‘Joe’s Café’ to be performed at The Psalm Salon in Philadelphia April 2

For immediate release:
March 7, 2011

Contact:
Rupert Wates
(206) 354-4122
bitemusiclimited@hotmail.com
http://www.bitemusiclimited.com

Or Dave Turner
(828) 713-9206
dave@daveturnermusic.com

Photo: http://content.bandzoogle.com/users/bitemusiclimited/files/Rupert-Wates-headshot.jpg
Audio, video and more info: http://www.bitemusiclimited.com
More photos and info: http://www.sonicbids.com/joescafe

True stories ring truer in ‘Joe’s Café,’ a critically acclaimed musical revue to be performed at The Psalm Salon April 2

Winner, Best Music Revue, San Francisco Fringe Festival

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. -- Rupert Wates And Friends are bringing “Joe's Café,” a critically acclaimed musical revue of songs based on true stories, to the Psalm Salon (http://www.psalmsalon.com) in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 2 – show starts at 8pm. Helping Wates perform the songs in “Joe’s Café” will be Stacey Lorin, Craig Bickhardt, JD Malone, Elle, Cassendre Xavier, Gina Blechman, Lizanne Knott and Ed Wise (bass). The evening will begin with a half hour showcase section, in which some or all of the vocalists will perform one song from their own solo repertoire.

In the “Joe’s Café” show, the audience is invited to imagine that they are guests in an all-night cafe, where friends gather to share their stories. In this intimate environment, nine consummate performers deliver fifteen songs that retell the experience of ordinary American people.

Stories behind the songs
There are tales of love and loss in the two world wars, and other stories of yesterday and today, each recast in song, each of them a piece in the mosaic that is the story of America itself. This performance of "Joe's Cafe" will include:

SALLY'S FARM
Based on the life of one of the leaders of the commune movement in the 1960s. Her story parallels the history of the US over the same period, from innocence to disillusion (flower power to Watergate) and back again.

MISS BURGOYNE AND THE OLD MILWAUKEE
A story that tells of the life of a spinster in one of the midwestern states between the world wars, her dreams of another life symbolized by the train that calls regularly at her town.

STAND UP COMEDIANS
The life of George Carlin, in which his own misfortunes and failures gave him fuel for his most successful gags.

THE SKIES OF SOUTH DAKOTA
The story of a young girl at a time when class and religious prejudices sometimes had fatal consequences.

SNOW IN NEW YORK
An elderly woman recalls an early morning during the blizzard of 1947 in New York City, when she and her brother found the city to be a strange new playground.

A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN THE BRONX
The frustrated efforts of a couple of blue collar guys to shoot some pool in the Bronx.

OLD MAN ON A MOUNTAIN
An officer serving in the army in Afghanistan remembers the hospitality shown him by some of the local people, whose land he and his men are occupying.

WE REGRET
In the last autumn of the second world war, a family in Connecticut receives a government telegram that begins with five words they have come to dread more than any others.

DARKNESS, DARKNESS
A hideous double murder in southern Louisiana leads to the electric chair, to retribution and forgiveness.

DICK AND DELORES (THE LOVING KIND)
An interracial couple in Virginia take their right to marry all the way to the supreme court, and later become figureheads for fighters for other kinds of civil rights.

THE VOODOO DOLL
A doll awakens memories of a superstitious past, and at the same time seems to heal a young black man's bitter memories.

DAYS OF MERCY
The exodus of a poor family across America during the dust bowl depression, at a time when the women literally kept the show on the road.

MORE HOLY GROUND
The story of Robert Gould Shaw, the white colonel of the first all black Infantry regiment to be recruited during the Civil War.

FIFTY SHOTS
The story of Sean Bell, an unarmed man shot to death by undercover police officers in Queens, New York City, in fall 2006.

Reviews of Joe's Cafe:

LATEST REVIEWS FROM RECENT FRINGE FESTIVAL TOUR: http://www.bitemusiclimited.com/reviews.cfm

WINNER, BEST MUSIC REVUE, SAN FRANCISCO FRINGE FESTIVAL 2010

“A real treat. Don’t miss this show.” - Tim Koetting, Artword.net
“Truly magical.” - Katie Penrose, View Magazine Online
“Warm, witty, tender, poignant—you'll take something powerfully important away.” - Rita Kohn, Nuvo
“Haunting and powerful.” - Adrian Chamberlain, Times-Colonist
“Touching songs, wonderful guitar work and angelic voices. Run to see it!” - Bill Bourus, Indianapolis Fringe Festival
“Riveting stories, told in song.” - Roberta Parker, Minnesota Fringe
“Wates doesn't withhold his powers as a poet, tearing through the veneer of consensus reality to bring listeners the raw truth of the human condition. Joe's Cafe burrows deeply into heart and mind.” - Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange
“Succeeds brilliantly in conveying the warm atmosphere of Joe's Cafe” - Alt Country Forum

Rupert Wates (author) is an award-winning singer-songwriter, born in the UK, based since 2007 in New York City. “Truly gripping lyrics with great themes and troubling, witty messages.” (Leith FM Radio Scotland) | “A new and unique songwriter-musician already in the front ranks by dint of timeless work.” (Mark S. Tucker)

Rupert Wates’ Full Bio:
http://bitemusiclimited.com/rupertwatesbio.cfm

Performers
Rupert Wates - http://www.bitemusiclimited.com - Guitar and voice
Stacey Lorin - http://www.staceylorin.com - Voice
Craig Bickhardt - http://www.craigbickhardt.com - Voice
JD Malone http://www.jdmalone.com - Voice
Elle – http://www.cdbaby.com/elletunes - Voice
Cassendre Xavier - http://www.cassendrexavier.com - Voice
Gina Blechman – http://www.myspace.com/ginablechman - Voice
Lizanne Knott - http://www.lizanneknott.com - Voice
Ed Wise - http://www.pennjazz.com/ewise.html - Bass

Performance
Saturday, April 2, 8pm, $16 advance/$20 at the door

Venue
The Psalm Salon
5841 Overbrook Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19131
215-477-7578
http://www.psalmsalon.com/

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