Self-proclaimed “inspirational soul artist” Theresa Payne gets the same cheers as any act on a major stage in town for a national concert tour when she comes to the Loft and blesses the mic at Café Soul.
She owns the stages as she struts her plus-sized shape and showcases the range of her soprano voice, oozing confidence for her entire performance.
It’s all but impossible to believe that a few short years ago Payne was reluctant to take the stage at the monthly open mic series that showcases the best and brightest on the local music and poetry scene.
“There was really no place for local artists,” said Angela Brown, co-founder of Café Soul. “Our goal was just to create a platform for them to perform.”
Payne didn’t know that when Café Soul began in 2006, it was with artists like her – with plenty of talent, but no outlet to hone her craft.
A special edition commemorating its four-year anniversary will take place next Friday – featuring host Tendai and a special guest performer, 1990s R&B hitmaker Case.
And as they gear up for the event, the founders fondly reflect and are eager to celebrate.
Out of the vision for the Café Soul platform came opportunity: an opportunity to receive encouragement and feedback from fellow artists and music lovers and an opportunity for performers to grow.
“Our crowd is not like the Apollo,” Brown said. “They are much more forgiving.”
There was also opportunity and growth for Café Soul as a brand on the St. Louis music scene. They have been attached to major music events – most recently the Rising Icons tour, a collaboration with BET and Grey Goose featuring Melanie Fiona that stopped through St. Louis last week.
But on Friday, it will be all about Café Soul.
“We are still here,” said Café Soul co-founder Nichol Stevenson. “Despite moving to different venues and despite the economy, Café Soul is still going strong.”
The night will also feature some of Café Soul’s most favored alums to perform songs from the 1990s when Case carved a name for himself.
“I’m excited about welcoming him back to St. Louis and about that time in music too,” Stevenson said. “That was a time where if you were feeling someone, you didn’t have to say a thing. You could let the music speak for you.”
As they prepare for year five, there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude from the ladies who work hard to make sure that every third Friday, local artists and supporters of local music can convene at The Loft for an outlet.
“I can’t even tell people how much we appreciate everyone who has supported us over the past four years,” Brown said. “We have a following and couldn’t have done it without the support we’ve received year after year.”
Their initial goal to create opportunity and leave a lasting impression on the music scene. But they’ve expanded their goal to fill a void they have witnessed through shifting from four venues in as many years.
They are grateful to The Loft for offering them a space and being a wonderful host for Café Soul, but the ladies want to create a permanent, full-time home for themselves.
“That’s definitely he next step for Café Soul, and then we can program each night the way that we want,” Brown said. “Right now, there’s no reggae spot and no consistent jazz spot – so that’s something that we’re working towards every day.”
Café Soul’s 4th Anniversary Celebration starring Case will take place next Friday (September 17)at the Loft, 3112 Olive. Doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/cafesoulstl or call (314) 504-3075.
