UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • November 2015 • 27 by Shekeyna Black •
Shekeyna@AMiracleProductionAMP.com
SONOMA COUNTY, CA. ~ Community-minded hub of Sonoma County nestled on the quintessential main street of down- town Cotati, the inviting Redwood Café has welcomed patrons for 21 years. Michael and Lesley Mc- Cullaugh are co-owners of Red- wood Café along with their partner Mustapha ‘Moose’ Jamal. Additionally, the McCullaugh’s co-own Aqus Café in Petaluma with partner John Crowley. Michael McCul- laugh explains the overall phi- losophy, “We co-share spaces in
regard to promoting each
other [venue] as best we can. We also promote community stuff as well, whatever it may be; music, arts, dance, anything and everything that anybody wants to be the ambassador of, they can co-share our spaces. We like to work with them and make things happen.” Redwood After Dark, the
live entertainment aspect of the Redwood Café, hosts music and other events nearly every night of the week. Local, re- gional and occasionally nation- al and international bands grace the stage. The venue features a sound and light system, appro- priate for the size of the space, which enhances the ambiance. Redwood Café and Aqus Café are known for affordable, deli- cious food. The attentive and cheerful staff, at both of these family-friendly venues, plays a big part in making the expe- rience so special. The music program fi rst started at Aqus Café, and then due to size con- straints and no room for people
Musical Notes in Sonoma County
to dance, the live entertainment component was expanded to Redwood Café. McCullaugh refl ects on Red- wood Café that, “the goal was to
create a
space where we could actually sup- port hard- working
tor” aspect that
bands that are doing social me- dia, doing everything right.” He emphasizes the “incuba- gives bands
a place and an opportunity to play in front of a receptive audience. Evolving overtime, “slowly but surely making it into a nice venue where you would want to come and hang- out” McCullaugh says of his all ages inclusive establishment. “My heart would love the café to be a nice music venue where we get bands that love to play” McCullaugh expresses his gratitude for the “family of musicians” who perform at Redwood Café.
He encourages people to ven- ture out at night to support lo- cal bands and “have a little so- cial time with your neighbors.” Redwood Café is located at 8240 Old Redwood Highway in Cotati. Aqus Café is off the beaten path at 189 H Street in Peta- luma. Both
venues feature rotating visual art exhibits created by tal-
ented local artists, in addition to an array of good food, and inspiring music.
A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read. ~The Talmud UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • November 2015 • 27
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