In olden times, many people believed the new moon had special powers, making it the best time to plant and begin new projects.  That notion appealed to the folks who started Haverhill's New Moon Coffeehouse in 1988.

"We decided on New Moon," says general manager Carol Allen, "because according to folklore, if you plant at the new moon, your crops grow better.  There's a power to that moon; it's a growing moon.  We thought it would be good for this new venture, to help it bloom, and because we wanted to help creative energy grow."

Shows are held monthly from September to June, with no show in December.  Attendance ranges from 20-350, with the average around 75.

"We have most of our concerts in the Murray Room, a small hall that can fit up to 180," says Allen.  "I love that space; it's beautifully decorated with woodwork, stained glass windows, and the acoustics are just fantastic.  When we're doing a bigger concert, we use the sanctuary, which is also a beautiful space, with a high, domed ceiling."

The New Moon is located right off Route 495, at the intersections of Routes 110 and 125, so fans from all over the greater Boston area can easily find it.  Allen says they have people who venture from Concord, MA, to Concord, NH, though the core audience comes from Haverhill and surrounding areas.  Parking is free on-street, and in two lots behind the church.  As at all BACHA coffeehouses, dress is casual, and everyone is welcome, from teens to seniors, singles to couples to families.

"We have always had as our mission provide folk music using the very broadest definition," Allen says.  "We try for a lot of diversity in styles and geography, single artists and small groups, though as it's turned out, we mostly feature contemporary singer-songwriters.  We also try to have lesser-known people along with the big stars of the folk world.  And we like to have an opening act, because we feel it's important to nurture artists, whether they're new in this area, or well known in other places, but not so much here."

And the snacks?  "We always have a wonderful variety of food," Allen says, "cookies, pies and brownies, along with some New Moon specialties: homemade carrot cake, and the world-famous Chocolate Decadence, which is a cake that's so thick it's almost like a candy bar.  We also have some fruit, crackers and cheese, and a nice variety of special, high-quality juice drinks and sodas, along with lots of teas and gourmet coffees."

When Allen thinks about the metaphor of the new moon, with its special growing powers, she thinks about supporting good music, but also about what communities need in order to grow.

"We have a lot of missions," she says.  "It's certainly important to the artists that we're providing this place where they can be heard without clinking dishes and drunks in the corner.  We also think it is important for the audience to have a place to hear high-qualilty music without having to deal with alcohol or cigarette smoke.  Nobody has to pay for parking, so they get a comfortable, affordable place to go to.  It is also wheelchair accessible.  Both the artists and the audience always comment on what a friendly place it is, well-run, a really enjoyable night out in a stress-free, fun, folky, family environment.  I love when we hear that, because that's just what we wanted to create."