Espresso Yourself Written by John Harrell Photo by Agi Janik It's standing-room-only at cafe Java Supreme near the heart of San Francisco's Mission District. All seats are taken and people stand elbow-to-elbow against the espresso bar, waiting for the night's poetry reading to begin. The thick aroma of cappuccinos and lattes fill the air as an espresso machine roars, echoing off the hardwood floors and narrow walls, muffling for a moment the room's scattered conversations. Despite the rude coffeehouse cacophony, the first act begins, kicking off day three of San Francisco's Fifth Annual Cafe Arts Month. Johnny Davis rushes in, minutes into the performance, removing his sweatshirt to reveal the Cafe Arts Month promotional T-shirt underneath. His lateness is forgiven. This is, after all, his baby. Davis is coordinator for the citywide celebration. And, as one Cafe Arts Month volunteer puts it: "Lately Johnny's been running around like a chicken with its head cut off." In some ways it's surprising that this small, goateed man with his soft-spoken southern accent is orchestrating--almost single-handedly--an event of this magnitude, while relying mostly on out-of-pocket support from artists and cafe owners. These are the very ones for whom the event is intended to celebrate. But it's Davis' determination and undaunted optimism that make it believable. "You hear about things being done on a shoestring," Davis says, eyes rolling. "This thing is being done with no shoes." Founded in controversy in 1993, when the City of San Francisco attempted to levy an entertainment tax on cafes hosting free poetry readings, the 5th Annual Cafe Arts Month features hundreds of events and is expected to attract more than 150,000 people. A project of the National Poetry Association, this grass roots festival spotlights the talents of emerging artists and undiscovered poets and musicians that define San Francisco's cafe culture. As Cafe Arts Month volunteer David Grayson explains, it's "about making the city aware of how many good artists it has, as well as how vital cafes are to them." "We tried to create some events that we thought would get highly publicized and reach into a more mainstreamed audience," says Davis. Featuring artists like acclaimed poets Adrianne Rich and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the festival also attempts to gather sources and communities from all art media that, according to Davis, might not have collaborated otherwise. The event features new shows such as the First Annual Bay Area Coffee Tasting & Golden cup Awards, and the Espresso Hell Cafe Crawl--a roaming procession of observers that explores numerous coffeehouses and cafes in a single evening. Reaching even into MUNI, more than 200 placards exhibiting original artwork and poetry are displayed in buses throughout the city, creating a sort of traveling art show. Proceeds from art sales and admission fees benefit the National Poetry Association. Pulling it all together hasn't been easy. Not by a long shot, says Davis. Besides obvious financial difficulties, the event's proportions make it a logistical brain-teaser. "I have to stay focused on what it's going to be like at the end of the month," he adds, explaining how each day brings about its own set of crises. "Today I found out that the invitations haven't been printed yet for our Muse at the Moon event that happens next week, and we're supposed to be mailing them today." Davis admits feeling a bit like Pollyanna when he first agreed to coordinate the festival. "It's the hardest thing I've ever done," he says. Although a commercial photographer by profession, Davis considers himself a relative newcomer to the art scene. "I came out late," he laughs. Ten years ago Davis traded in a substantial income and corporate life in North Carolina for ARTwork--a San Francisco-based fine arts curating business specializing in exhibitions, sales, rentals and commissions for all forms of media. Davis says the hardest part has been finding financial sponsorship for promoting the events. What support the event does have comes from volunteers and, as Davis is quick to point out, cafe owners. Owners like Java Supreme proprietor Joseph Dayyat. Since opening his cafe in 1994, Dayyat regularly hosts poetry readings and art exhibits, crediting Davis for the encouragement. "Part of it is to help artists in my community, but it is also to entertain my customers and generate business." "Cafe owners have been wonderfully loyal in supporting artists year after year," says Jeanne Powell, who coordinates Word Dancing, a poetry reading held weekly at Java Supreme throughout the month of festivities. "I enjoy making poetry come alive," she says. "In the real world I work for a major airline," she says. "In the world I prefer, I write poetry." And cafes provide the forum. "Many artists got their start hunching over their coffee in coffeehouses," she adds. "Whether anybody here tonight becomes rich or famous...who knows?" says Davis, nodding toward the performance area. "It's more important that they're given the encouragement to continue." "This will change my life--I'm not sure how, but it will. It's like running behind a train," Davis admits. But worn out or not, he considers this festival just a warm-up for the Sixth Annual Cafe Arts Month. "The idea this year was to make money for the National Poetry Association and the art community," he says. "But realistically we'll probably break even." The evening's first act is over and Davis' eyes shine as he contributes to the applause. "Next year, it would be nice to at least get some shoes," he laughs. |ISSUE #3|FEATURES|A&E|INVESTIGATIVE| |GREEN WATCH|IN MOTION|FYI|INDEX|