"Since I was a child, I've always been around music; taught to appreciate the art form but only at a reasonable distance. My parents never let me listen to the radio or any kind of secular music until I was well into High-school. Before that, in Junior high, I recall making mix tapes from local radio stations during the day, and then lying in bed at night listening to all the pop hits of that time through a small, plastic walkman that I had received a few Christmases earlier. Third Eye Blind, the Counting Crows, the Verve Pipe... these were the artists that first welcomed me into the world of meaningful pop-music. The first album that I ever bought for myself was the Counting Crow's 'August and Everything After' when I was a Sophomore in High-school. It had already been out for several years at that point, but I can still remember sneaking it up to my room and listening to it very softly out of the dusty sony boombox in my bedroom; pouring over every melody and marveling over the lyrical genious in Adam Duritz; thinking, 'maybe I can do this someday?'. Not that I think of myself now as important to music as Adam Duritz or the Counting Crows have been, nor do I even dare to compare myself to such talent, but thinking back on my earliest experiences with music, there is no doubt that those quiet moments spent alone in my bedroom shaped my desires and passions and gave me the hope to make my small mark on this world, one song at a time." show less

Patrick Sweany likes the spaces in between.

On a given night (or on a given album) he'll swing through blues, folk, soul, bluegrass, maybe some classic 50s rock, or a punk speedball. He's a musical omnivore, devouring every popular music sound of the last 70 years, and mixing 'em all together seamlessly into his own stew. Yet, the one thing that most people notice about Patrick isn't his ability to copy - it's his authenticity. Like his heroes, folks like Bobby "Blue" Bland, Eddie Hinton, Doug Sahm, Joe Tex, Patrick somehow manages to blend all of these influences into something all his own.

It's no wonder that as a kid he immersed himself in his dad's extensive record collection: 60s folk, vintage country, soul, and, of course, blues. Patrick spent hours teaching himself to fingerpick along to Leadbelly, Lightnin' Hopkins, and other folk-blues giants.

In his late teens, Patrick began playing the clubs and coffeehouses around Kent, OH. He quickly gained a reputation for the intricate country blues style he was developing: part Piedmont picking, part Delta slide - with an equally impressive deep, smooth vocal style.

It wasn't long before Pat drew the attention of other notables like Jimmy Thackery who was impressed enough to bring Pat on the road, and Roy Book Binder, who, after hearing Patrick's self-released debut CD I Wanna Tell You, arranged his first appearance at Merlefest in 2002. Book Binder also turned his longtime friend Jorma Kaukonen on to Patrick's music, landing Pat a perennial slot at the legendary Fur Peace Ranch alongside guitarists like GE Smith, Marjorie Thompson, Bill Kirchen and Bob Margolin.

But Pat wouldn't stay in the acoustic world for long. His love of 50s era soul and rock fused with the adrenaline-soaked garage punk revival happening throughout the Rust Belt pushed Pat to form a band.

After 3 critically acclaimed CDs (the last two produced by longtime collaborator Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys), Patrick has expanded his touring radius to 49 states and the UK. He's played premiere festivals all over the U.S., and supported national acts such as The Black Keys, The Gourds, The Wood Brothers, Sonny Landreth, Hot Tuna, and Paul Thorn on tour.

His latest record, That Old Southern Drag, hit the streets February 15, 2011. It was recorded to 2" tape in Nasheville, TN (Patrick's new home) and features contributions from Joe McMahan (Allsion Moorer, Webb Wilder, Mike Farris), Scott McEwan (Tarbox Ramblers), Tim Marks (Will Kimbrough, Taylor Swift), and Chris West (The Dynamites), among others. Southern Drag expands Patrick's roots music palette without losing his signature Deep Blues sound. show less

Joe Firstman bought an $18 cross-country Greyhound ticket from his home in North Carolina to Los Angeles, arriving with a beat-up guitar and head full of songs. He quickly found the big stage. It all happened quickly: first came the big Hollywood gigs, then the industry buzz, then the big deal with Atlantic Records and national tours with big rock stars like Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Willie Nelson. There was ego and excess and beautiful ladies and music, music, music. Firstman wrote it all down and sang his songs like his life depended on it.

"In the songs of Joe Firstman, sensitive young men prowl the hills of Los Angeles, searching for fame and beauty, only to find self-destructive behavior and egos gone wild..." wrote Jim Farber in the New York Daily News. "While Hollywood's peaks and pitfalls have been prominently charted by songwriters from Don Henley, Stevie Nicks and Jackson Browne to Warren Zevon, Firstman aims to reinvent the milieu for his own generation."

When the world stopped spinning, he'd landed a regular gig as the bandleader on the "Last Call with Carson Daly" show. For four years, this was his university - playing and writing songs in whatever style the show's musical guests played and learning how to engage a studio audience, day in and day out.

Firstman released his 7th studio album, "Swear It Was A Dream," on September 6, 2011. The album features 10 new songs written and recorded over the last year in studios in Charleston, SC, Mexico, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Of the album, Firstman shared, "You can really feel the year in the record, you can feel the whole journey in there and it’s my best piece. It's my best thing thus far."

