It’s Jazzing Up in Langenthal on Mondays!
Imagine this: It’s Monday evening, and instead of dreading the week ahead, you’re in the lively Kreuzhof Bar in Langenthal, enjoying jazzy tunes. Sounds better than Monday night Netflix, doesn’t it?
Welcome to the Monday Jazz Club
With around 50 guests swaying to the sound of Trio «Kiosk», this cozy bar has transformed the most dreaded day of the week into a musical feast! Owner Selma Wyttenbach presents a brilliant concept: Monday Jazz!
After a guest stumbled upon an abandoned electric piano six years ago and exclaimed, “This is just perfect for jazz!”, Selma took note and introduced a monthly jazz event, which soon escalated to a twice-a-month bash. It seems Mondays now come with a side of melody and some serious sax appeal!
When Weekends Don’t Listen
Once upon a time, live music suffered on Saturdays as audiences were too busy being “out”, probably looking for the next Instagram opportunity. Selma dramatically recounts her heartache as artists poured their souls into performances that went unheard. It’s like shouting into a void but with a much better soundtrack!
Fighting for Listening Ears
Selma, our musical knight in shining armor, asserts that this series aims to reclaim the lost art of attentive listening. “We don’t need thousands of people throwing back drinks and forgetting the music,” she insists. A quiet revolution on a Monday night sounds rather charming, doesn’t it?
Cash Flow for Musicians?
But here’s the kicker — the Kreuzhof Bar is not in it for the bucks. Selma admits they can’t dish out princely sums to performers. Instead, they offer a “deficit guarantee.” It’s basically a money-saving magic trick where patrons throw in some cash to help musicians make ends meet. Voilà, art and altruism collide!
They’re Fully Booked, Darling!
And worry not, music lovers! The Monday concerts are already jam-packed until the summer. It seems that many professional musicians relish the idea of sharing their talents on the night often ignored by weekend warriors. Who said Monday blues couldn’t turn into musical hues?
Time for Bed, But Not Too Late!
Wyttenbach also cheekily assures guests that these concerts end promptly by 10 PM — so you can still get your beauty sleep. Because nothing says “I love jazz” like waking up well-rested! You can catch Selma’s spirited announcements of concerts via social media, enticing followers to join in without emptying their wallets on ads.
Finding the Right Vibe
The Kreuzhof Bar prides itself on being a cultural haven where the right kind of music meets the right kind of audience. Bands from near and far apply to perform, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into the Kreuzhof ambiance. Because let’s be honest, not every performance should feel like a circus act!
Conclusion
So, what have we learned from the Kreuzhof Bar? Mondays can indeed be a delight with jazzy tunes, attentive audiences, and a commitment to fostering local art. Owner Selma Wyttenbach’s passion for music and community shines through, reminding us all that perhaps, just perhaps, we should give Mondays a second chance.
“It’s not just about partying; it’s about creating an atmosphere where music can be savored.” — Selma Wyttenbach
Now, who’s up for a little Monday jazz? Join the fun at Kreuzhof Bar!
On a lively Monday evening at the Kreuzhof Bar in Langenthal, approximately 50 guests gather to enjoy an enchanting night of music. Three talented musicians from Bern grace the stage, captivating the audience with the Trio «Kiosk», who deliver jazzy original compositions infused with local dialect lyrics. The ambiance is warm and inviting, as the band revels in the joy of performing while the audience listens with rapt attention.
Monday Jazz works
For the last several years, Monday jazz concerts have become a staple at the Kreuzhof Bar. “The spark for jazz performances ignited six years ago when a guest discovered the neglected electric piano on stage, suggesting its perfect fit for jazz,” recounts owner Selma Wyttenbach. Embracing this idea, they initially introduced the concept as monthly events, which later blossomed into bi-monthly showcases. Today, the “Monday Jazz” series has cultivated a dedicated audience that consistently fills the venue.
The eclectic trio “Kiosk” from Bern brings their unique jazzy sound to the Kreuzhof Bar, intertwining original music with native dialectal expressions, mesmerizing patrons with their distinctive flair.
On alternate Mondays, live music fills the space on the “Mäntigs Bühni,” spotlighting solo artists and small groups from diverse genres ranging from singer/songwriters to folk and acoustic pop.
Artists didn’t get enough attention over the weekend
Selma Wyttenbach reflects on the past when the Kreuzhof Bar hosted Saturday night concerts featuring solo artists. However, she observed a disconnect as the audience, caught up in weekend revelry, often overlooked the performers. “It broke my heart to see musicians whose talents go unappreciated,” she shares.
