Coffee House Closings Prompt Local Singer-Songwriter To Host His Own House Concert

What do you do when you’re a performing artist and the venue you’ve been booked to play suddenly closes its doors? Protest? Cry? Smash a guitar? If you’re Newtown musician Darryl Gregory you know the show must go on… even if it’s in your own house.

Newtown used to boast two venues that supported live acoustic music, but within the past year both Mocha Coffee House and The Blue Z Coffee House have closed their doors, leaving Newtowners to drive further for live music and a good cup of joe. Singer-songwriters are increasingly booking their own home-grown venues, or “house concerts,” at the homes of music lovers so it made sense to Darryl Gregory to move the concert he had scheduled for Saturday, December 11, at The Blue Z with New York City chanteuse Carla Lynne Hall to his Sandy Hook home.

“House concerts are great settings, very intimate,” says Mr Gregory. “They bring the music right to the fan and leave wonderful memories for friends and the community.”

Ms Hall and Mr Gregory will present an evening of songs and stories at 29 Fawnwood Road in Sandy Hook. Seating is limited to 25 persons and reservations are strongly recommended by sending an email Mr Gregory at darryl@bluecavestudios.com or calling him at 917-297-3113.

The house will open at 6:30 pm and the music will begin at 7:15. Light snacks will be available but drinks are BYOB. Suggested donation in support of the artists is $5.

Darryl Gregory is a Sandy Hook resident who has been writing and performing his songs up and down the East Coast and out to the Midwest for the past 15 years. His music is best described as “hard-edged country, with a soft heart.” He has released two solo CDs and has played on many other CD releases.

Carla Lynne Hall is a fiercely independent singer-songwriter who resides in New York City. Her music, released on her own Moxie Entertainment label, showcases her unique blend of jazz, twang, and soul. Her warm vocal stylings and charismatic performances have been called “a cross between Norah Jones and India.Arie.”