This café exists to make a positive impact on the local, national, and global communities.
For the local community, Q Café holds weekly all-ages shows, monthly visual art exhibitions, and a variety of other events, many of which benefit the local homeless population as well as foundations such as World Aid and the Save Darfur Coalition.
For the national and global communities, organic fair-trade coffee is served and 10% of all the proceeds are donated to various non-profit organizations around the world. The café can also be rented out for personal occasions.
Name: Q Café
Founded: 2002
Location: 3223 15th Ave., Seattle, WA 98119
Booking contact: melissa@qcafe.org
Q&A With: Melissa Cushman, Music, Art & Rental Coordinator
What type of bands do you book?
Mostly folk, rock, pop, and singer-songwriter, but we have also booked hip hop, R&B, electronic, experimental, country, Americana, and bluegrass.
Why did you want to open a DIY venue?
The staff and volunteers at Q Café have a passion for music and wanted to create an all-ages space that supports the local Seattle music scene. We feel that music and other art forms have the potential to make a positive impact on people and communities by encouraging creative expression and dialogue.
Just as the Q Café aims to support artists with its space, artists who use the Café are supporting its efforts to foster community and social change.
What kind of crowd do you attract?
The Q Café is an all-ages venue, so we see a wide range of people who come to our shows. However, our crowds do all have one thing in common: they come for the music, without all the interruptions of the typical bar and venue scene.
How has the venue been an attribute to your community?
The Q Café is a community presence. Hundreds of homeless men and women have been helped through the resources that we collect in partnership with Quest Church’s To The Streets program.
Two families were given an opportunity to be placed into permanent housing [through this program]. We have raised over $10,000 for benevolent and justice causes like the Tsunami Fund, World Aid, Northwest Harvest, Save Darfur Coalition and many more.
Q Café is also committed to giving 10% of all café sales to local and global non-profit causes. The space is used by local business, neighborhood groups, study groups, churches, other nonprofits, moms groups and rented for all purposes — even weddings.
Have you been met with any challenges running a DIY venue?
Over the years, we’ve found that some artists who aren’t familiar with our space get turned off by the idea that we are a “café,” and think that our vibe won’t suit a live music show. The Q Café is unique from other cafés in that it has a 238-person capacity, a large stage, and an atmosphere that goes well with a variety of music genres.
Are there any significant musical acts or artists that have drawn a crowd or have had a significant performance?
The Q Café has hosted such national artists as Tyrone Wells, Ingrid Michaelson, Nickelcreek, Chris Tomlin, Shawn McDonald, and many local artists such as Smoosh, Tiny Vipers, Grand Hallway and Hoquiam.
What advice could you give those who are interested in opening their own venue?
Anyone interested in opening their own venue needs to think carefully about whom they want their audience to be and what their venue needs to have in order to attract a particular audience.
A team of passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers is absolutely essential. A thorough understanding of the local and national music scene is also a must.
What events do you have coming up?
On February 27, we will feature local musician Noah Gunderson with Garage Voice and The Barefoot Contingent. April 24 will be a great show with national artist Josh Hoge and Curtis Peoples, Tony Lucca, and Allen Stone.