Postcrypt Coffeehouse

infobox music venue
name = Postcrypt Coffeehouse

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caption = The official logo of Postcrypt Coffeehouse, designed by Ginia Sweeney.
location = St. Paul's Chapel, Columbia University, New York
genres = Acoustic, Folk
years_active = 1964-present
capacity = 35
website = http://www.postcrypt.orgPostcrypt Coffeehouse is an all-acoustic music venue in the basement of St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University in New York City. Founded in 1964, Postcrypt has hosted countless up-and-coming folk musicians, including Jeff Buckley, Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin, and Ani DiFranco. Additionally, Suzanne Vega, a graduate of Barnard College, returns to Postcrypt each Spring to play one secret, coveted concert. [ [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/postcrypt/coffeehouse/newsite/main3.html Postcrypt Coffeehouse ] ] The young and talented Anthony da Costa performs there regularly. [ [http://cdbaby.com/cd/anthonydacosta CD Baby: ANTHONY DA COSTA: Rearrange ] ] Postcrypt is indeed a unique venue. It is one of the few free, volunteer run venues in New York. Its size is also notable: it legally can only host 35 people at a time, giving the venue a very intimate feel.

History

The venue was established in 1964 with the help of the campus chaplain, Reverend John Cannon. With the help of student Dotty Sutherland, a small storage room in the basement of the chapel was cleaned and redecorated.

Despite popular conceptions, the Postcrypt location was never a "crypt," but rather a storage closet in the basement of the chapel; it takes its name from the Søren Kierkegaard book, Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments. This was then shortened to C.U (the initials for Columbia University) Postcrypt to reflect the fact that the venue was in the basement, or crypt, of the chapel. [ [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/postcrypt/coffeehouse/history/ Postcrypt History ] ]

Since its creation, Postcrypt Coffeehouse has been completely run by student volunteers. It is open each Friday and Saturday night during the academic year from 9pm-12am, featuring three artists during that time. It is always free and open to the public. Postcrypt is supported by funding from the student government and their sales of coffee, baked goods, and a notoriously good selection of beer. In a 2006 article about Morningside Heights, the New York Times wrote:

One thing you won't find anywhere else is the Postcrypt Coffeehouse, a musty hideaway tucked into the depths of the St. Paul's basement where singers from the accomplished to the totally disastrous perform Friday and Saturday nights. The tiny spot serves $1 coffee so awful they should refund your dollar if you finish it, but makes up for it with free popcorn. [ [http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/travel/07weekend.html?scp=1&sq=postcrypt%20coffeehouse&st=cse Ivy League by Uptown Train - New York Times ] ]

Since that article, the staff of Postcrypt has tried earnestly to improve the quality of their coffee, using fair trade and organic coffee as part of the effort to go green. This effort has also included the institution of a "Bring Your Own Mug" policy: coffee and locally produced cider is offered at a 50% discount to patrons who bring their own mugs. [ [http://www.postcrypt.org Postcrypt Coffeehouse ] ]

Troubles with the University

Postcrypt has faced its share of trouble with Columbia's administration: in 2001, it was nearly shut down because of fire violations. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807EFDF173AF936A15752C1A9679C8B63 NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS; Somber Notes From the Underground: A Folk Music Landmark Faces Uncertainty - New York Times ] ] Recently, source of the famous low lighting has changed from candles to electric lights.

Folk Festival

On May 4, 2008, Postcrypt Coffeehouse hosted their first annual Folk Festival, an all day event on Columbia's campus. All acts featured were completely comprised of Columbia students. [ [http://www.bwog.net/articles/folk_and_food_for_free The Bwog: Folk and Food for Free! ] ]

External Links

* [http://www.postcrypt.org Postcrypt Coffeehouse's Official Website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=postcrypt+coffeehouse+folk+festival&search_type= Videos of the First Annual Postcrypt Folk Festival on YouTube]
* [http://www.wikicu.com/Postcrypt_Coffeehouse Postcrypt Coffeehouse on WikiCU]
* [http://www.yelp.com/biz/postcrypt-coffeehouse-new-york Postcrypt Coffeehouse on Yelp]

References