After a yearlong break because of COVID, the Lee College Coffeehouse is illuminating the stage once again for a fun evening of entertainment, talent and creativity at the Black Box Theater on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.
The annual musical showcase brings together a diverse group of singers and songwriters from around the community, and gives them a platform to share their talents.
Ken Booker, director of Instrumental Music at Lee College, has organized and implemented this unique community event for over a decade. When he started the Coffeehouse in 2009, his goal was simply to provide a high-quality venue for artists in the community to do what they love. Booker is excited to once again be able to bring that opportunity back to local performers.
“As a musician and composer myself, I know that any time an artist gets the opportunity to be part of something like this, it’s a good thing because it provides that creative outlet everyone needs,” said Booker. “Giving them a venue to do that gives me so much satisfaction. I really like to see it happen.”
Local musician, Tony Jackomis has performed at the Lee College Coffeehouse many times, both as a solo musician and as part of a group. He enjoys playing this event because of the feedback from the crowd and the opportunity it brings to grow as an artist.
“The event attracts people who really love music and know a lot about it,” said Jackomis. “It’s a rare experience to play to a room full of people like that who are watching with intent and listening to every note.”
“For me, it’s been a place where I’ve been able to experiment and find myself as an artist. The setting is so intimate, and when you’re performing you really get a good sense of what the audience is responding to — what works and what doesn’t. The audience has greater access to the performers as well,” he said.
To keep the audience on their toes, the Coffeehouse venue has also welcomed poetry readers, rappers, comics – even a juggler has taken the stage in the past!
An audition is required to perform at the Coffeehouse, and there are still a few spots left. Anyone interested in auditioning for the show can contact Ken Booker at kbooker@lee.edu for more information. Tickets to the Coffeehouse are $5 at the door, and light snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the event benefit students of the Lee College Music Club. The Black Box Theater is part of the Lee College Performing Arts Center located at 805 W. Texas Avenue in Baytown.