Another acts lives up to its billing

Bev Barnet and Greg Newlon were our featured artists last Friday and put on a wonderful show. They are a very personable couple, very much in love with their music and each other. They praised our venue and our food, of course we fed them, and we had a wonderful evening.

Next Friday, May 2 is our next first Friday poetry night, with featured poet, Dave Lunde,

followed by an open mic session. If it is anything close to the previous ones, it'll be well worth participating, as audience or poet/reader.

We continue to meet new and exciting people every day and look forward to seeing them on a regular basis for good food and fellowship. After all we cater to anyone with a hungry mind or body, serving books and food with equal elan. Speaking of catering, we now offer goody trays with advance notice. These trays are perfect for office meetings and feature breakfast muffins and cookies or crepes, quiche and soup. We make our soup and quiche from scratch and always start the day with a vegetarian version of each.

The cord of romance novels is dwindling fast with some non profit groups sharing the bounty, providing plenty of reading for their clients.

Saturday and Sunday are beignet days - we serve the tasty French doughnut with chicory or regular coffee or on their own. Mention you read about it here and get an up-sized order (four rather than the usual three).

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

The results are in!

The results of the people's choice for our artist call in conjunction with the Hearts in A(c)Cord promotion are in. The pictures are of 1st and 2nd place. All entries were unique and well done. The winner, Erin Hogan, with Shadow Mansion, will receive a $25 gift certificate. The others get our sincere thanks and a photo on our blog. The romance purse was submitted by Cat Alves. Other entries receiving honorable mentions were a painting of a romance cover by Curt Hitch, and book ends by Brenda Rioux (see photos below).

Don't forget to take advantage of our "Secret Sale", as there are only a few days left. It ends on April 20th. If you didn't receive a coupon by e-mail, ask for one at the counter when you come in or after making your selections. Mass market westerns, mystery, and science fiction paperbacks are $.50 each and mass market romance paperbacks are 5/ $1.00.

April 18th is a special day, as we will be graced with the presence of Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon. They are singer/songwriters traveling the folk circuit and are sure to give us a wonderful show. Their recent album Any Doorway Will Do is an exciting blend of heartfelt vocals and amazing guitar riffs.

"Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this acoustic masterpiece. Greg Newlon & Bev Barnett have touched all the bases here. Bev has a voice that soars to great heights with outstanding range and command, while Greg has a sturdy, powerful voice that connects with everyone who listens. Together they create beautiful harmonies with more than a touch of sweetness."
-- David Stafford, KKUP 91.5 FM Cupertino, CA - Non-Commercial People's Radio

The show starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are available in advance at Colette's for $12.00. The walk in door charge is $13.00.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

Concert on the way

Bev Barnet and Greg Newlon will be gracing our stage Friday April 18th at 7:30 pm.


" With a gift for delivering the essence of a song, Barnett's voice has been called angelic - but with the ability to 'turn down the sheets.' Sometimes you hear the honeyed tones of Mary Chapin Carpenter, and sometimes you hear hints of Sade."
"Newlon's guitar encircles the song as he finds his way between the notes with delicacy and strength. His fluid, full guitar and vocal arrangements are the result of a long and varied musical journey from his rock beginnings (sharing a stage with the Doors) combined with his background in musical theatre and barbershop, to the country rock sound of Aspen in the late 1970s and more recently through blues, country and modern folk. All of these influences have shaped his unique, contemporary acoustic style."

Advance tickets are on sale at Colette's for $12. Door price will be $13, with all proceeds going to the artists.

We had a chance to break away for the solstice and visit Cape Arago (picture). It was very pleasant and exciting to re energize out on the point.

We're having a "secret sale". Coupons were emailed to our list. However they are available on request at the store as well. The coupon offers Mass Market Paperback Mysteries, Westerns and Science Fiction for $.50 each and Mass Market Paperback Romances at 5 for $1.00. Offer ends soon, so come in and ask for your coupon.

Jerry and Jessica
"tycoonistas"

Art has started to arrive for the Hearts in A(c)Cord art show. Come get a romance or two and join the fun. Any medium is accepted, with the only stipulation being it must include a romance novel.

