A few favorites
Most suburban coffeehouses offer free parking, dessert snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, and acoustic music. Dress is casual, and the all-ages crowds range from about 50 people to up to 300. Cover charges are usually $8-$20. For a look at the scene in general, visit www.bostoncoffeehouses.org.
Here are some of the most established venues, particularly recommended for first-time visitors:
me & thee Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. Founded in 1970, this is the oldest continually running coffeehouse in New England. It is particularly known for its leisurely, chatty breaks, and for a vital audience that loves to get performers off-script. Shows run every Friday from September-May, with one show in December and none in January. Hispanic-spiced Texas songwriter Tish Hinojosa is there Oct. 1, and Irish singing legend Tommy Makem arrives Oct. 8.
781-631-8987, www.meandthee.org
Joyful Noise First Baptist Church, 1580 Mass. Ave., Lexington. This is among the most high-profile and best-attended coffeehouses in the country, located a few yards from Lexington's historic Battle Green. Shows are held monthly on Saturdays from October to May. Byrds founder Roger McGuinn, who is making his best music in years, is there Oct. 2. Reigning New England coffeehouse queen Cheryl Wheeler, hilarious one moment, heartrending the next, visits Dec. 4.
781-861-0142, www.joyfulnoisecoffeehouse.org
Linden Tree Coffeehouse Unitarian Church, 326 Main St., Wakefield. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Linden Tree hosts shows monthly on Saturdays. Chuck Hall, an insightful, engaging songwriter, is there Oct. 2, along with lilting Texas troubadour Claudia Russell. Melodic balladeer Bill Staines, to many the quintessential New England coffeehouse performer, headlines Nov. 6.
781-246-2836, www.lindentreecoffeehouse.org
Mozaic Room Avon Baptist Church, 119 N. Main St., Avon. Run by the church's pastor, Steve Gretz, a fine songwriter in his own right, this venue is known for its exceptional array of home-baked goodies - it often has food themes, such as pie night or chocolate night - and a penchant for topnotch guitarists. Shows run on Saturdays, roughly every two weeks from October to June. Fast-rising local songwriter and dazzling multi-instrumentalist Jake Armerding is there Nov. 13, and talented Southern songwriter Kate Campbell performs Dec. 4.
508-339-1109, www.mozaicroom.org
Coffeehouse Off the Square Old Ship Church Parish Hall, 107 Main St., Hingham. Every show opens with a brief open-mike, in which anyone can perform a song, poem, or story, which always gets the evening off to a quirky, neighborly start. Eloquent guitarist, bluesman, and songwriter Geoff Bartley performs Oct. 16.
781-749-1767,www.bostoncoffeehouses.org/OldShip/OldShip.html
