OUR MISSION:

GIVE BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BY CREATING UNIQUE AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES AND PROJECTS THAT HELP

THOSE IN NEED. 

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We are an all-volunteer organization. We have no paid staff, but we gratefully accept donations and sponsorships to help fund our projects. 

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We raise money for nonprofits and very specific, targeted projects. We do this by creating art inspired experiences where guests donate to one cause per concert or project.  

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Craftsman Cafe started in Jim & Laure Connell's living room.

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Jimmy loves art. He also loves live music, connecting people, and giving back to the community.

 

He talked his generous wife Laure into moving all the furniture out of their living and dining room so they could hold a house concert for friends on a cold, snowy day in February (it was Jimmy's birthday, but he didn't tell anyone).

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He set out to gather musicians and create a set list. From the start, he wanted to use the Cafe as a way to connect musicians to one another. Introductions were made, a rehearsal or two were held, and the show was scheduled. 

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Being a marketing guy, Jimmy figured he would give the evening a name and logo. He wanted to do things a little different. Instead of sending e-vites and emails, he developed a story for the evening and sent letters and invitations in the mail. That tradition continues to this day. Thanks to our friends at James W. Smith Printing, those invitations are now legendary among guests.

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Typically when you get invited to someone's house, the first question is, "what can we bring?" Jimmy wanted to change that, too. He and Laure planned the night and provisions and rather than bringing a dish, he invited everyone to drop a donation 'in the hat' if they enjoyed their evening and experience. No commitment, no pressure. Donations would be forwarded to a local organization doing important work in the world. 

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Not only were guests incredibly generous, they also wanted to host shows themselves! Craftsman Cafe was born. 

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Hosts would secure the provisions, the invite list, and Jimmy & friends would produce the music and set everything up.

 

Craftsman Cafe has gone on to produce 30 shows and events, as well as other community projects. It has developed into a creative non profit that consistently produces unique experiences that pay it forward. 

 

Thanks for reading this far, and thank you for your interest in the Cafe. 

 

JimmyC 

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Craftsman Cafe is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization

Our board:

Jimmy Connell

Joy Bach

Brian Floriani

Matthew Smith

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