The Journal

Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: LifeStyle

Media Credit: Lanz Christian Banes Jim Curran, class of 1972, plays "A Walk at Night," an instrumental piece about waking up in the middle of the night and going for a walk. Curran was one of two musicians who played for the '70s Coffeehouse Oct. 7 in the recital hall of the Thompson Music Building.

Picture a small recital room with wooden floors, little white tables, a lone microphone and a chair at the front.

Students and alumni came together Oct. 7 to enjoy the poetry and music at the '70s Coffeehouse. The spirit of Webster from 1976 met the Webster of 2006; generations from then and now convened at the recreation of a coffeehouse.

Students and alumni sipped coffee, ate cookies and listened to poetry and acoustic music at the Thompson Music Building.

Richard Fox, class of 1976, organized the first '70s Coffeehouse six years ago as a way to commemorate the ambience of Webster during the '70s. Fox said he and his classmates used to sit around reading poetry to each other, playing music and talking about things that were important to them, such as the Vietnam War.

"This (the coffeehouse) reflects what we did years ago," Fox said.

It's also a way for people to share their artistic talent, be it poetry, music or anything that can be performed in front of a crowd.

"For graduates (of the '70s) the arts are really important no matter what profession they're in," Fox said. "Art is important (to us)."

Three poets and two musicians, all alumni, performed to a crowd of approximately 30 people.

Mary Krchma, the development officer for the Alumni Office, said this year's event had more of a mixture of poetry and music.

"This year took a different slant," Krchma said. "It was a nice combination of poetry and music, great things. There were a lot of new performers."

The '70s Coffeehouse is a way for people to do what they love and share with other people in an intimate setting, Krchma said.

"It's something the alumni wanted to do," Krchma said. "They planned it. It's (also) a chance to show off their talent, to share their thoughts."

Continued...

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