Jeremy Salsa performing during Carmela’s Open Mic Night. Photo by Reese Garrity.
By Jill Fox
In a coffee-house style reminiscent of any episode of Friends, Carmela, as it’s known to locals, is taking on a series of evening events to “perk up” the restaurant’s twilight attendance.
After a couple of successful comedy nights, co-owners and residents Rainier Abreu and Rafael Baretta, have decided to continue offering live entertainment for their local evening audiences.
Open Mic Night
Next up is open mic night by SHINE MSD, an organization that supports healing the Parkland community through the arts on February 22 at 7:00 p.m..
“They had a blast the first time they were here with their friends and their parents,” said Abreu.
He said that open mic night is about giving the students the space to release stress and express themselves through music or any kind of skill they have, from guitar playing to stand-up comedy.
Students can register to sing, play music, read poetry and more here: Open Mic Night.
Jazz Music
On February 28, Carmela will host the Glen Friedman Jazz Quartet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. The event will feature band leader and Parkland resident, Friedman on trumpet and piano, as well as three of South Florida’s best musicians on sax, bass and drums.
Abreu recognizes the opportunity to bring the community together and says there aren’t a lot of options around Parkland for a relaxing night out.
“This is what we want to offer, nothing fancy, just to go out and listen to music, and have a glass of wine or a beer,” he said.
With one event geared towards students, and another focusing on contemporary adults, this gives resident coffee drinkers a chance to check out Carmela’s vibe at night.
Carmela Coffee Company is located at 7967 N. University Drive.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Author Profile
- Jill Fox is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. She has worked in public relations and television for over 20 years. Fox lives in Parkland with her husband and their two children.
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