For the last few years, the monthly concerts at Deer Creek Coffee House in Darlington have been increasing in popularity, to the point that last month's show drew its largest crowd.
The concerts, typically held the second Saturday of the month at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church at 1022 Main St. in Darlington are most often folk and blues, sometimes with a little jazz, organizer Jeff King said.
"I do it because I've been to these small venues before and it gives the community an opportunity to hear original music and not necessarily in a barroom setting all the time," King said. "We get together and have a cup of coffee. It's kind of a neat gathering of people in an intimate setting. "
The next concert is Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. and will feature Mike Agranoff, a minstrel, humorist and storyteller. The suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for students.
The artists who perform at the coffeehouse "love" those types of intimate settings and venues, King said.
"They like the fact that it's a listening room and they can tell stories that go along with their songs, stories of the road. They get to interact with the audience because they banter back and forth," he said.
During intermission, the artists have a chance to sell their merchandise, chat with the audience and sign CDs.
"I just love the whole setting of it. It's becoming more and more popular," he said.
The concerts run once a month September through June.
"We only do that frequently because we're all volunteers and we don't want to overdo it. I think that's the right frequency for our audience, also," King said.
While they try to stick to the second Saturday of the month, they will change the date to accommodate a particular artist they'd like to have. That's happening in April, when the concert will be on a Friday.
Last month's performance featured the father and son duo of Ken and Brad Kolodner, which drew 83 people. King, who called the turnout "phenomenal," said it probably would have been even more had the weather been better.
Performances average 55 to 60 people each month.
"This is our third year and the attendance average is increasing every year because word is getting out," King said.
He picks most of the artists, typically sticking with folk and blues artists.
The artists are paid for their performances; they are offered either a guaranteed minimum or a percentage of the door sales. Most, he said, take the percentage, usually the higher amount.
While Deer Creek Coffee House suggests a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students, no one will be turned away because they can't pay.
"We'll tell them to come in for the evening and enjoy themselves," King said.
People who want to contribute more, if they feel the show was exemplary, certainly can, he added.
The Coffee House also receives grants from the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, which allows them to keep the prices low. Otherwise, King said, they'd be asking $25 to $20 per person.