We’ve been having a great time with special events this month at The Calapooia Brewing Company! February 4th was the 13th Annual Greater Albany Rotary Club Crab Feed, which, if you’ve done the math, has been occurring in our space since before Mark and Laura took it over. Over 800 people came through our doors that day, doing their part to put a dent in the local Dungeness population. Then there was Valentine’s Day and  we put on a 4 course meal including Prime Rib and Steelhead and John Shipe played romantic songs. So what’s next? Well there is Fat Tuesday and it’s a leap year, so February is an extra day long. I’d say that’s cause for celebration.

In the mean time, there’s music. Lots and lots of good music. Thursday’s are a rotation of local bands that play the same numbered Thursday of every month, Rusty Hinges, Wild Hog in The Woods and Rough Jazz. Every once in a while we have a guest appearance by another local favorite for a little variety. Every Saturday is our music showcase where we are entertained by singer/songwriters, folk groups, rock bands, jazz ensembles and just about every other kind of musical entertainment you’ve heard of. Every other Friday, or so, is a special musical highlight night where I’ve booked someone very special, or else I’d already filled all my Saturdays and I just had to get this band in before next winter!

On Sundays, something very unique occurs at the ‘Pooia. Lots of places have a blues jam at their establishment, most often occurring on an off business day where local musicians can come jam together and the house doesn’t usually pay them. But what has been happening every Sunday at the ‘Pooia for the last 3 or 4 years is something notable indeed. The brains of the outfit is a fellow named Froggy, who’s been heading up this shindig since it’s inception not long after the opening of Calapooia Brewing. Joined in late 2007 by Dennis Monroe, the heart of the blues jam, a sort of alchemy began. With shredding guitarists, Derek Zane and Steven (who’s last name escapes me) as the core of the jam, a who’s who of Oregon (and now they’re coming from other states!) blues players make cameo appearances and bring fresh juice to an already dynamic compilation. This last Sunday, we enj0yed a phenomenon known as Diva Day, wherein spectacular female vocalists came and dazzled a packed pub. So if you’ve never been to a blues jam, you should come check it out. It never disappoints. They only occasionally take a Sunday off, so you might call the pub just to be sure.

On February 8th we hosted our first Science Pub, in which a chemist from the University of Oregon came and gave a presentation on nanotechnology. It was enlightening, fascinating and fun and we plan on making this a regular occurrence. Evidently, this Science Pub thing has been going on for some time in the United Kingdom and as our pub culture continues to evolve here in the states, I think we’ll see more of this. I am excited to bring this tradition here to Albany, Oregon and will post the date on our events calendar as soon as we’re set for the next one!

There are other things on the horizon for our big, little pub and we are excited for the year ahead. Check our music/events page for what’s happening this weekend and after and I’ll strive to bring you more information on what’s coming up. Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you here at the ‘Pooia!

Cheers!

Paulrus

Once there was an early Christian cleric who was found to be naughty in the sight of the Emperor of Rome. Before he was martyred, it is said he left a note for his friend, the jailor’s daughter, which he signed, “From your Valentine.” Later, in the year 496 of our Common Era, Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honor St. Valentine, or so the story goes.

A sanguinous beginning to be sure, and surprising it never found it’s way into Shakespeare’s work, fond as he was of tragic lovers. Whether or not there was something untoward going on between the cleric and the jailor’s daughter, it was certainly before priests were disallowed from the joys of love-making, so who’s business is it, really? Whatever the case, over time February 14th became the day of lovers, celebrated with flowers and candy and dinner reservations that someone better not have forgotten to make. So, lest we forget…

Beginning at 6pm on February 14th, we will dress ourselves up a little, maybe put some vases with pretty flowers on the table, perhaps even a candle or two. In addition to our regular menu, which of course is fabulous in it’s own publican right, we will be serving a four course dinner with your choice of two entrees; Oregon Natural Meats Prime Rib, or locally caught, Wild Steelhead. We will suggest a pairing of one of our beers or an Oregon wine for each course. Or you can order your favorite to go along with your meal.

At 7pm we welcome Eugene, Oregon singer-songwriter, John Shipe as he plays the strings of your heart in his own skillfull way. Check out this recent ode to an unfairly maligned breed of man’s best friend.

Reservations are available and going fast, so please call and make yours today. Reservation times start at 5:45pm, music and dinner end at 9pm. If you have a hard time getting through to the pub, you are welcome to make reservations on-line, just remember to leave your name and number so we can call you back and confirm.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you then!

Cheers!

Greetings traveler, come in. Grab a beer, a seat and menu and abide awhile. This Saturday, September 4th, we welcome back to the best little pub in the valley, that fine singer/songwriter of the Northwest, JOHN SHIPE. John and his music are a real Cascadian product; stripped down, honest, without affect. He sounds like the voice of our dream-self, shown up for another day of school without our clothes on. Here is a man who has come by his material the hard way, as it seems all the best song-writers have. There is quality of assurance, not of possessing the answers but of knowing the right questions to ask. He is various, musically, drawing from folk, rock and pop influences to provide his sound with a depth that matches his lyricism. His is a sound that you are unlikely to hear on any radio-station not publicly owned. But to hear him live, you only need get yourself on down to the Calapooia Brewpub this Saturday and heed the first two sentences of this post. On that note, I leave you with this link. Take a few minutes and check him out. www.myspace.com/johnshipemusic.