The Mary Byrd Brown Project

THE MARY BYRD BROWN PROJECT

The Mary Byrd Brown Project is "Closed for the Season"
Thanks, Friends
Press Release .pdf for Media
About the Mary Byrd Brown Project
A Little Bit of History
Reservations & Venue Info.

Annapolis'
Mary Byrd Brown Project
is "Closed for the Season"

The Mary Byrd Brown Project will rest for the remainder of 2005. The last concert held was on May 6, 2005. There will be no MBB Project concerts on the first Fridays of June - December, 2005 at 49 West Coffeehouse in Annapolis, MD. Mary's present goal is to resume the concert series in 2006.

In the meanwhile, 49 West Coffeehouse will continue to feature top-shelf performing artists on the first Fridays of June-December, 2005. Be sure to check out the 49 West Coffeehouse web site for more information on their entertainment schedule, fabulous winebar, art gallery, breakfast/lunch/dinner menu and more.

The Mary Byrd Brown Project deeply hopes to reconnect with you again in 2006. We deeply appreciate your continual support of our musical community.

With gratitude,
Mary Byrd Brown & 49 West Coffeehouse

Christina Muir harmonizing with MBB at Mary Byrd Brown Project First Friday at 49 West
Photo by Doug Coulson

Christina Muir and MBB rocking the house at Mary Byrd Brown Project First Friday at 49 West
Photo by Doug Coulson

Thanks, Friends

Thanks, friends, for filling in for Mary as she continues to progress, getting closer and closer to returning to the stage. She will miss seeing you all again this month, but rest assured she's doing all the right things to reunite with you again. She's getting stronger and stronger! (And who knows, body willing, she might pop in and surprise you this month!) Thanks, everyone, for keeping the Spirit growing and glowing! Mary's "Split-Bill/Guest Artist/Showcase" at 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery in Annapolis MD continues to be a consistent special attraction and favorite pick among Annapolitans.

About the Mary Byrd Brown Project

Folks are traveling from afar afield to check out this unique concert, typically in a shared-bill/special guest/showcase format that allows Mary to share her interests and introduce her community to the outstanding talent and contagious energy of some of her fellow musical colleagues.

Every first Friday of the month (unless MBB is touring) holds unpredictability and excitement, as each show features a new artist, lots of spontaneity and some good ole' homegrown fun. Always something a little different, and a little something for everyone.

While Mary continues to recover in her battle with chronic advanced Lyme Disease, many great guest hosts are stepping in to nurture the tradition, including Christina Muir of Hot Soup!, Sue Richards and Carolyn Surrick of Ensemble Galilei, Catfish Hodge and many more top-shelf performing artists.

Mary is steadfast in continuing to bring you top-shelf music every first Friday of the month until she is back in the saddle.

What are the objectives of the Mary Byrd Brown Project? FUN. LOVE. Muse. Comradeship. Creativity. Love. Laughter. Experimentation. Spontaneity. Art. Warmth. Freedom. Change of Pace. Exploration. Newness. New Horizons. New Steps.

Along side Brian and Sara Cahalan, the owners of 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery, Mary was inspired and determined to help them provide a venue for artists to explore and share other facets of their artistry; she believes that many performers tend to get boxed into to their regular performance mode, and that it is refreshing and inspiring to step out of our comfort zone, out of our little boxes, and explore the great beyond. She is always so gratified and exhilarated to see her fellow troubadours glow in the Muse after these shows.

A Little Bit of History

...a personal note from Mary...

The cafe opened December 27, 1995. I was the first music to arrive in the room, and I helped to get things started in November of 1996. I was determined, excited and inspired to help create and support an intimate, appreciative listening room for original artists. For eight going on nine years now, I've somehow managed to hold the first Friday of every Month at the cafe. In the beginning, I played solo every month, but I soon discovered that it was difficult to keep a regular monthly gig fresh with new material, since I was traveling much more. Plus, I wanted to grow and learn and I didn't want to get bored.
So, after a while, I was inspired to help create a wonderful collaborative "folk-jazz" fusion project with jazz instrumentalist and composer, Rob Levit. I learned a vast amount from Rob, and I truly blossomed as a writer, instrumentalist, vocalist and performer. What an experience. I am truly grateful for it. For a few years, we enjoyed great turnouts, and more importantly, wrote and performed a lot of really wonderful material with as the Brown-Levit Project. As life and evolution dictate, things changed, and Rob and I went our separate ways to explore new frontiers.
But I still wanted to keep the first Friday fresh and unique somehow. My goals changed. I wanted the first Friday to be special -- without too much pressure -- enough pressure in the biz, so I wanted this to feel really warm and comfortable. So, I launched the Mary Byrd Brown Project.. Thus, it was born!
And things changed again, once I was diagnosed with severe advanced Lyme Disease, and now, after nearly two years, I have disappeared from sharing my music with others.
I believe in community, and I believe in the true essence of our souls having an opportunity to shine and to open hearts. To all of my fellow performers: Thanks keeping that little place on the stage warm and fuzzy for me. :) And to all of my supporters? Thanks for continuing to show up, support and embrace the beautiful Life of music. We can't do it without you.

Reservations & Venue Info.

Reservations are not required but very strongly encouraged, as the cafe offers limited seating. Please call 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery at 410/626-9796 for reservations for the 8 pm or 9:30/10pm shows. Non-smoking, listening venue. Enjoy a top-shelf concert in an intimate atmosphere. Lite fare, dinner, full bar, candlelight. And most of all? Great company and a lot of fun. Tickets for this show are $15, added to your check at the end of the show. The cafe is located at 49 West Street in Annapolis, Maryland.

See Mary's Schedule for more details! Please Note! Mary's show sometime shifts from the 1st Friday of the month depending on MBB's touring schedule.