There is a puzzle within the name of the Ivy Chord
Coffeehouse,
which has been bringing great acoustic music to Reading since 1999.
"We have a lot of ivy growing on our church," says director Beth
Murray,
"When people in Reading think of the church, a lot of them think of
that
ivy, and we wanted to have the word in the title; but for musicians,
there’s
another meaning. The first two letters of ivy form the roman
numeral
IV, which musicians use to describe chords. So it's the Ivy
Chord,
because it reminds people of the church, but for those of us who love
to
find subtle little meanings in things, it’s also the IV chord."
Shows are held in a small, wood-warm sanctuary with beautiful acoustics
and
comfortable pew seating. Like many church coffeehouses, the Ivy
Chord
grew out of a desire to create something that would benefit the entire
community.
"We really wanted to do something that would draw people in to enjoy
the
lovely acoustics of that room," says Murray, "whether or not they had
anything
to do with the church."
The coffeehouse produces three shows a year, including a popular winter
contra
dance. Attendance averages between 50 and 80 per show, and as at
all
BACHA coffeehouses, dress is casual. Parking is free in a lot
behind
the coffeehouse and on street. Music ranges from contemporary
songwriters
to Celtic and traditional American music, from small ensembles to solo
performers.
Asked to describe the kind of food served, Murray says immediately,
"Lots!
Everything is provided by friends of the church, and it’s all food you
can
just pick up and eat: cookies, brownies, fruit, candy, cheese and
crackers."
One thing that sets the Ivy Chord apart from most community
coffeehouses is its annual winter contra dance.
"As much as I love concerts, you are sitting with your thoughts to
yourself,
just listening," says Murray. "The dance is a lot more
interactive,
but still with great acoustic music to enjoy. The contra dances
are
very friendly; you don’t have to come with a partner, you can come with
children.
People get to know each other a little."
While they have a core group of professional contra dance musicians
leading
the dance, they also throw open the stage to people who bring their
instruments,
and wish to play along. The idea is to make the stage as
welcoming
a place as the dance floor.
"We're not there to make money, or deal with a cast of
thousands,"
says Murray. "We're just a friendly little church, and we want to
extend
that friendliness."