The pictures are of two of our interesting non-fiction books. Just samples of what we have to offer, be it political, green or local interest. We have a broad range to offer, business and self help to just plain fun (cook books, Gallop). With books to browse, tables to rest or visit at, food to nosh, WIFI, and lots of eye candy, we expect everyone of our guests to find something to pique their interest or appetite.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

The Buccaneers put on an exciting and entertaining concert, unfortunately to a small audience, as it was Good Friday. They hail from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and performed a wonderful mix of "roots" music (bluegrass, blues, celtic, chanty, folk, and original). They have been jamming together since high school and have been a group for twelve years. All three share the vocals and they have a nice tight harmonic style which was highlighted in several acapella numbers. Talented musicians, they utilize a variey of instuments including guitar, mandolin, penny whistle, bass and ukelele as well as percussion.

The next scheduled event for our stage is the "First Friday Poetry", held on the first Friday of each month. The April 4th event features Candice Favilla followed by open mic. All are welcome.

We still have some romances available at a reduced price ($.50 for paper backs and $1.00 for hard covers). Speaking of romance -- we have put out a call to artists --- use a romance in an art project, bring it in and have it displayed and juried. We will have a people's choice award as well. Come in, get a romance, and have fun creating. The only stipulation is that a romance novel be incorpoated in the work. Come in - get your novel -- and have fun in what ever medium you choose. We'd like to have the submissions in by March 31st to have time for display and for the jury.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

And the stack shrinks

The sale was a success. We set the record! Not as high as we had hoped, as our goal was to sell all 8,144 romances (our count). We did fall a bit short, and will continue the sale til the end of the month or until all are sold. Many new faces graced our space and the whole day was a pretty good party. We put out a call to artists and would like to see a broad range of art works utilizing a romance novel. The only requirement is that a romance novel be used in the creation. A jury will select a winner based on creativity, ingenuity, and execution. Art works are to be submitted to Colette's by close of business March 31st (7pm) to give the jury time to decide and nearly two weeks to display them prior to the April art walk, when a people's choice pick will be awarded.

The Buccaneers will bring their eclectic mix of folk, celtic, bluegrass, and sea chanties ("Rocky Mountain Root Music") to our stage on March 21st at 7:30 pm. Door charge is $12, which all goes to the artists.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

How high can it go? - HEARTS in A (c) CORD

The stack for the Guinness records is complete. Come in and guess how many volumes. The closest without going over wins a romantic dinner for two. The records we plan to set are most romances sold by a brick and mortar independent bookstore in one business day, most romances sold in one minute, and most romances sold to a man in one transaction. There will be samples and fun for all. The festivities begin at 10 am on March 15th and will end at 6 pm, with a live radio feed from K-DOCK Oldies 92.9FM. Come have a good time and support charity. Paperbacks will sell for $1.00 each and Hard cover romances will be $2.00. Half of the proceeds will be split between the Women's Safety and Resource Center and South Coast Food Share. With well over a cord there will be romance for all. In addition there will be an artist call to produce a work of art in any medium utilizing at least one romance novel. The art fest continues through March (deadline is March 31st), and a juried and people's choice selection will be made and awarded during the March Art walk.

Friday was the second First Friday Poetry Reading. It was well attended and featured Ralph Tislarete presenting a mini-workshop on taking poetry to another level with sound, music and video. An award winning poet, he is published in 100+ anthologies, and has been creating 'poem tracks' for the past several years. He has been writing over forty years. Another surprise was a cowboy poet and fiddler. All in all an exciting evening. Several others read to much appreciation. Remember this will be an going feature at Colette's on the first Friday of each month. The plan is to have a featured poet, and then open the 'mic' up to the floor.

Later in March (the 21st) the Buccaneers will be presenting their eclectic mix of Celtic, folk, sea chanties and bluegrass on our stage at 7:30 pm. Suggested cover donation is $12.00. Mark your calendars as it promises to live up to the caliber of performers that have graced our stage.

Jerry and Jessica
"tycoonistas"