Sat. 3-4-17 6:00 PM, an emerging young talent and name you may want to remember! Hannah Doyle, "I'm 13, I go to Oakland Jr. High, I've played around the twin cities in lots of local coffee shops, I'll probably be singing the national anthem for the Twins either this or next season, I tend to sing more pop-ish songs, I play piano and guitar and I've been singing forever and I'm hoping to make it my career."  

  

Thursday, 3-16-17 6-7:00 PM & 8:-9:00 PM Singer- Songwriter (Rag, Swing, Jazz & Folk - Rennaissance Festival) Chaz Wilson

Friday 3-17-17 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM St. Patrick's Day - Scones, Coffee and Tea, Vegan Irish stew - DJ Johnny Cabernet and Celtic Music... 

Welcome Spring - Sunday Tea (&Coffee) with home made baked goods, 3-19-17, 2-4:00 PM
                                                                                                                                
January 2017
 MUSIC FOREST CAFE
In downtown Saint Paul 
(Yes, photos of Music Forest's completed interior up soon...)

Music, Art and a friendly gathering place          
meet in a most unique setting...

From the intimate Music Forest stage surrounded 
by a grove of trees, listen to emerging and established 
musicians play Celtic and Folk, Classical, Jazz and more.

Performers: We have Open-Mic during most regular 
business hours: Wednesday-Sunday beginning at 4:30 PM.

Coffee and Tea and a Vegan menu which includes soup, 
bagel sandwiches, pasta salad and homemade baked 
goods is served...
                                                                                                                                                   


   
Who:
Bill Hosko - owner of downtown's Hosko Gallery and Custom Picture Framing since 1994 (billhosko.com) has branched out into a second business.  


What:  
Music Forest Cafe provides a memorable intimate environment for music, art and socializing.   The 1,300 square foot space features large windows and high ceilings.  Bill's original conceptual design illustrations for the space are below.  With the exception of electrical and plumbing he completed the build-out himself.


Where:
Music Forest Cafe is located on the corner of East Seventh and Jackson Streets - on the border of Lowertown and "Lowertown North'.  Nearby are restaurants, breweries, pubs and the new Lunds grocery.  Transit is nearby and parking is available in the attached ramp for $5 all evening or all day Saturday or Sunday. 


When: 
Bill signed a ten-year lease in April 2014 with the City of Saint Paul - owner of the 'Block 19' property.  The build-out began in September 2014.  Progressing on a part-time basis it was largely completed twelve months later.  

                                                                            
Why:
For over twenty years Bill has enjoyed serving his gallery customers.  Music Forest Cafe will be another opportunity to serve the public, while melding the essences of a Montana cafe he created in 2008 and his favorite travel destinations, the Great Plains and northern England, his interest in art and most of all, his life-long appreciation for great music.  

There is an abundance of talented emerging and and established musicians locally.  Music Forest offers a unique venue to perform.  




For Musicians:
Those who enjoy playing and singing everything from Celtic and Folk to Classical and Jazz are welcome.  We have an intimate stage (and adjoining green-room) nestled among tall trees and art-filled walls.  Soon our small retail area will be completed and we can promote the CDs of performers.  Seating capacity is 45.  Open-Mic at most times.   

For Saint Paul Artists:
For those who are serious about their craft, Saint Paul based artists will have an opportunity to display their work in a unique gallery setting on consignment.  Consignment fees for originals and prints will be competitive with the current market.  Display times are sixty days.  

For Music Forest Customers:
- An intimate environment to enjoy music, art and the company of others.  If there is no live performance, recorded music will play.  Bring your favorite CD and we may just play it.   Bring a book, knitting or an interest in doing a puzzle at a table or sit near the fireplace in a rocking chair to enjoy the surroundings.

Our Menu is 100% Vegan:
- Beverages: coffee, tea, Chai tea, juice and soda (ice tea, lemonade or cider - in season).  
- Food: Tasty soup, bagel sandwiches, wraps, pasta salad, Sloppy-Joes and snacks.  We serve delicious homemade cupcakes, muffins and cookies. 
- Guests can bring or order in their own food (with a $3 cover) and non-alcoholic beverage (with a $1.50 cover).  

Overall Goal:
Music Forest Cafe will become a co-operative - affordably owned by the people working there.  It will be open seven days a week 7:00 AM - midnight. 






                                                                             

             

                                                                              





  
  
  
Music Forest Cafe is located on the corner of East Seventh and Jackson Streets.  Photos were taken June 2014. 
(Note the second floor opening for a future skyway connection). 
June 2014: The photo above and most of those below show the general atmosphere that Bill (below) will capture in a small scale within Music Forest Cafe.
In 2008, Bill completed The Outpost Cafe (here, above and immediately below) in far northern Montana not far from his property.
One of Bill's favorites places is northern England, from Scarborough to Morcambe Bay.
Attending a McNally Smith performance in downtown St. Paul
Bill Hosko opened Hosko Gallery in downtown Saint Paul in early 1994. It is located on the skyway level within Securian Center at 400 North Robert Street.
Future exterior improvements will be an awning framework (to pick up architectural details at the 
top of the ramp) and larger signage.   A bike rack is in the works.  Some of the new planters have been installed.  
The initial interior concept plans above were created in March 2014.  The existing floor plan and interior at that time is below.  
January 2015 - Interior below after four months of detailed cleaning, prep and painting.  
After weeks of cleaning, painting and other prep work Bill stained the floor with a beautiful tile pattern and set about the framing of walls, roofs and stage area.  City requirements called for metal stud construction throughout - a daunting thought being he'd never worked with them before.  All sub-roofing and flooring needed to be fireproof as well.