Coffee and music make Mondays special at Starbucks

BY HEATHER CAMPBELL

If you think Mondays are the least favourite day of the week, you need to check out Starbucks. 

Jesse Lagace, owner of Innovative Guitar, has partnered with Starbucks Coffee since the fall of 2006 to bring local musicians to an intimate and family friendly venue. 

Every Monday night there is a new acoustic guitar performance showcasing local talent with the Starbucks crowd soaking it up. 

Lagace, who has operated the guitar shop on Durham St. for the past four years said, "There's a real need for this kind of entertainment.  The bar scene is the only other venue for live performances." 

His Durham shop is always busy with local guitar enthusiasts taking lessons, finding out about new guitars and just playing together. 

Lagace, an accomplished musician, understands the challenge for local musicians to get in front of an audience and has volunteered to organize the Monday night shows.  He also donates the sound system, and when necessary, accompanies musicians.

Ryan Harris, 23, is one of the local musicians who was recently featured, he said, "It's hard to get a gig in Sudbury."
 
Harris, a Sudbury Secondary School music program graduate, has played the Park Hotel and busked around town.  Payment at the Park is for beer and busking on the street can bring him between $20 to, on a good day, $100. 

He claims Starbucks is the best gig he has. 

"I like the intimacy of Starbucks," he said.  He is able to showcase his original material and appreciates the opportunity to try them out with a live audience.

Harris is a struggling musician committed to making it a career option.  He makes his living from teaching guitar lessons and a few shifts as a dishwasher. 

 His original music was well received at Starbucks with one of the songs dedicated to his mother who died three years ago.

Jon Ouellette, 22, another local musician who was just passing through Chapters, was excited about the possibilities of being able to perform at Starbucks. 

The third-year Cambrian student originally from Manitouwage in northwestern Ontario, has his sights set on a career in production and recording. 

"I like the low key atmosphere at Starbucks," he said

"I mostly play at the (College) pub but I'd like more experience with different audiences."

Lagace said he wants to provide an opportunity for as many local performers as  possible.  He's had more than 70 auditions for the Monday night spots and is booked into February 2008.