With over a decade of history, the Kreuzhof Bar has established itself as a renowned venue in Langenthal.
Deficit guarantee for performing musicians
Wyttenbach emphasizes that the primary goal of these events is not profitability but rather providing a platform for artists to shine. “While we aim to break even, our focus remains on supporting the musicians,” she notes. Consequently, the bar cannot offer extravagant fees to performers, but it provides a deficit guarantee by collecting donations from the audience, supplemented by funds from the bar’s budget. Due to the establishment’s prominent reputation and loyal clientele, they refrain from charging admission for these concerts.
The popular Monday concert series has resulted in fully booked schedules extending into the summer of next year.
Despite the concert, guests get to bed on time
The Kreuzhof Bar owner continues to seek greater attendance for the “Mäntigs Bühni” sessions. The concerts commence at 8 p.m. and last for two hours, allowing guests to enjoy the performance without disrupting their bedtime, a point Wyttenbach delivers with humor. Promoting these events through social media channels, the venue’s website, and WhatsApp, she acknowledges the limitation of large-scale advertisements due to prohibitive costs.
The bands performing must align with the ambiance of the Kreuzhof Bar. The venue receives numerous applications, which are meticulously assessed to ensure each group resonates with the atmosphere and essence of the bar. “It’s vital that the band fits into the Kreuzhof Bar and the atmosphere here,” Wyttenbach asserts. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many bands eager to secure additional performance dates.
### Interview with Selma Wyttenbach: The Heart Behind Monday Jazz at Kreuzhof Bar
**Interviewer:** Selma, thank you for joining us today! Your “Monday Jazz” concept at the Kreuzhof Bar has transformed how many view Mondays. What inspired you to start this event?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** Thank you for having me! It was actually quite serendipitous. Six years ago, a guest discovered an old electric piano in our bar and exclaimed how perfect it would be for jazz. That sparked the idea! We started off with a monthly event, and the enthusiasm from our community just grew. Now, it’s a regular fixture and a wonderful way to kick off the week.
**Interviewer:** It’s amazing to see that growth! It’s common to underestimate Mondays, but it seems like you’re changing that narrative. Can you tell us more about your vision for “Monday Jazz”?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** Absolutely. I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy live music in an intimate setting, where the focus is on the music, not just on drinking and socializing. Our goal is to bring back the art of attentive listening. We are not about the loud party scene; we want to cultivate an atmosphere where music can truly be savored.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the challenges of live performances on weekends. What issues did you face with weekend events?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** Oh, it was disheartening at times. Many guests were more into the social scene, and the artists went unnoticed. I saw musicians pouring their hearts out on stage, only to be drowned out by conversation and revelry. It felt like they were lost in a void, and that’s when I decided we needed to make Mondays a time for the music to shine.
**Interviewer:** You seem to prioritize supporting local artists. How do you ensure the musicians are compensated fairly?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** That’s a challenging part, but we do our best. We can’t pay huge sums to performers, but we have introduced a “deficit guarantee.” Our patrons contribute whatever they can to help support the artists. It’s a community effort, creating a lovely synergy between the audience and musicians.
**Interviewer:** It’s wonderful to see a community rallying around art! Looking ahead, how’s the response from guests and performers?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Our Monday concerts are fully booked until summer, and we regularly host talented musicians from various genres. It’s exciting to see that many artists are eager to perform on a night that used to be overlooked—proof that Mondays can indeed be magical.
**Interviewer:** You keep the events timely too, ending by 10 PM! What’s your thinking behind that decision?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** [laughs] We want everyone to enjoy the music and have a great time, but we also recognize that most people have commitments the next day. By keeping it earlier, we ensure our guests can get their beauty sleep—and be refreshed for another week ahead. It’s all about balance!
**Interviewer:** what advice would you give someone hesitant about attending a jazz event?
**Selma Wyttenbach:** Don’t be intimidated! Jazz is about feeling, and every performance is unique. Just come with an open heart and enjoy the experience. You never know, you might fall in love with the music and find a new favorite way to spend your Mondays!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Selma! It sounds like a fantastic night out at Kreuzhof Bar, and with your passion for music and community, Monday nights might just be the best nights of the week!
**Selma Wyttenbach:** Thank you! We’d love to see everyone there—come join the jazz celebration!
