I’m Your’s Cafe’
29/27 Đoàn Thị Điểm
P.1, Phú Nhuận District
*****
A little bit of Berkeley in Saigon
Jimmy Hendricks, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse images plastered on the walls. Colorful psychedelic lights. Guitars. “Hippie” hair. Good coffee. Fruit shakes. Young artists. Great live music.
Was I transported home to Berkeley yesterday?
Was I having a flashback to my university days at Penn State?
No. I just discovered a new cafe in Phú Nhuận District here in Saigon.
My friend Toan invited Hai and I to come share an evening with him at I’m Your’s Cafe’. He would be performing Thursday night beginning at 8:00 p.m. Of course – we’ll be there!
I had enjoyed Toan’s guitar strumming and smooth voice late at night, a few months ago. Hai and I had met up with a bunch of young university students in a local Saigon park. We were all preparing to spend that night riding through the city’s dark streets, distributing food to local folk sleeping on the streets in the wee hours of the night. But, before our adventure began, there was time for talking, eating, and Toan’s music. Since then, I’ve wanted to hear more!
I’m Your’s Cafe’ is small, funky, “1960-70’s'”, friendly, cozy, casual and fun. A small number of locals filled the dozen or so tables and stools – chatting and laughing – one eye on the stage and one eye glued to their smart phone screens.
Hai and I sipped on our very fruity sinh tố‘s while three young men took turns at the microphone. A backup percussionist beat away on an interesting drum that doubled as his stool, and occasionally rattled his maracas. A long-haired, talented guitarist provided most of the background music for the evening.
The night’s entertainment began with a soulful, blues singer, eyes-closed, filling the small cafe space with his powerful voice, belting out traditional Vietnamese ballads. Later, a tall, thin, ever-smiling, perhaps mildly “crazy” young man, joked and sang English lyrics to “Love Potion No. 9.”
Singing “Love Potion #9”, sipping Vietnam’s 333 beer (ba-ba-ba)
And finally, my friend Toan wowed the small audience with his guitar and his beautiful voice.
I’m Your’s Cafe – What a great find! Actually, a bit challenging to find – but such a lovely, quiet street. A truly enjoyable fun evening! A YUM YUM entertainment experience here in Saigon.
We’ll be heading back again for good coffee, fruitshakes, and a nice time listening to other young Saigon artists share their talents – maybe this Sunday again!
Open 5:30 pm – 11 pm everyday.
I’m Your’s Cafe’
29/27 Đoàn Thị Điểm
P.1, Phú Nhuận District
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