In what could be the most interesting new club around town since the Beehive opened, Berklee College of Music has opened Cafe 939, "a state-of-the-art, all-ages, student-run music venue and coffee house" at 939 Boylston Street, adjacent to the Cactus Club. The booze-free joint - yes, that's the down side - intends to showcase "emerging student talent, local artists, as well as national acts seeking a more intimate, personal space in which to perform and connect with their fans." The coffeehouse menu has apparently been on a soft opening since the beginning of the year, but now they're ready to tout their lineup of rock, jazz, folk, world, hip-hop and what have you. Expect plenty o' jazz, though, at least more than you'll find in the mix at rock clubs around town.
Marsalis Music recording artist and Berklee grad Miguel Zenón will kick-off Marsalis Berklee Jams, April 2 - 3, a series putting jazzers on stage with students. Less appealing, but a smart fund-raising move is Executive Sessions, a Thursday night series with bands that include local CEOs, beginning on April 17. Berklee’s student-run label Heavy Rotation Records will present an artist showcase concert in April (TBA). Regular evening programs are set for Wednesdays-Sundays, 8-11 p.m., beginning early next month, and there are also lunchtime and Sunday brunch events on the schedule. Details are at berklee.edu/events, although the only 939 event posted now is a performance by Jon Anderson of Yes at 11 a.m. next Wednesday. Ticket are available at the Berklee Performance Center box office, and through Ticketmaster at 617-931-2000, or at ticketmaster.com.
Somebody check it out and report back, 'kay?
Pic by Phil Farnsworth, via Berklee.
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