A New Scene on the Rise at Phoenix Caf

Feb. 16, 2005

Benzie County’s hottest new nightspot is also one of its most popular coffeehouses. The Phoenix Cafè in downtown Beulah has launched a winter series of live music that’s bringing some of the nation’s most notable folk artists to town.
Last month, beat poet songwriter Annie Gallup packed the Cafè with a sold-out show, presenting owners Ron Harrison and Sheila Prochnow with the kind of problem that venue owners like to have: how to find more seating for customers.
Harrison, a stand-out acoustic musician himself, has an insider’s insight into what makes for a good show. This Friday, Feb. 18, the Phoenix Cafè will present Switchback, a duo who play Celtic and American roots music with a midwestern twist on mandolin, guitar and bass. With seven albums to their credit, Switchback reportedly puts on a charismatic show ranging from original songs reflecting the heartland of Iowa and Illinois to bawdy Irish bar tunes.
On March 4, the Phoenix Cafè presents Harry Manx, a Canadian blues guitarist who spent five years in India studying sitar with Rajasthani master musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Last year, Manx performed a jaw-dropping show in Northern Michigan on a 20-string sitar/guitar that provides a link between eastern and western music. His blend of blues, raga rhythms, sitar and harmonica is unlike anything this side of New Delhi.
“We started the series last winter and the entire concert season was super successful,” Harrison says. “It sounds great in here -- before this was a coffeehouse it was an old Sinclair gas station back in the ‘40s, then a hardware store and then vacant for a long time; but the acoustics are great.”

THE OIL PIT
Speaking of gas stations, Harrison notes that the site of the Cafè’s stage was once an oil pit in the bygone art deco gas station. Today of course, customers are getting lubed on the Cafè’s blend of Great Northern Roast coffees, lattes and cappucinos.
Serving breakfast and lunch, the Cafè also offers fresh bread each day, Italian foccacia sandwiches and a variety of baked goods and desserts. The Cafè is also a natural gathering spot in downtown Beulah -- it was remodeled with much fanfare a couple of years ago and today no stop in town is complete without a visit to catch the local buzz on what’s happening.
Ron and Sheila took over as new owners in November, 2003, both bringing a measure of experience and interest in the food realm.
“The funny thing is that I grew up in food service and Sheila has always loved food,” Harrison says. “She also had a career in teaching English as a second language in countries like Brazil, Japan and France. When we met four years ago, it all sort of fell into place with the cafè.”
He adds that his background includes time spent as a water resource specialist with a degree in environmental science along with his avocation as a singer-songwriter. Harrison’s first CD came out a couple of years ago to glowing reviews and he’s presently working on a second album which will include some bossa nova sounds, an edgy element, and perhaps a twist of Bacharach.

HOME GROWN
He also sees the Phoenix Cafè evolving as a crucible for the talents of local performers in addition to those passing through nationally. Area stars such as Claudia Schmidt and Steppin’ in It have performed at the Cafè, and Song of the Lakes will be appearing in April to showcase their exceptional new album.
“My goal is to have the best of what we have to offer here in the region performing,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to promote local music and to also have anyone worth listening to who’s cruising through the area on a national tour.”

Check out Switchback this Friday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Phoenix Cafè, The group also performs on Thursday at the Traverse Brewing Co. in Elk Rapids. The Phoenix Cafe is located at 245 S. Benzie Blvd. in downtown Beulah.