March at Tenn Street: Art, Jazz, Spring Flavors & Good Vibes

Is it just us, or did March absolutely FLY by? Between gallery openings, live jazz, spring arriving, and all the incredible moments in between, this month has been one for the books (pun very much intended). Let's recap everything that made March at Tenn Street Coffee & Books so special.

A Decade of Printmaking: 10 Years Print Show

The highlight of our March art calendar was undoubtedly the opening of our 10 Years Print Show! A milestone exhibition celebrating a full decade of fine art printmaking at Tenn Street Coffee & Books!

Our opening reception on March 11th was an incredible evening of art, community, and connection. The space was buzzing with energy as guests explored stunning intaglio prints, screen prints, and more experimental fare from artists who've become part of our gallery's DNA.

What made this exhibition especially meaningful is the dedication of the featured artists:

🎨 Kathie Lucas - 10 years of showing at Tenn Street
🎨 Sasha Thackeray - 10 years of showing at Tenn Street
🎨 Dawn Leopardi - 7 years of showing at Tenn Street
🎨 Mark Dalessandro - 7 years of showing at Tenn Street

Think about that for a moment. These artists have been part of our story for nearly as long as we've had walls to hang art on. Their commitment to this annual show, their evolution as printmakers, and their willingness to share their creative journey with our community year after year, that's something truly rare and worth celebrating.

Printmaking is one of the oldest art forms in the world, yet watching these four artists push boundaries with contemporary techniques and experimental approaches reminds us that it's also one of the most dynamic. Every piece in this show tells a story of process, patience, and artistic vision that can only come from years of dedicated practice.

If you haven't experienced the show yet, you still have time! The 10 Years Print Show runs through April 24th, and all pieces are available for purchase. Whether you're a seasoned collector or thinking about buying your first piece of original art, printmaking offers beautiful, accessible entry into the art world.

Jazz-Funk with Charlie Milo Trio (CM3)

On March 13th, something magical happened. The Charlie Milo Trio (CM3) transformed our Friday into a jazz-funk experience that had customers lingering way longer than their lunch breaks probably allowed.

CM3 brought exactly what they promised: groove. Merging jazz-funk sensibilities with avant exploration, the trio created an improvisational landscape that was genuinely as sophisticated as the espresso we were serving alongside it. People came for the caffeine and stayed for the pocket.

What we loved most about this performance was how naturally it fit into the Tenn Street Coffee & Books experience. Customers were working on laptops with a killer soundtrack. Friends were having lunch conversations elevated by live music. Readers were turning pages to jazz rhythms. It wasn't a concert that demanded your full attention (though it absolutely deserved it), it was music that enhanced everything happening in the space.

This is exactly the kind of live music experience we believe in. Accessible, authentic, and integrated into the everyday coffee shop experience. No tickets, no barriers, just incredible musicians sharing their craft with our community.

If you missed CM3 this time around, stay tuned. Live music at Tenn Street is something we're continuing to grow, and performances like this remind us why it matters so much.

Spring Has Sprung: Seasonal Flavors & Fresh Energy

The Spring Equinox arrived on March 20th, and with it came that unmistakable shift in energy. Longer days, warmer temperatures, and that hopeful feeling that makes everything taste a little better, including our coffee.

March brought a fresh perspective to our menu as we leaned into spring flavors and lighter options:

Spring Drink Highlights: Our four Colorado roasters - Ozo Coffee, Pablo's Coffee, Middlestate Coffee, and Switchback Coffee Roasters - continued delivering exceptional beans. There's something about spring that makes you appreciate the brighter, more citrusy notes in a light roast or the refreshing kick of a cold brew.

Mocktails and NA Options took center stage this month! With National Cocktail Day on March 24th, we celebrated sophisticated sips without the alcohol. Our Athletic Brewing craft beers and HopTea drinks have been flying off the shelves as the weather warms up and customers discover that craft beverages don't require a buzz to be incredible.

Comfort Food That Fuels Spring Adventures: Our food menu continued to satisfy all month long. Bonfire Burritos remained the ultimate comfort-food choice: hearty, warming, and available all day, whenever hunger strikes. Our Chicken Salad Sandwiches are becoming the go-to spring lunch as customers seek something satisfying yet light. And our pastries, breads, and sweet treats kept the pastry case looking beautiful every single morning.

There's something about spring that makes people want to linger at the coffee shop a little longer. Maybe it's the natural light pouring through our windows, or the fresh energy in the air, or just the relief that winter is finally behind us. Whatever it is, our space has been buzzing with renewed community energy all month.

Celebrations & Community Moments

March wasn't just about art and music, it was also packed with celebrations that brought our community together in fun ways:

St. Patrick's Day saw green vibes and good energy all day long. While the rest of Denver was chasing green beer, our customers were celebrating with perfectly crafted pistachio coffee and comfort food. Sometimes the best way to celebrate is with a warm cup and great conversation!

International Women's Day gave us the opportunity to honor the incredible women who make Tenn Street what it is - from our talented baristas to the authors whose books line our shelves, from the artists who've transformed our walls to the customers who make our community thrive.

And of course, National Cocktail Day became our unofficial Mocktail Day, reminding everyone that sophisticated beverages come in all forms. The modern drinking culture is all about options, and we're proud to be part of that evolution.

Books & Vinyl: The Quiet Stars of March

While events and seasonal changes grabbed the headlines, let's not forget the everyday magic that happens at Tenn Street Coffee. Our book collection continued to be a source of comfort and discovery for readers. There's something about spring that reignites reading habits.

Our vinyl section kept spinning all month long, with the record player creating that warm analog backdrop that makes our space feel like home. March playlists leaned into that transitional energy, albums that sound like winter melting into spring, like fresh starts and open windows.

Looking Ahead: April at Tenn Street

As we turn the page to April, here's what's on our radar:

10 Years Print Show continues through April 24th - still plenty of time to experience this milestone exhibition!
Spring menu evolution - lighter drinks and seasonal specials
Coffee Club rewards - if you haven't joined yet, April is the perfect time to start earning stars with every purchase
More live music and events - stay tuned to our socials for announcements!

Thank You, March!

Every month at Tenn Street brings something new, but March felt particularly special. Maybe it was celebrating a decade of printmaking with artists who've become family. Maybe it was the groove of live jazz to start the weekend. Maybe it was watching our community emerge from winter hibernation, filling our space with fresh energy and conversation.

Whatever it was, we're grateful for every customer who walked through our doors, every artist who shared their work, every musician who played their heart out, and every person who chose Tenn Street as the place to spend their time.

That's never lost on us. In a world of endless options, you chose our little coffee shop on Tennyson Street. And that means everything.

Here's to April, to spring unfolding, to more art and music and books and vinyl and really, really good coffee. See you soon!

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