For years, Coffee House Jam has been a Cathedral staple with students gathering in the SLC to enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and the musical stylings of their fellow classmates. Unfortunately, the event has been on a hiatus since March of 2020 due to the pandemic however, this year it is finally making its long awaited comeback. 

Director of Student Activities and History Teacher Mr. Anthony Ernst beamed with pride as he said, “We are all so excited that we get to bring Coffee House Jam back this year because it is a really special event that takes place here on the hill. It allows unassuming students to showcase their talents to a large group of people.” He continued, “There has really been a hole here the last few years without it because we don’t get to see student’s talents the way we used to and it’s nice to finally have that back.” 

According to Ernst, Coffee House Jam is not a talent show but rather an opportunity for students to showcase their musical talents. “People don’t get up on that stage to juggle. It’s an acoustic performance with a set of two to three different songs so it’s almost like a mini concert for the student performers,” he said. 

In the past, the event has taken place in the Student Life Center however, this year is different because for the first time, the event will be hosted in our very own Johnny Mac Coffee House which opened in March. “The SLC used to undergo a really special transformation and this year will be no different,” Ernst said. 

Despite the changes and the hiatus, Ernst said he is optimistic for the future of the event. “Coffee House Jam used to draw in anywhere from 300 to 400 people and while we don’t expect that right off the bat, we are hoping to grow it into that kind of event going forward. Overall, our goal is to bring about something new and even better than before.” 

The event will take place on April 15 at 7 p.m. and costs five dollars to attend. Coffee, cookies and hot chocolate will be provided for all attendees to enjoy while listening to live music. It’s time for the Irish to do what they do best so show up and show out for your fellow classmates. Ernst said, “The event is super fun so I urge everyone to just come out and enjoy it.”