Coffee Tub, Starbucks Present Musical Showcase

Coffee Tub Productions and the Starbucks on Steinway in Astoria are teaming up to present the fourth edition of their monthly musical showcase series. It will take place October 19 and go from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Starbucks located at 31- 44 Steinway St. near the R /V Steinway- Broadway stop. Local musicians gather every third Friday of the month to take part in the New York ritual of the marrying of coffee and art.

The event's organizer, Sean Tubridy, said, "The Showcase has become a hot spot for local talent to hone their chops before moving up to the Manhattan and Brooklyn open mic scene." Alex Arias, Starbuck's on Steinway store manager, said, "We are working with Sean and these young musicians to help bring about a renaissance of the coffee house culture that Starbucks was founded on back in Seattle while maintaining the corporate standard level of excellence that has allowed Starbucks to grow into the premier coffee shop in the nation."

Many of the artists who perform are either current or former Starbucks employees. Preston Edmands and the Wonderful Undertones were the winners of the 2007 Starbucks New York City Avant Grande musical contest and Mark Tubridy of Cyderobin is the assistant manager at the Austin Street Starbucks in Forest Hills. Many of the musical collaborations that are on exhibit at this showcase have been forged from a weekly jam session at Astoria Soundworks, also hosted by Coffee Tub Productions. "One of the most important things that we can do is to provide a place where musicians can come together and share their talents with their friends and neighbors in a nonthreatening, supportive atmosphere," Sean Tubridy said.

For a taste of what the showcase is all about check out the inaugural showcase video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5pd_D6Ui qI. For more information, contact Sean Tubridy at 212-730-5836, cell 203-216- 1191or e-mail seanmtubridy@gmail.com.