Fred Fontaine

24 Dec 2002

I don't see Clarence (Tom) Ashley, Tex Isley, Ed McCurdy, Ian and Sylvia (guest shot after a SPAC show), or Patrick Sky on the performers list. I saw them all there, and remember especially Tom Ashley, who told the audience how he taught me "Cluck Old Hen" at the Newport Folk Festival.
     I remember being often broke, and bringing dates to the Caffè, and each nursing a tamarindo all night while enjoying the best performers in the country. Lena never complained about my getting a night's entertainment for 5 bucks - she was genuinely happy just to see people enjoying her place.
     Oh - I have a program from the Caffè performance of Caligula, in which Lena took the part of Caesonia. If the Caffè wants it I'll be happy to donate it. ~
     My favorite moment at the Caffè was Arlo Guthrie singing "Hey Mr. President", an unflattering tune about LBJ. I took a picture of him singing it, which was displayed on the Caffè's photo board. I haven't been back in years, and maybe it's still there. If so, the viewer will know the song which was making Arlo look so nasty.
     My favorite overall performance was that of Mississippi John Hurt. I was close enough to him that I could hear the off-color words that he tried to cover up while singing a version of "Candy Man".
      There were so many wonderful times at the Caffè that I get melancholy thinking about them. If I could re-live any time in my life, it would be the 1960s weekends at the Caffè. I would have to lie in order to say one bad thing about the place or Lena. I've never encountered such a warm, honest place, and never met a more dedicated and sympathetic person than Lena. It is sad to think about her being gone.