Angar Mora has long grappled with the issue of what it takes to get the public to pay attention to art. His solution was to create a weekly arts salon at an Italian restaurant in San Rafael. “I became convinced in the diversity of multi-media,” he says as he describes a venue that mixes it up: poets read alongside painters, storytellers share the stage with ceramicists, printmakers stand up with memoirists. “What often happens is that people show up for an artist and are surprised to find they like someone from a different art medium."
Honoring “our collective imagination,” Mora began the Café Arrivederci series as a visual arts venue almost 15 years ago. It evolved into the setting he now presides over, although he asserts that “It’s not about me, it’s about us. I can only do this to the extent that others want to do it.” For those who have coordinated a reading series or hosted events, you know that it takes an organizer to really get the show on the road. Mora takes responsibility for most of the tasks to create Café Arrivederci’s programming; he finds and schedules the talent, oversees the set up of the art shows, takes reservations and deals with various temperaments, and publishes flyers and a newsletter to promote the series. Finaly, he serves as the beaming host every Monday night.
There is a $7 cash charge to attend the salon, which includes a reading as well as a presentation or talk by the visual artist. The proceeds are split between performers/artists, with a percentage going to support the cost of promoting the event. Included with the entrance fee is a 25% discount on food and beverage orders. Mora teams up with Café Arrivederci’s general manager, Pedro Ulloa, to determine which of two rooms to use: one holds up to 20 people, the other about 40.
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Patrons arrive at 5:30 to order a meal, wine or other beverage, and enjoy conversations with other attendees (the cost of the meal is not included in the cover charge, but the menu offers a wide selection of appetizers and entrees that fall into a $10-20 price range). Reservations expire at 5:45, so be sure to show up on time. The official program starts promptly at 7 p.m. and includes the reading, a talk by the visual artist, an art auction and raffle. Except for major holidays, Mora has events booked every Monday night up to six months to a year in advance. Recent literary artists who have read at Café Arrivederci include Joyce Jenkins, editor of Poetry Flash, Jeanne Lupton, Emmaly Wiederholt, Judy Hardin Cheung, Peter E. Sandholdt, Juanita J. Martin, and Joan Gelfland.
After witnessing many performances and seeing so much art work, Mora has a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of what constitutes genuine art: “It is what moves the mood and changes the perspective of others.” His hosting skills are gracious and inviting and the mood he creates at Café Arrivederci is unique in the Bay Area for its warmth, instant conviviality, and creative energy. To reach Angar Mora, or to make reservations for upcoming events, call 415/492-8870. Café Arrivederci is located at 11 G Street in San Rafael.
Upcoming readers include:
9/28 Dale Scott and Tom Flynn
10/5 Kay Renz and Wendy Ravin
10/19 Sher Lianne Christian and John Christian, with Jacquelyn Paull
10/26 Richard Angilly, Judy Hardin Cheung amd Natica Angilly
11/2 Grace Marie Grafton and Robin Samsell
11/9 Mary Loughran and J. Carter Hicks
11/16 Eugene David
11/23 Steve Valberbe with Willow and Cindy Valberbe
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