The Coffeehouse Off the Square in Hingham is known to most of its fans as the Old Ship Coffeehouse.  Located across the street from that landmark Hingham church, and sponsored by its community outreach program, the coffeehouse is held on the third Saturday of the month from September to May; except December, when an annual Sunday afternoon holiday folk music program is held.  This year, it will be Aine Minogue's ever-popular Celtic Christmas.

The hall is a spacious yet intimate, wood-warm hall, with a hand-built terrazzo, or labyrinth, floor.  Tables and chairs convert the hall into a cozy coffeehouse setting. Attendance averages 65-100, though peak shows hold 200.  Concerts begin with a half-hour open mike, in which anyone from the community can sign up to perform for a few minutes.  Acts have ranged from songwriters and poets to jugglers and acrobats.

Parking is available free on-street, and in a large lot behind the hall.  As at all BACHA coffeehouses, dress is casual - "come as you are" is the only dress code - and all ages are welcome.  Food consists of home-made cakes, pies and pastries, cider, coffee, teas and soft drinks.

Of the headline acts, coordinator Jim Watson says, "The music is diverse, though it tends to be traditionally rooted somehow; with mostly singer-songwriters, some Celtic and world music, and a little jazz thrown into the mix.  The acts we bring in tend to have something to say in their songs, but not to be preachy in the way they do it.  There are just real things about life inherent in the songs they sing."

The coffeehouse is run as a benefit for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, which supports a range of community-based charities.  Nearing its 20th season, it draws loyal audiences from all over the South Shore, and even from the Boston area; and is known as a friendly, sociable place for folks of all ages to spend an evening.

"You can be just as social or as private as you like," says Watson, "but the coffeehouse is very friendly, and a particularly comfortable place for singles to come.  It’s very congenial, and the audience is known for being very attentive to the music.  I think people get to feeling comfortable here very quickly."