STEPH DEROSA: LIVE @ BBC >>>

It may sound like a crazy drive to some of you, but it’s really worth every drop of gas to head out to Beyond the Bridge Café in Sumner.  I’m being 100 percent completely honest and unbiased with you when I tell you that you are really missing out if you don’t catch one of BBC’s monthly live shows. 

I knew no one that worked there before I stopped in for coffee a couple of months ago, I had never heard any of the artists live before Friday night, and (unfortunately) no one has paid me to promote them.  This encouragement I’m throwing at you to show up at next month’s “Live @ BBC” comes simply from the coffee-shop-crush I developed Friday night.

For a measly five dollars I was able to catch a line-up of seven very raw and talented performances.  Fennison James and Brian Johnson made my heart go pitter-patter, while Ashley Brown belted it out to bring it all home for me.

Jordani was by far the best vocalist I heard Friday night.  I promptly purchased her CD and then made sure I let her know how amazing I thought she was.  I even took a little video â€" you know because a studio CD (although is usually very good) never quite does the sound justice like it does when you see it live.

It was an honor to finally see The Cloves live and in person.  Michael, who is also a BBC employee, gave an impromptu speech to the crowded room about the loyalties our community should have in local coffee shops.  It was eloquent, and said perfectly.  Kinda brought tears to my eyes.

Afterward they drug Ben and Tricia (owners of BBC) on stage and sang Ben a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday.”  Tricia presented Ben with a half-eaten piece of banana bread and a candle in it.  Who ate the other half of the Banana Bread, you ask?  Everyone’s favorite MLKBallet queen, Kate Monthy, that’s who.  Way to go, Kate.

The Black Sails (formerly known as The Travis Barker Band. And no, not the drummer Travis Barker from Blink 182)  â€" set out to impress the crowd with his tuning skills before lighting the stage on fire with some wicked guitar work.  I was in complete awe.

Friday night was a fantastic night with a fantastic group of people.  I left before catching the final act (James Coates), as I was ready to finish the night and get home to my family.  So, thank you BBC for all of the fun, all the music, and the shots in my quad-cappuccino milkshake I downed in 4.8 seconds.

LINK: More photos in the Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot