Wild Joe*s shows: Willy James & a Stroll w/ the AlleyKats

Cappuccino-paired live music comes standard with a stop into Wild Joe*s. Downtown Bozeman’s Coffee Spot is a great place to check out early evening and afternoon sets by local and traveling artists. And of course, their menu offers plenty of delicious caffeinated and other treats to enjoy alongside the tunes! Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Varga will perform on Friday, November 16th from 6–8pm. Coming from the fast paced punk scenes of his high school days to the blues of Austin, Texas, Varga always felt most at home writing honest songs on an acoustic guitar. Since moving to Nashville, he’s dug into the songwriting community, playing writer rounds across the city, and such staples as Whiskey Jam and BusCall. Varga’s sonic qualities bring to mind Jackson Browne, Ruston Kelly, Bright Eyes, and the 1975.
The next Open Mic Night will take place Saturday, November 24th from 6–8pm. Come for an evening of music performed by local musicians. Bring your guitar, sitar, zither, poetry, comedy, or theremin and take a turn up at the mic. Show Bozeman what you’re made of! Individual set lengths depend on the number of musicians who want to play. Sign-ups start at 5:30pm – first come, first served. Be sure to bring your friends and support live music in Bozeman! A modest contribution to the kitty will be divided by participating musicians at the end of the night. The more people who come, the more money in the pot. An additional Open Mic Night is set for Friday, December 7th from 6–8pm.
Willy James finishes off the month on Friday, November 30th. He’s a singer/songwriter from Dillon whose musical taste and style is varied, but always carries a hint of the blues. James is a spectacular lyricist and vocalist. His vocals have the soulfulness of yesterday’s greats like John Fogerty, Bob Seger, and Waylon Jennings, with lots of power and expression. Whether he’s singing a joyful melody or a tune of a broken heart, you will feel it. He’ll be performing mostly original songs, with some favorites thrown in.
                Kate & the Alley Kats bring a fun repertoire of holiday tunes to kick off the festive season during the Downtown Christmas Stroll on Saturday, December 1st from 4:30–7:30pm. While you’re strolling and shopping, stop into Wild Joe*s for a cup of java or tea with some delicious treats and festive holiday music on the side! Along with their eclectic repertoire of sassy swing, gutsy R&B, and torchy ballads, The AlleyKats will perform familiar holiday tunes that’ll have you singing and dancing along. Tongue-in-cheek tunes such as “Walking in Our Winter Underwear” and “Santa’s Sleigh” (sung to the tune of “Ghost Riders in the Sky”) will also add a little holiday humor for strollers.
AlleyKat performances feature Kate Bryan (vocals, guitar, percussion & clarinet) with Cliff DeManty (keys, vocal harmony) and Ron Schimpf (bass, vocal harmony). They’re also booking holiday parties now with plenty of music for cocktail hours, dinner or dessert shows. Call (406) 570-2839 to request a sampling of their holiday tunes, or log on to www.KateAndTheAlleyKats.com to have a listen.
Howard Beall & the Fake News are set for another afternoon show on Sunday, December 2nd from 1–3pm. The group is a collection of talented young artists from around the great state of Montana. They bring people together by playing groove-based music, specifically pulling from the jazz, rock, and funk genres. The band plays a blend of original compositions, standards, and modern songs with the intent of creating fresh sounds while still respecting the heritage and language of those before them.
Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot is located at 18 W Main St. in the heart of historic Downtown Bozeman. Learn more about these and other upcoming events at www.wildjoescoffee.com.