has been a pillar<\/a> in the LSU and greater Baton Rouge community since 1989, with many students and workers visiting the local coffee shop to study or finish up work over a nice cup of coffee.<\/p>\nFounder and owner of Highland Coffees Clarke Cadzow explained that he opened his shop 36 years ago as a gathering space for the community, and he holds that bringing joy to those who visit has always been the mission of his business.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe events we hold at our shop are an extension of what we do everyday,\u201d Cadzow said, \u201cwhich is to try to add a little joy to people\u2019s lives with excellent products served in a friendly and welcoming space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Highland Coffees has welcomed musical guests and hosted other such events since its opening \u2014 Cadzow estimates that the first events were probably held in the 90s \u2014 but Cafe Freq was a bit of an \u201cexperiment,\u201d as Cadzow put it. The ambient, techno music was a stark tone shift from the shop\u2019s usual jazz and classical playlists, but Cadzow ultimately decided to take the leap.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I had heard such great things about the Frequency events, I knew it would be fun,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The idea was first proposed by Cordoba, a longtime fan of Frequency. Though a cafe and a DJ group may seem like an unusual duo, bringing the two together made perfect sense to Cordoba.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realized that this community of people are all being brought together through music and dance,\u201d she said. \u201cHighland is an essential part of mine as well as others\u2019 community. So I brought up the idea of bringing the two together, and the guys were all for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each DJ brought their own style to the show. For example, audience members could relax to Slump Test\u2019s ambient bossa nova tunes, or stand up and dance to Device Operator\u2019s techno-style rave music. The mood was further set when the lights were turned off after dark, when the whole performance was illuminated by candles and a projector that added visual elements to the DJs\u2019 sets.<\/p>\n
One of the goals Cordoba had in mind when proposing Cafe Freq was to introduce Frequency to new audiences and expose Highland Coffees patrons to new music. Roy Hernandez, a regular at the coffee shop, found out about the event from the flyers hung up in and around the small business, and he was eager to see what the novel event was all about.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like seeing local artists,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cAnd I think it\u2019s always really fun to see new music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cafe Freq may have been the first event of its kind at Highland Coffees, but it certainly won\u2019t be the last, said Cadzow. In fact, fans of Frequency and regulars of Highland Coffees may get another performance in no time at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely hope to have another Cafe Freq event soon,\u201d Cadzow said. \u201cPerhaps in the next few weeks while the weather is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n