See and Hear Barista Mark Perform

We all know how baristas are often artists who count on their barista work for stable income while they pursue their art endeavors.  It just so happens that one of your favorite Overflow baristas is a guitarist with exceptional skill and resume.  Here's a run down:

Mark Anderson (Chicago native, Code name: "RogerTango")

• Masters in Classical Guitar Performance at San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Adjunct Professor of Guitar at Illinois Wesleyan University
• Guitar Instructor at The Academy of Movement and Music in Oak Park
• Performed the U.S. premier of “Rising Spirals” by award winning composer Chinary Ung

In his cover letter to apply at Overflow, Mark wrote,

"As a musician, I have learned to appreciate the full aesthetic of everything I engage in. Coffee is not a drink, it is an experience that I can create and share with a customer."  

You can see why we hired him.  Now, as part of the Daystar Center concert series, come see and hear him perform along with Necati Emirzade.  Together, they make Duo Tandem.  In addition, Zach Lehner will be displaying art before/after and creating live art during the performance.

Here are the details:

Thursday, April 17 and Saturday, April 19 (same show both dates)
7:00pm - two 45 minute sets with an intermission
General Admission: $20, includes gourmet appetizers
Bring your own beer or wine or purchase a beverage from Overflow.
Advance tickets are encouraged.  You can get them here.

Still not convinced to come???  Hear some samples of their work here.

Film Screening Review

On Tuesday, February 19 we screened The United States of ALEC in partnership with Common Cause.   Some students from Roosevelt University were in the audience.  They are taking classes related to social entrepreneurship and are getting hands-on experience here at Overflow.  Here's what a few had to say about the screening...

"The United States of ALEC Film Screening really motivated me to get informed! It is mind-blowing how many things are going on behind closed doors in our government, at the expense of our livelihood. I began to see why Benjamin and Brian, from Common Cause, are so passionate about their movement. It is imperative that we restore our democracy! I am going to do my part by voting next week!" - Erika M.

"After watching The United States of ALEC, I have a better grasp of what ALEC is and how it affects all of us. I hope to stay in touch with Common Cause and help create awareness to stop ALEC from privatizing everything." -Felix E.

"I really enjoyed the movie. The room had really good acoustics and the view was good. You guys organized the event really well." -Daniel P.

The next film we're screening is Danny from North Korea on March 19.  This film is perfect for those who love an inspiration story.  It's also great for those interested in media and world change.  More info is here.

This Month at Overflow!

There's a lot happening this month.  September seems to be the time to make things happen.  Click on the name of each item for more information.

• Saturday, September 1 - Open Mic & More! @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)
• Saturday, September 8 - Kids Story & Music Time @10am
• Saturday, September 15 - Greater South Loop Association Community Meeting @ 9am
• Saturday, September 22 - Kids Story & Music Time @11am 
• Thursday, September 26 - The Price of Sugar Film Screening @ 7pm

Also, in our building but sponsored by other groups are the following...

• Tuesday, September 4 - Daystar Center Community Classes Begin
• Sunday, September 9 - You Can Hear God (hosted by Vineyard South Loop) @ 6:30pm
• Thursday, September 13 - Film Club screens Call Northside 777 (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7pm
• Saturday, September 15 - Songs from a Catholic Childhood (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm

Now Hiring: Administrative Assistant

We're hiring an administrative assistant to join the Overflow team.  This is NOT a barista position.  For details, download the job description. 

Thanks for voting... Next steps for the fall

Thanks to all who voted in our recent poll.  The results are at the bottom of this post.

For those who might be interested in doing more and shaping the future of 1550 S. State and its impact on the South Loop, the Daystar Center is putting together a "Task Force" for the 2011/12 School Year.  Here's the info about it.

The Daystar Center is a beautiful newborn, but it’s still a newborn. It needs continued attention and care as it gets on its feet. This volunteer Task Force is being formed with the purpose of developing, promoting, and implementing programming for the Daystar Center. The Task Force will usually meet monthly from August 2011 to May 2012. If you would like to shape the Daystar Center and help it move to the next level, please download and complete this survey to express your willingness to be on the Task Force.

We encourage anyone who might be interested to complete the survey and attend the first meeting on August 9. They will definitely be talking about some projects that Overflow and Daystar Center plan to do together this fall, including musical performances and social gatherings. Plus, it's a good resume builder and way to give back to your neighborhood.  :)

Community.

I cannot express in words how much my friends and family mean to me, especially in my ventures to start a non-profit.  But, let me try...

I've been reminded recently that when I'm alone a lot (like when working from home) I totally start doubting myself and what I'm doing.  But when I work on things along with my friends, family, committee, board, etc.  I feel much better about where Overflow is headed.  I don't think it's that I'm overly critical of myself.  Rather, I'm convinced that community is better than isolation - that working together is much more fulfilling that working alone.

So, thank you to all those people working and dreaming alongside me and letting my work and dream alongside them.  Together we are mightier than we are individually.  "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." - Aristotle.

You know what else makes me feel good, comments on my posts.  No one's commented for a long time.  Why not post comment really quick???

An Opportunity to Change the World

We're now accepting applications for the Set Up Shop Committee. What does that mean? Here are the details:

Overflow is now seeking individuals to join our Set Up Shop Committee. This committee will work together to brainstorm, plan and problem-solve creative ways for Overflow to become the robust, sustainable organization we were designed to be. This committee will consist of individuals from many different backgrounds and expertise. Most importantly, we promise to make this committee fun and fruitful! No boring, unproductive meetings.

Serving on a non-profit committee is a great way to build your resume, gain work experience you may not be able to gain at your workplace, do something to give back, and make the world a better place. Many of the details for the committee have not been fully developed because we want this committee to be crafted by its members.

If you are interested in joining our Set Up Shop Committee please download the application at: http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/committeeapplication.pdf. Applications are due January 8, 2010. The purpose of the application is to let us know what you're looking to get out of being a part of the committee. Don't get too stressed out about it or anything. You're not interviewing for a job.

Questions? Contact Brandon Neely at brandon@overflowcoffeebar.org.

Overflow Coffee Connections December 2009

The December newsletter can be viewed by click below or by downloading from:
http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/200912OverflowCoffeeConnection.pdf.

On the Need for a Team

Someone I know likes to say, "Teamwork makes the dream work." On the one hand, I've always known this to be true. There isn't much you can do without a team of people coming together to make it happen. This idea of teamwork making the dream work is becoming more and more of a reality every day in the journey towards seeing our dream come true.

On the other hand, I also believe that timing is essential to getting people to be on the team. I don't want to ask someone to be on the team before I have anything for them to do because then their motivation will fade before they actually start doing anything. But it's hard to feel so alone in this because there aren't a lot of people helping yet. I guess there's a balance that needs to be found. We're looking for that balance and hope we find it soon.

More to come...