Atlanta’s Apache Cafe : Coffeehouse Style; Red Carpet Vibes

Picture it: Early 90’s; the address: 64 3rd Street in midtown Atlanta. If you’ve just walked in, then you’re probably attempting to step over and around some dozen people sitting on the floor, Indian-style, around a make-shift stage. Others will be sprawled out on ratty old donated sofas and chairs. The walls are brick. The lighting is dim. Nothing matches, and no one cares. You can get a glass of wine, or a cappuccino, and see all sorts of characters fall into the place. Some are wearing polo shirts and slacks. Some have Mohawks or afros. Others are simply sheathed in their own personal styles. More than likely there is a dreadlocked poet on stage, reciting the muses of his (or her) intimate daily struggles. There might be some musical accompaniment. Or maybe not. Either way, if you were in a little place called the Yin YangCafÃ?© around this time, you’re more than familiar with the scene just described. Fast forward to the “New Millennia” and the scene changes just a little. No longer is this sweet little spot called Yin Yang, but rather the Apache CafÃ?©. The area on the floor, previously occupied by humble gatherers, has now been cordoned off with a black velvet rope. The yard-sale sofas and chairs have all been replaced with matching chrome and black cafÃ?© table sets. But it seems that now, unless you’re the 4th person through the door on any given night, you won’t get to sit down at any of them-that is, unless you have a reservation.

The Apache CafÃ?© has a long-standing reputation for being “The” spot to haunt if you’re at all into the underground arts and music scene in Atlanta. The cafÃ?© is open (7) nights a week, and caters to many different types of artistic goings-on. As a matter of fact, the venue has increased in popularity ever since it was re-opened under the Apache name. In addition, the restaurant has received many local accolades, including BEST VENUE at Atlanta’s 2003 and 2004 Undergrammy’s. So what’s the problem with one of Atlanta’s hottest artistic venues? Absolutely nothing if you’re coming to “See” rather than “Do”. Like any other venue in Atlanta, there is the invisible red tape that comes along with being an independent musician/singer in Hotlanta’s underground music scene. But for some reason Apache’s facelift seems to have attracted every self-proclaimed “Neo-Souler” from every nook and cranny in Georgia.

If you’re a newbie, coming to the Apache CafÃ?© to perform at one of their Open Mics, you should be forewarned that showing up early won’t guarantee you an early spot on the stage. These coveted positions are reserved for the underground scene’s Elite: the hip-hoppers, spoken word zealots, and eclectic stage candy who are typically friends of friends of friends of the host and/or organizer of the event. Come to think of it, even those coming to “See” rather than “Do”-ironically, possess more theatrics than the performers on stage. You’ll often find them, draped in [insert ‘Hot Neo-Soul Outfit’ here], propped and posed over various surfaces (even the mantel!)-paying more attention to who might be watching them, than the people on stage they paid money to see. Surely, this kind of “be seen” behavior is popular everywhere. But at Apache CafÃ?©, the place where full-scale diversity is supposed to be embraced, it appears that unless you’re down with the Neo-Soul movement (and what is that by the way?)-you’re not considered eclectic enough to be considered eclectic. On certain nights, it can feel just as brutal as “Amateur Night at the Apollo.” But remember, the Apollo it is not. While remaining a legend in Atlanta’s underground scene, the Apache CafÃ?©’s aura of artificial modesty can be a bit offensive. This sentiment may seem a little unfair to those who truly frequent the cafÃ?© as an artistic release. And in the trendy venue’s defense, out of its bowels have sprung some disgustingly talented individuals. The Apache CafÃ?© is a beautifully urban joint with a solid menu, and an entertaining line-up of events. But as with all entertainment venues, you’ll only have as good a time as you allow yourself.