Cafe Carpe

Round robin song circle led by TRICIA ALEXANDER– (performer, poet, healer, “with a voice, music and lyrics that resonate the heart”) done informally, not from the stage, no microphones. This is a lovely gathering of singers, songwriters, musicians and music appreciators, poets, and storytellers held regularly on the last Thursday of each month (except sometimes, when there are […]

A command performance- someone requested that the band play on this date.

Click on Buy tickets to get yourself some: DAVID HUCKFELT will be appearing here solo, celebrating his new album  "Stranger Angels". In the fall of 2017, David Huckfelt left behind the familiar—the comfort of his home in Minneapolis; the camaraderie of his critically acclaimed band, The Pines; the luxuries of heat, hot water, and electricity—and relocated […]

This five piece bluegrass ball of fire featuring vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin appears here regularly on the 2nd Thursday of the month- except when they don’t. Its various members have been involved with traditional music locally, regionally, and nationally for many years. The Pioneer’s lead singer and guitarist, Jerry Wicentowski, has been described by […]

This open mic poetry reading is the final event of the 2019 LORINE NIEDECKER WISCONSIN POETRY FESTIVAL. Lorine Niedecker (1903-1970) is a twentieth-century, second-wave, Modern American poet often identified with the Objectivists. Living most of her life on the shores of the Rock River near Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, she is perhaps best known as a […]

Brooks lives across the pond now, so take this rare opportunity to hear him. At the crossroads of blues and American roots music you’ll find BROOKS WILLIAMS. “Setting new standards and a fresh direction for the blues,” says Blues In Britain, and creating a “beautiful fusion” (Keys And Chords). Just when you think he can’t sing a […]

Purchase tickets using the Buy tickets link below: Originally from New York, now dividing his time between Buenos Aires, Argentina and New York's Hudson Valley, RICHARD SHINDELL is a writer whose songs paint pictures, tell stories, juxtapose ideas and images, inhabit characters, vividly evoking entire worlds along the way and expanding our sense of just […]

Click on the Buy tickets link to get the chance to see this fabulous show! What’s His Name & the Other Guy are Greg Valde & Brian “Looper” Lucas. They are the only surviving members of “Dr. Rhythm & the Harmless Heterosexuals,” the critically ignored and marginally musical 1990s blues rock band. Originally led by […]

First forming in 2014, THE EMMYLOUS broke into the Madison, Wisconsin music scene as a trio of female acoustic folk/rock musicians. Their acoustic, singer-songwriter vibe quickly gave them a home at area wine bars and coffee houses in and around the area. With three layers of vocal harmonies on a backdrop of acoustic guitars, keyboard, and […]

“Like Lucinda Williams in a Carhartt jacket, CHRISTY HAYS works rugged metaphors into emotionally charged country folk.” (Austin Chronicle). "River Swimmer, Hays' remarkable third LP, wrings the emotional depth of Mary Gauthier, outsider narratives of Lucinda Williams, and sharp melodies of Kathleen Edwards."– Doug Freeman  The Austin Chronicle Christy Hays’ music has folk and country […]

KAREN JOHNSON grew up in West Allis, WI, holding dear to her heart the old country songs she’d hear while riding along in her dad’s old Chevy truck. At a young age, Karen learned to play the Tamburitza and sing harmony as a member of the American Croatian Silver Strings Tamburitzans. Now playing the guitar, […]

CRAIG CARDIFF – one of those Canadians Armed with an extensive catalogue of songs, his Book of Truths, sharp wit and soft voice, Cardiff is considered a pioneer in alternate venue touring, often appearing in churches, camps, prisons, basements, festivals, kitchens and even taking to the streets, bringing his fans with him. With a voice described […]

BILL MILLER is an award-winning Native American recording artist, performer, songwriter, activist, painter, and world-class accomplished flute player. Over the entirety, Miller has produced over a dozen albums, received three Grammy Awards, numerous NAMA awards (including a “Lifetime Achievement Award) and led Wisconsin’s La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. He is now touring in support of a recent […]

Click on the Buy tickets widget to get tickets: OLD MAN LUEDECKE is a Canadian songwriter/banjo player/guitarist whose music is a mix of folk, bluegrass, and pop. He is one of Canada’s best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. A masterful banjo player with a storyteller’s heart, his narrative-driven folk songs are playful, coy, and […]

Round robin song circle led by TRICIA ALEXANDER– (performer, poet, healer, “with a voice, music and lyrics that resonate the heart”) done informally, not from the stage, no microphones. This is a lovely gathering of singers, songwriters, musicians and music appreciators, poets, and storytellers held regularly on the last Thursday of each month (except sometimes). Traditional Round Robin […]

James Lee has cancelled due to health issues. He hates cancelling shows, but sometimes one just has to.

Shullsburg, Wisconsin native ERNIE HENDRICKSON grew up on a steady diet of Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Jerry Garcia. These early heroes opened the gates to the deep well of American roots music which he continues to draw inspiration from. His 2007 solo record, Down the Road, of which the Illinois Entertainer deemed […]