Underground music

Frank Artes (bass) and Martin Soldat performed as BluZone in the cozy confines of the Speakeasy in Bloomfield on Friday night.

Bloomfield speakeasy a throwback to another era

The stand up bass player and pianist are bathed in blue light, eyes closed, immersed in the music. The basement room is tiny. About 20 folks are tucked cozily around the players swaying dreamily to the rhythm. Latecomers are thrust rudely into the middle of the room. It all feels vaguely illegal.

This is by design. The Agrarian Speakeasy was developed from concept as an intimate underground venue modelled after prohibition-era drinking establishments. Patricia McDermott had a specific idea of the speakeasy in mind when she remodelled the basement of the Agrarian Restaurant in Bloomfield.

Quietly but steadily, the Agrarian Speakeasy secret is getting out. Astrid Young was one of the first performers when it opened. She enjoyed it so much she agreed to manage the bar and book the acts who perform each Friday night.

“It’s awesome,” says Young. “Everybody loves the atmosphere—both patrons and performers.”

She has pushed to keep the live entertainment going all through the long County winter. Mostly, the Speakeasy is a venue for local music acts, but Young promises the variety and breadth of talent performing there will continue to surprise.

On January 24, Ambre Mclean will perform in the Speakeasy. The dazzling singer songwriter is described by CBC 3 host Chuck Norris as “a brilliant player, a brilliant songwriter and a brilliant performer.”

In March, Ken Tizzard, formerly of the 90’s alt-rock outfit the Watchmen, will be in the Speakeasy. The Watchmen were a wildly popular live act for the better part of two decades. Now more frequently a solo performer, Tizzard will be in Bloomfield to promote his album With bad intent.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” said Astrid. “It’s like this underground thing we’ve got going in Bloomfield. We’ve got consistently good music, a good atmosphere and great cocktails.”

The little underground bar isn’t a secret any more.