Lewes coffeehouse focuses on live, original music
The small nautical town of Lewes has a new family-friendly venue directed by Mike and Lorraine Messitt offering live, original musical performances once a month at The Anchor Coffee House.
This is not a club-like atmosphere, but rather a gathering place to appreciate and support the artistry of aspiring and seasoned musicians where American traditional music comprised of bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, gospel and more intertwined with other genres receives a warm welcome.
The events are all volunteer-driven with a main goal to bring the community together through cultural enrichment and the arts.
How and when did the Anchor Coffee House originate and what do you envision for its future?
When we were conceiving The Anchor Coffee House with Pastor Will Crossan of Groome UMC, we wanted to support the church’s outreach ministry mission by serving as a center for cultural enrichments and art for the broader community.
We are a volunteer-driven program offering at least one event per month. Volunteers represent both members of the Groome congregation and the greater community.
Our first event kicked things off in September 2017 with a bluegrass concert. In the short run, in addition to our scheduled performances, we would like to create opportunities for involvement by not-for-profit organizations offering public education on topics such as prevention care, and spirituality.
We have been encouraged by the response the Anchor has received from both performers and the community. Like any new initiative, we know that it will require hard work promoting what we offer. In addition to musical performances, we envision poetry readings, workshops, and one-act play performances.
What is the range of music/musicians that is featured at the Anchor Coffee House?
If we were to describe the performances since inception in one word, it would be “eclectic.”
A common thread during the first year has been showcasing several singer-songwriters in the American folk tradition. Additionally, we book Cajun and Acadian fiddlers, a Maritime/Celtic Christmas concert, and bluegrass/gospel.
In June/July, we will present two jazz trios. Later in the summer we will bring a duo playing Celtic/Americana and a fall concert with Caribbean/Ska/Reggae music performed on cigar box guitars. We are interested in identifying and piquing audience interest by offering something they may not have seen before.
We have been blessed with wonderful musicians, singers and songwriters.
How often do you meet and who is invited to hang out?
Our performances are monthly, usually on a Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m.
The concerts are in the Groome UMC sanctuary, a historic 100-plus year old venue with wonderful acoustics and sound system.
The coffeehouse concession is located on the bottom floor and opens at 6 p.m. serving a variety of hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages as well as pastries and snacks.
It is not unusual for the gathering space to we well-attended. It is a welcoming opportunity for people to make new friends.
Throughout the year, you also host concerts to give back to the community. What are some of the causes or organizations that you have helped with?
In February, we co-sponsored an educational program with the Alzheimer’s Association that was valuable for family members and caregivers with a focus on understanding the differences between Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss.
We offered an acoustic fingerpicking guitar workshop to 20 adult students last fall.
Our April Local Folk Music swap meet brought together established and beginner musicians to buy and sell instruments, find musical instruction and repair experts.
The Anchor Coffee House is considered a hidden gem in Lewes by some of its regulars. What is some other common, positive feedback that you hear?
We are trying our best to dispel the label of “hidden gem.” We have received largely positive feedback from those who attend the events which are family-friendly and affordable. Equally important is the reputation we try to achieve with those who we invite to perform.
As musicians ourselves, we know how valuable it is to perform in front of an appreciative, respectful audience. It has been a joy and privilege for us to be involved.
Outside of the Anchor Coffee House, you have your own band, a duo, named The Problematics with a combined experience or interest of 80 years. Can you share something about your musical adventures (both you and Mike) that others may not know about?
We have been at it for a lot of years without giving up our day jobs.
Things started in 1965 for Mike with a garage band of high school classmates who still gather once a year followed by several years playing in blues, Celtic, and country-rock bands.
After earning degrees in acting and performing arts, Lorraine entered commercial voiceovers and TV/film acting. But, music was her first love and Lorraine sang and played upright bass in Bluegrass and electric bass in blues, C&W, and Zydeco bands.
We once played together back in the late 1970s in a blues band, lost touch with each other for 30 years, reunited by chance and married in 2012, but that is a whole other story.
IF YOU GO
Live, local American folk tradition music
The Anchor Coffee House, Groome UMC in Lewes
Next show is June 30 at 7 p.m. featuring 5th Avenue jazz trio. All shows are once a month; check schedule online for details.
Mike or Lorraine Messitt at 302-645-6256 or https://www.facebook.com/theanchorcoffeehouse/