The Crimson Moon

This is a repost from my Yahoo! 360 blog.

Thursday February 2, 2006

Phew! I thought I’d never get a chance to write something. I’ve been busy, but I finally have time.

Enough small talk. Or maybe too much small talk. Consider this an obituary. Out in the real world (as they call it once you leave college) it can be really hard to form new meaningful relationships with people. I’ve been fortunate in this area, mostly because of the (now closed) Crimson Moon coffee shop (pictured above) For those that don’t know, The Crimson Moon was a small independent coffee shop in Philadelphia. The Moon served as a comfortable spot to work, relax, talk, and meet people. I met just about all of the creative people I work and create with at the Moon or through other people who I met at the Moon. Sometimes I wonder, where would I be if I had never been there?

During its last days, one of the regulars filmed interviews of a selection of Crimson Moon regulars. I helped do some of the questioning. From the responses I got, I was reassured that it’s not just me – that little coffee shop helped shape the lives of many individuals. I remember one South Philly native saying something like “Where else could an oil truck driver who writes poetry feel at home?” That was the essence and beauty of The Moon. It fostered creativity and true diversity. Not the kind of diversity you see in college brochures (though it was frequented by many different races and nationalities.) Crimson Moon regulars came from all over the world and all walks of life. From executives to waiters. From college professors to high school drop outs.

Unfortunately, in the growing corporate nature of this country, there is less and less room for places like Crimson Room. Financially, it was a small mark on the Philadelphia landscape, but a landmark in many lives.

The website is still up here .