The album's first single, "Who's Turning Your Light Out?" is Firstman's exploration of straightforward, unadulterated songwriting. "It was just a very personal lyric, but I tried to make it into a pop song that everybody would get. Its got lyrics about South Carolina and falling asleep with your head in your hands-I thought the imagery was relatable," says Firstman.

"Swear It Was A Dream" is the follow-up to Firstman's two 2010 releases, "El Porto," and "Live At The Treehouse," both released on Rock Ridge Music. In 2009, Firstman's full-time, four-year job as bandleader on "Last Call with Carson Daly" ended when Firstman shifted his focus to his independent musical pursuits. Prior, Firstman put out a full-length ("The War of Women") and an EP ("Wives Tales") on Atlantic, plus another full-length ("DrAma") and live EP ("Live at The Sandbox"), which were released independently.

As Firstman was wrapping up "Swear It Was A Dream" in Nashville, he formed a new band with longtime friends and collaborators Jaron Lowenstein, Toby Weaver, and John Lloyd, dubbed "Cordovas." Their debut, self-titled, album features all new songs written and produced by Firstman in his first efforts at writing for a full-band and three part harmonies. Additionally, Firstman is currently producing Lowenstein's forthcoming solo album.

On September 3, 2011, The Cordovas launched their first US Tour, featuring a solo Firstman as the supporting act. The Cordovas tour wraps November 15 in Yakima, WA and Firstman will immediately jump into his tour with Zach Myers (Shinedown, The Farewell.) Firstman usually spends over 200 days touring per year and has shared the stage with such acts as Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Willie Nelson. show less

ElectroBelly Dance Troupe is a collective of bellydancers, electronic music DJs and various styles of entertainers in the world and electronica genres, directed by Amethyst. ElectroBelly rocks a modern twist on an ancient style of dance and music, blending the artform's Middle Eastern roots with modern elements of the electronic music world.

Aug. 2, ElectroBelly will be represented by bellydancers Amethyst and Husna, and DJs Mr. Stitch and Adam Oliveri.

The bellydancers will perform a variety of styles including Bellydance Fusion with Hip Hop, Tribal, Cabaret, and Amethyst's own Ethno-Electro and Sacred Dance styles.

The DJs will play House and Tech-House music (electronic) for an open dance party after the dance show.
These DJs play music which is sure to make everyone in the room dance and not want to stop.

Opening acts by Mystic Reign Bellydance
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Cry Fire
Cry Fire is a group that doesn't preoccupy itself with fitting into a genre, or cultivating some kind of predefined image or look. They are a band whose focus is, and has always been, performing their music at a very high level.
The influences that combine to make-up this band are diverse. Ranging from the hard rock greats (Zep, Van Halen, Hendrix, early Clapton, etc), to blues legends (BB King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, SRV), and jazz virtuosos (Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Miles, Herbie, etc). Couple that with a 90s childhood (Pearl Jam, STP, Soundgarden, etc), and a slight taste for prog (Rush, King Crimson) gives birth to the sounds you hear. Still, at the end of the day, we're all suckers for a good hook.

Cry Fire's new record Strangers, came together as sessions for a second record with their previous group, The Known World, fell apart. Bozek, Graff, and Minto hit the reset button, and tucked themselves away at Aardvark Productions for the early winter months of 2008. By the time spring rolled around, the band had emerged with a new name, and a full record of new material completed. While the album was being mixed and mastered by Bozek, the band began a period of rehearsals and small club shows to get their live sound, and line up, correct. The band now hits the road with a record it's proud to stand behind, and a live sound that more than backs up that quality.

Boulevard of the Allies
In March 2007, Joel Lindsey left his hometown of London, England to explore the United States with nothing but a suitcase and an acoustic guitar. He performed everywhere from San Francisco to Washington DC, quickly making himself known among the public and local press. Joel was known for his British accent, flowing long hair, but most of all for the intensity of his songwriting and emotional singing style.

He found himself in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he was wowed by the quality of the vocalists and instrumentalists in the Steel City. Alongside Pittsburgh natives Jim Kurasch (bass), Tim College (drums) and James Graff (electric guitar), Joel formed the soulful pop-rock band Boulevard of the Allies. They combined British rock with American soul to produce a sound somewhere between The Beatles and Stevie Wonder.

As they gigged across PA and NY, Boulevard of the Allies were soon recognized as a group who had the potential to make an international impact with their crossbred sound and invigorating live performances.

Joel was invited to meet with the illustrious promoter Pete Bennett named the World's #1 Promotion Man by Billboard Magazine and promoter of such bands as The Stones and The Beatles. This opened the door for him to perform at a special British Invasion concert. He shared center stage with British legend Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues) where he would play the role of legend Paul McCartney. Joel was given the opportunity to not only interpret songs by the great rock bands of the past, but also showcase his own songs with Boulevard of the Allies. This performance helped to further their increasing notoriety.

