Local Church Spices up Saturday Nights with Bistro
Brooke Burger
Senior Staff Writer
As many students may already know, finding sources of entertainment in Monticello during the weekend can prove difficult. However, Monticello is home to a few entertainment gems, such as the Main Street Bistro.
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| Courtesy of The Main Street Bistro |
| Blues at the Bistro - Big Daddy 'O' plays the blues in the Delta along the Louisiana- Mississippi border. He played at the last Main Street Bistro Saturday, Sept. 13. |
“It’s the best-kept secret in town,” said Frank Ferguson, who selects the musical entertainment for the Bistro. “It’s a great evening when we have a bistro.”
The First Presbyterian Church, located on North Main Street, started the Main Street Bistro four years ago under the church’s Community Outreach Ministries. The Bistro team includes Ferguson, who is also the principal of Monticello High School; Louisa Smith, who is in charge of the Bistro’s food services; and Susan Cossey, who is in charge of donations.
The quarterly event occurs on Saturday evenings, and guests can enjoy two hours of musical entertainment and a meal for only $10 in a smoke-free, alcohol-free, family-friendly environment. Since its inception, Smith noted that the event has hosted as many as 100 guests and as few as 10, though the average falls around 45-50.
“We really wanted a place that young couples could come to for entertainment and bring their children,” Cossey said.
Ferguson described the Bistro’s atmosphere as that of an old-fashioned European bistro. Cossey pointed out that the candlelight and relaxed environment provide a cozy setting. Smith added that the event is not a dressed-up affair. She said the Bistro welcomes everyone from those dressed up in sequins to those dressed down in shorts and T-shirts.
All three members of the team mentioned their desire to have more guests from the University community. However, they felt that some students might think of the Bistro as a church function since a church hosts it, though Cossey points out that it is a community function, not a church function.
“We’re just here to provide fun entertainment,” she said.
Ferguson said that the church felt very strongly there was a need in the community where people could go to listen to an artistic presentation of music in a smoke- and alcohol-free environment. He noted that the typical church function could sometimes make people feel uncomfortable, but the Bistro is designed for the community.
“We wanted the entire community to feel comfortable at this event,” Ferguson said. “Community fellowship is something we can all share in.”
Cossey said she thought UAM students would have loved the last act the Bistro hosted. Big Daddy 'O', who got his start in New Orleans and has played blues music in the delta for more than 30 years, performed at the Sept. 13 Main Street Bistro event.
The Bistro, which has held about 15 or 16 events since its inception, hosts a variety of musical genres. Some past events include: local performers such as Executive Decision and Jed Clampit; and other performers such as John Autin and Tricia Walker.
“We’ve had (performers) from New Orleans to Nashville,” Ferguson said.
Smith added, “… and all points in between.”
The audience tends to reflect the variety of entertainment offered at the Bistro. Ferguson said the group usually hires professional entertainers, and many of the artists recognize the uniqueness of the venue.
Smith said the artists have to possess a certain quality of entertainment that appeals to a large audience. Though the Bistro does host a variety of local and non-local talents, Ferguson said the venue is acoustic-oriented.
Smith noted that the team is interested in new talent, and any interested persons should contact Ferguson. Ferguson said the team would possibly consider hosting a local group that would like to get its start at the Bistro.
“We have had local performers who have had a chance to cut their teeth here,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson noted that another side of the Bistro is providing the performers a place to share their music in a venue that is dedicated to promoting musical talents. He said the Bistro is very listener-oriented.
According to Smith, the food is just as eclectic as the performances. The menus change with every Bistro and are reflective of the season as well as the performance for the evening. The Bistro also serves a selection of coffees.
After the team prepares the menu, Cossey seeks out donations from members of the church and the community, and Smith prepares the meals. In addition to receiving donations for food, the church also recruits volunteers from the church to serve as waiters and busboys during the event.
The next Main Street Bistro is tentatively schedule for Nov. 1. Interested persons can find advertising information for the Bistro through the local press, the radio and the Arkansas Democrat Gazette’s Friday edition, which runs a weekend calendar. Individuals can also sign up on the Bistro’s postcard mailing list or e-mail list.
The Main Street Bistro hosts an event four Saturdays a year in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church located at 821 North Main Street in Monticello. The meal services begin at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.
For more information on The Main Street Bistro, volunteer services or musical performances, contact the Bistro team at 367-6883. Leave a message if no answer. More information can be found at The Main Street Bistro Web site or the First Presbyterian Church Web site.
All members of the local communities, as well as the UAM community are invited to attend The Main Street Bistro events.
Smith said, “We’re a group of people who like to get together and have fun for any excuse, and this (The Main Street Bistro) is one good excuse.”
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