Last year's was a blast - remember?

BIG BIG news!

YIV was just voted Best Coffeehouse in Pittsburgh 2008 by the readers' poll of City Paper.

This is quite an honour for us - we haven't yet been open a year, we're this funky new place with old-fashioned notions and we don’t even serve espresso!

Imagine that!!!

Many many heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us and for all your continued support as we move into our second year running one of the most unique and worldly places in our favourite city!

And congratulations to our fellow Lawrenceville winners. And even though CP didn’t have a category, we're certain that L'ville is the Best Neighborhood in Pittsburgh…

This Tuesday, November 25 beginning 6:30pm YIV presents a night of music dedicated to everyone’s favourite boy wizard, Harry Potter.  Wizard Rock, is the name given to music inspired by the world created by J.K. Rowling and performed by a growing legion of indie-rock bands.

Wizard Rock shows are family friendly affairs with attendees invited to dress as their favourite Harry Potter characters.  It attracts fans of all ages.  There are more than 300 wizard rock bands across the country with a rabid fan base that keeps up with their favourites online.

From Providence, RI, The Whomping Willows is the solo project of Matt Maggiacomo. Realizing the effect wizard rock had on the world, Matt decided to write and record music based on scenes in the life of the aggressive tree. As a result, he released The Whomping Willow's self-titled debut album in 2006.

From Providence, RI, Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills is the wizard rock project of singer/songwriter Justin Edward Michaelman.

Also, Tonks & the Aurors from Ann Arbor, MI.

$3 cover in the Back Lounge. All Ages & Absolutely Family Friendly.

Check out this great photo Kevin Ross took last night of Berna dancing at Ishtar 's latest installment of BellyDance BellyRock:

Ishtar will next be bringing their cavalcade of bellydnce & classic Turkish surf-rock to YIV on Thursday December 11.

Philadelphia local singer/songwriter Mary Scholz was born and raised in Havertown, PA. A graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, she has been traveling the east coast for the past two years, bringing her soothing voice and personal performance quality from city to city.

Singing since the age of four, and writing since about fourteen, her music is a blend of lyric folk and rock with a bittersweet twist that puts her in a category all her own. (But aren't we all in categories of our own?) Growing up singing in church, Mary's voice resonates with a clarity and emotion that engages her audiences at the first note.

FREE! All ages & BYOB.

Sunday Brunch

with music by

Folk By Association

 Sunday November 9

10am to 2pm

 $10 per person

 Featuring

• Mini Peinirli (Greek puff pastries stuffed with cheese, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes)
• Tuna, roasted red pepper and gruyere Strata
• Feta, roasted red pepper and kalamata olive Strata
• Roasted acorn squash and apple puree
• Herb-roasted potatoes
• Bacon & sausage
• Oatmeal with homemade maple and brown sugar syrup
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Your favourite tapas & mezze dishes from the YIV Menu

Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s review of our Sunday Brunch.

Plus, a special performance by Folk By Association

Straight outta Jersey, our old friends Karen & Jill of FBA journey to the coffeehouse to play some sweet acoustic harmonies for a special brunch performance.

FBA is the duo of Karen Krajacic and Jill Cowen, two singer/songwriter/ multi-instrumentalists who have become a grassroots phenomenon. They share seven years, two CDs, twenty-two states, hundreds of performances, and an infinite resolve to carve for themselves a career path that lies just outside of the commercial mainstream- all the while operating completely independently of any record label or outside management.

Traveling almost constantly, they’ve played everything from intimate house concerts to large festivals, showcasing their top-notch vocal harmonies and organic blend of guitar and mandolin. Their sound is an eclectic blend of influences (folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, world) combined with poetically penned lyrics, resulting in a uniquely inspiring and energetic expansion of contemporary acoustic music.

FREE!

Have a listen: http://www.myspace.com/folkbyassociation

This Saturday November 8, YIV presents the Pittsburgh debut of Matt & Shannon Heaton. From Boston, MA, Matt and Shannon play traditional and updated Irish music. Call it Irish Americana, or modern Celtic music, their shows feature stunning musicianship, an easy rapport with audiences, and a selection of music you won’t hear anywhere else. make traditional music relevant to American audiences.

Matt & Shannon will be appearing with Pittsburgh favourites Devilish Merry.

$12 cover in the Back Lounge. All ages & BYOB.

Making his YIV debut this Friday November 7, Pittsburgh-based performer Brad Yoder writes soulful little folk-rock-pop songs about the weird poetry of life, blending the humorous, the personal and the political into an engaging and sometimes startling collage.

Voted "Best Acoustic/Solo Artist" by the readers of the Pittsburgh City Paper four out of the past five years, Brad averages over 150 shows each year, in Pittsburgh and throughout the East Coast and Midwest.  Brad appears tonight with his full band!

With fast rising Pittsburgh Indie Rock band The Lost Sea.

$7 cover in the Back Lounge. All ages & BYOB.

This Thursday November 6, YIV presents an evening with three talented Pittsburgh based women singer-songwriters.

Indie pop & soul chanteuse Joy Ike headlines the night.

With Emily Rodgers (Indie Rock) & Morgan Stewart (Roots Americana).

$7 cover in the Back Lounge. All ages & BYOB.

This Wednesday November 5 beginning at 8pm, we host a special night celebrating the work of the mysterious Texas-based musician, Jandek. Since 1978, Jandek has self-released 55 albums of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting more than the occasional interview or providing any biographical information.

Join Maurice Rickard for an evening of open mic covers. As ever, the guidelines are simple: anyone can come and play, but you have to cover a Jandek tune. Any style, genre, instrumentation, or approach is welcome. Aesthetic risk-taking is actively encouraged. Unlike previous years, however, we have room for a drum kit. Anyone up for "John Plays Drums"?

Performances will be followed by a screening of the cult documentary Jandek on Corwood…

FREE! All ages & BYOB.

Now go out and vote!

Have a look at the original classic commercial.

Local favourites Chalk Dinosaur serve up hot sides of indie rock in the Back Lounge with a FREE SHOW this Tuesday November 4.

With The Armadillos & Jason Deutsch.

Free! All ages & BYOB.

This Saturday, November 1 - Direct from Kittanning, PA, the progressive acoustic folk trio taking Western PA by storm!

Have a Listen!

$7 cover in the Back Lounge. All ages & BYOB!