Joel's song 'Man in the Photograph' was picked up by Barack Obama's campaign marketing department in Pittsburgh and consequently the band were honored to perform the song at a special rally in Pittsburgh in 2008. Boulevard of the Allies were also invited to open for Elisa Toffoli, an Italian superstar who has performed with artists such as Pavarotti and is considered one of the best-known artists in Italy. The show was sold out and the band soon discovered they had an increasing following in Rome.

2010 saw Boulevard of the Allies release their debut album 'Man in the Photograph' which was presented at an electrifying sold out show at Club Cafe, Pittsburgh and later at New York’s famous Bitter End in Greenwich Village. The album has received excellent reviews and has reached all corners of the world through impressive internet sales.

2011 was an exciting year for the band. They were invited to perform at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, and traveled to Europe to promote their new album and continue to build their international following.

2012 saw the band begin recording new tracks for their 2013 album 'You're Out of the Band' and shot a music video for the song She Said No also out next year. show less

Chef Monique Ruvolo extends her Sunday Brunch talents and whips up a one-night-only menu to compliment this evening's live music at Club Cafe. Selections are made with the musicians and audience in mind, in hopes of creating a special evening for all in attendance. As always, seasonal cocktails will be available for pairing from the bar. Check back to see which show is chosen as the next Pop-Up Dinner event!

Live By Request
The show where the audience picks the songs! Put your name on the "request" form and throw it into the guitar case up on stage when you enter the club. The set list is up to YOU - and a surprise to Bill!

Bill Deasy is the former lead singer/songwriter of the Gathering Field, whose regional hit "Lost in America" led to a deal with Atlantic Records. Performing Songwriter Magazine says: "He calls to mind Paul Westerberg and many of the finest rock songwriters who mix poetry and drunken bluster, yet somehow sound macho and sensitive at the same time"...

Pop-Up Dinner Menu: August 3

Starters
Chef Mo's Pop-Up Platter
A selection of this evenings delights with artisanal cheeses & grilled French bread

Summer Salad
Heirloom tomato, Greek feta, balsamic onions, mint, & toasted pine nuts drizzled with lemon dressing

Entrees
Tuna Nicoise
Sliced rare and topped with calamata olives, onion, & tomato

Pasta Please
Cavatelli with fresh ricotta, sweet & spicy peppers, in a garlic & basil sauce

Steak & Eggs
Flank steak grilled & sliced, served with a potato cake & poached egg. Finished with a herb vinaigrette.

Mo's Flatbread
Asparagus, blue cheese, sundried pesto with braised chicken

Desserts
Croissant Bread Pudding
Served with fresh fruit
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Join Cellfish for their triumphant return at Club Cafe. Special guest TBA. Tickets only $5. show less

Batamba is a heart-pounding, foot-stomping rhythmic explosion that captures the infectious grooves of West Africa, the French Antilles, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the band is a special blend of electric and baritone guitar, horns, percussion, and more percussion that could easily blend into the street festivals of Carnaval in Cuba, Rio, or New Orleans, and is sure to get you moving and smiling.

The group features Dan McMillan and Gordon Nunn on percussion, Victor Ruiz on baritone guitar, Nathan Frink on saxophone, and Johna Bagnato as the lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Each member brings a pretty hefty skill-set to the table, but the thing that binds it all together is the rhythmic undertow, guaranteed to pull the audience away from the shores of bland music in the most positive way.
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The Spring Standards are an energetic force of three-part harmony circling over a rock n' roll sound with an old country aftertaste. From small towns to big cities, they explode on stage with spirit, spontaneity, and a style all their own. They are, in no particular order: James Cleare, James Smith and Heather Robb. Each member of the band is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and they use their strengths as a trio to create a sound that listeners might expect from a band twice their size. With an emphasis on three-part harmony and a variety of instrumental switching, their range and energy make each live show a unique event.

In fact, the band's performance set-up is as distinctive as their sound: They take a drum kit and break it up among the three of them, and then they set up along the front of the stage. So, whoever is playing bass (James and James alternate between bass and guitar,) is also stepping on a kick drum and whoever is playing guitar is also stepping on the high hat (and sometimes playing harmonica simultaneously). Heather, in the middle, switches between melodica, keys, glockenspiel and snare drum, often playing several at a time. And even with all this going on, their harmonies are astounding.

They released their debut LP in 2010 called Would Things Be Different (produced by Bryce Goggin - Pavement, Akron/Family, etc), and their debut EP released in late 2008 was produced by Rhett Miller of the Old97s. They've toured all around the country with the likes of Squeeze, The Old 97s, Marc Broussard, The Clarks, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, Ha Ha Tonka and Meg + Dia. They've also appeared on Mountain Stage/NPR, Conan O'Brien, and have been featured on WRXP's Holiday Extravaganza. show less

Join Club Cafe for an evening of comedy featuring

Davon Magwood with Special Guests Jordan Weeks, Sean Rush, Olivia Traini, Frank Chevrier and Jake Morisse show less