Keynote Cafe in Jeannette to close after 'last hurrah' concert

The Keynote Cafe in Jeannette, a popular performance space for area musicians, will close after a June 29 farewell concert.

Owner Jill Sorrells of Jeannette posted this notice on Facebook on April 13:

“This is to let u know that I have just signed a Sales Agreement on the Keynote Cafe building. Our friends at the Mosaic Community Church are purchasing our building with tremendous plans for continuing their community outreach in our area. I couldn’t imagine giving our beloved building to anyone more likely to do good for our community than Pastor Nate.

“We will be celebrating our Twelfth Anniversary in June and our final show will be on Saturday, June 29, 2019.

“To all our talented friends, artists, and musicians, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving us, entertaining us, and inspiring us for the last 12 years.

“I am going to ease into retirement but will be loving and supporting you all from afar. There are many new venues and opportunities opening up for all of you, especially in my hometown of Jeannette, so continue on and look for me in your audience!

“Each show you are scheduled to play here at the Keynote Cafe, may be your final hoorah with us, so come play your heart out and celebrate all that we created together!

I’ll have the kleenex ready.”

Among performers listed for the June 29 show is Aubrey Burchell, an Irwin native and former “American Idol” contestant. Music will start at noon with a set by Black Motel and wrap up after a 9:30 p.m. set by the Keynote House Band.

Information is available on the Keynote Cafe Facebook page.

Sorrells has said she comes from a family of musicians and she viewed the cafe as a kind of extension of her own living room, where local musicians previously had gathered to play.

Over the years, the Keynote hosted music in genres from jazz and blues to contemporary Christian and rock.

The cafe first opened in 2008 in a space on Clay Avenue in downtown Jeannette. It was closed briefly before moving to its current location at 227 Fourth St. about six years ago.