Coffeehouse grows into big bluegrass venue

Article published Feb 2, 2009.

Coffeehouse grows into big bluegrass venue

By Rick Steigmeyer
World staff writer

CASHMERE — No one imagined in 2001 that the little coffeehouse in the back of a church would become the region's most popular venue for nationally known bluegrass performers.

The Cashmere Community Coffeehouse celebrated its eighth anniversary Saturday night, and Riverside Center — the coffeehouse's home for the past five years — was packed to hear two of the nation's best bluegrass flatpick guitar players. Dan Crary joined Dale Adkins, one of the Northwest's best contemporary acoustic guitarists, for two hours of tunes that spanned the history of bluegrass guitar music.

"Where did all you folks come from? I didn't know there were this many bluegrass fans up here," said Crary of Placerville, Calif., to the nearly 300-member audience.

"I come here as often as I can," said Ross Frank of Leavenworth, one member of the all-ages audience interviewed during a break in the music. "It's nice to have quality culture here. This is world-class talent."

An enthusiastic and loyal audience, an attractive hall with a great sound system and a dedicated team of volunteers are behind the success of the monthly show schedule, said Marie Vecchio, president of the coffeehouse board of directors.

"Everyone does their part," said Vecchio, a bluegrass fiddler. The board reads like members of a local band: Chuck and Candace Egner, who own a recording studio; Tom Caudill, a Cashmere banjo player; Jerry Samples, a Wenatchee dobro player and guitar maker; and Joanie Sittman, whose husband, Cliff, is a Leavenworth mandolin player.

"It's a lot of work, but it's our love of the music that keeps us all together," said Vecchio, who took over leadership of the coffeehouse in 2004 with the help of her husband, Dave.

The coffeehouse began in 2001 when Cashmere newcomer Joyce Fikkan decided Cashmere needed some weekend family entertainment.

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