Nameless Coffeehouse facts for kids

The Nameless Coffeehouse, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a very special place. It first opened its doors in 1967. This makes it New England's oldest coffeehouse run entirely by volunteers! You can find it inside the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, right in Harvard Square. The Nameless Coffeehouse usually hosts six concerts each season. These shows feature amazing acoustic music and comedy acts. There's a small suggested donation to get in, which helps keep the coffeehouse running.

A Special Place for Music

Since it began during the folk music revival in the 1960s, The Nameless Coffeehouse has been a big part of the local music scene. It has helped many new performers at the start of their careers. The coffeehouse gives them a chance to practice their skills and perform for an audience that really enjoys their music. Today, The Nameless still loves to show off local singer-songwriters who perform their own original songs.

Famous Faces Who Played Here

Many well-known artists have performed at The Nameless Coffeehouse. These include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tracy Chapman, Patty Larkin, The Story (with Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball), Ellis Paul, Dar Williams, John Gorka, Bob Franke, Ric Ocasek, James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Geoff Bartley, and Greg Greenway. Even famous comedians like Andy Kaufman and Jay Leno have performed there! Fred Small, who is now the minister of the First Parish, has also played at the coffeehouse.

How It All Started

When The Nameless Coffeehouse first opened, students from Harvard University managed it. By the early 1970s, students from MIT and later Tufts University also joined in. For many years, until 1982, the coffeehouse was open on Friday and Saturday evenings during the school year. Back then, both the music and the snacks were free! People were encouraged to give donations, and they were always welcome.

Keeping the Music Alive

The Nameless Coffeehouse has gone through many changes over the years. It has faced many challenges to stay open and successful. Today, the small costs of running the coffeehouse are covered by the money collected at the door. They also get help from donated goods and services. The current team of volunteers are experienced and dedicated supporters of the local music scene. For example, Doug Scott has been the sound man since the 1980s!

Become a Volunteer!

The Coffeehouse still offers a limited number of free tickets to concerts for its volunteers. You just need to arrange this in advance with the volunteer coordinator. If you are interested in helping out, you can find more information about volunteer opportunities on The Nameless website.

Images for kids

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  The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard Square, where the coffeehouse is located.