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Music: A change is gonna come...
'The Doctor' to provide comfort in Larkspur Cafe Theatre's final days

by Matt Kramer

Sometimes discord booms deeper than a subwoofer and arrives as unexpectedly as a sucker punch to the gut. Last week packed such a wallop in the form of an e-mail. When a subject line from the office includes the word "changes," it tips you off that someone's moving on—of his own accord or not. So I was apprehensive about opening a mid-week message I received from the Larkspur Cafe Theatre, as its subject was: Major changes at the Theatre.

Although I attempted to prepare myself mentally before opening the message, the news was worse than I had surmised. Erma Murphy and Daniel Patrick have lost their lease at the theater, which, for the past three years, they have worked hard and quite successfully to transform into a welcoming, comfortable and great-sounding performance space. I was stunned after reading of this development. After the initial shock and following numbness abated, I quickly contacted a fellow music-minded Marinite, and his reaction was pretty much the same. Part of the shock in this situation is its abruptness. The Larkspur Cafe Theatre, as we know it, will cease to exist at the end of this month. The bright side for now is that the proprietors will continue producing performances (their long-established Murphy Productions lives on), and there are still a few scheduled events on the calendar at the LCT.

Composer and trombonist Wayne "The Doctor" Wallace brings his jazz quintet back to the joint Friday, and I wish this house call could cure the closing of the place. Earlier this year, S.F.-based Wallace and company played a remarkable sold-out show that, when the tables were scooted back during the second set, turned into a lively dance party. Wallace possesses potent straight-ahead jazz chops as well as a flair and a penchant for the Latin side of the spectrum, both of which will benefit from the addition this time around of trumpeter extraordinaire Ray Vega. Vega, from the Bronx, has blown his horn for late greats Tito Puente and Ray Barretto, and he's a highly regarded bandleader, too. We're fortunate to have him here in Marin, and thankfully the LCT is still open to host his arrival. I've been looking forward to this pairing since I was told about it the last time Wallace was in town.

I have heard many musicians comment favorably about the sound and the style of the Larkspur Cafe Theatre, which attests to the dedication of its current operators. Every time I have attended performances there, Erma and Daniel have been present, cheerfully taking care of the attendees as well as the performers. They're genuinely good-natured and generous, and you can tell they've cared about and been involved with music and performances for a long time. As usual, they're maintaining a positive attitude about the unplanned change, seeing it as an opportunity to celebrate what they've accomplished there. I have a hunch these last few farewell performances are going to be off the charts. The Murphy Productions' free farewell celebration begins at 5pm Saturday, June 30, with musicians, dancers, music lovers and eve hack writers invited.

I thank Erma Murphy and Daniel Patrick for establishing such a listener- and performer-friendly space in Marin, for their generosity and communications over the years, and I wish them the best in all future endeavors.

Posted by Alexa Weber Morales, a resident of the Bahia neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2007 at 8:07 am

Thank you, Erma and Daniel, for tremendous heart and soul in bringing new acoustic and jazz sounds to Larkspur over the last three years. You are truly live music evangelists! I know you will go on to greater things! Success is the best revenge!

--Alexa

Posted by Alexa Weber Morales, a resident of another community, on Jun 26, 2007 at 8:08 am

Oh, and by the way, I don't live in Marin, I'm from Oaktown! Represent!

Posted by Tom Merle, a resident of another community, on Jun 26, 2007 at 8:24 am

The range of concerts was unparalleled. The extraordinary friendliness of the Daniel and Erma was also unparalleled in this business. The lighting, sound system, menu were all top notch. You name it--pricing, placing music snippets on the web, the email newsleter, the website, etc. etc.--no one did it better. It was amazing to me that they could keep up their enthusiasm week after week. It sure brought me down from Napa.

Yet I know from experience that as one door closes another opens. They will be presenters, producers, in a variety of venues, perhaps even up here in Napa. So the future looks rosy for this determined and very warm couple.

Posted by Beth Reynolds, a resident of the Novato neighborhood, on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:27 am

Daniel and Erma created what was one of the best music venues in Marin, and their losing their lease has inspired a great many local musicians to rally to their aid and ensure that this wonderful venue is carried on somewhere else. Those of us who have either performed or enjoyed performing at the Theater will probably no longer patronize it without Daniel and Erma at the wheel. Here's to their continuance in Marin in a new venue- and THUMBS down to the new managers and the manner in which they took over Murphy Productions' venue. Join us all for a community jam there on the 30th- it will be stellar!!

Posted by Corry & Denis Kelly, a resident of the San Anselmo neighborhood, on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:28 am

Some things are too good to be true or too good to last. The Larkspur Cafe Theatre may be going away, but Erma & Daniel are a musical gift that will continue to touch those with a song in their heart.

Posted by Rich Lysloff, a resident of the Larkspur neighborhood, on Jun 27, 2007 at 4:10 pm

As a resident of Larkspur I was extremely excited when Daniel and Erma opened up shop at the Larkspur Cafe Theatre. I caught some shows and they were all well produced and memorable. I enjoyed the fact that this was a place to really listen to a live performance and not just another crowded bar scene. I used to attend the "First Fridays" at Ermas place in Mill Valley and really appreciated the fact that she opened up her house to a bunch of musicians to come and jam. For some it was the only place they could go to pplay with other musicians.

Daniel and Erma have the spirit and the magic. I will continue to support whatever they do in the future.

Posted by Rich Lysloff, a resident of the Larkspur neighborhood, on Jun 27, 2007 at 4:10 pm

As a resident of Larkspur I was extremely excited when Daniel and Erma opened up shop at the Larkspur Cafe Theatre. I caught some shows and they were all well produced and memorable. I enjoyed the fact that this was a place to really listen to a live performance and not just another crowded bar scene. I used to attend the "First Fridays" at Ermas place in Mill Valley and really appreciated the fact that she opened up her house to a bunch of musicians to come and jam. For some it was the only place they could go to pplay with other musicians.

Daniel and Erma have the spirit and the magic. I will continue to support whatever they do in the future.

Posted by Lisa Star - Passion Star Records, a resident of the Larkspur neighborhood, on Jun 29, 2007 at 9:20 am

Daniel and Erma are consumate professionals that communicate such an air of ease and grace you hardly comprehend the efforts involved. Their love of music, artists and their natural talents for event production and promotion as well as community building are gold in today's world. Certainly in Marin where we have all of this amazing talent and the need for community to support it.

We look forward to the future!

Posted by joni, a resident of the Bolinas neighborhood, on Jun 29, 2007 at 8:44 pm

knowing how everyone has loved the space you have created, i am sure the both of you will move on to do new and wonderful events. you have the following, the spirit of community, the love that we all appreciate in a changing marin. best of luck for the future, and congrats in all you have accomplished thus far. your efforts are not overlooked! oxoxo joni

Posted by David Gans, a resident of another community, on Jul 12, 2007 at 6:41 pm

Count me among the hordes of musicians who had a great time playing the Larkspur Cafe Theatre and who feel Erma and Daniel got a very very raw deal here.

Posted by maya, a resident of the Sausalito neighborhood, on Jul 12, 2007 at 8:48 pm

damn- it's one of those situations where time goes by in a flash.. and you took it for granted that something would always be there and so you put it off until 'next week 'and then you get the news that this special moment in time and place is gone and you say-- "why didn't i go there more?" i knew i should have been a more integral part of this special venue and community which you created, erma and daniel. thanks for creating what i've thought marin has needed for years. i look forward to the next incarnation.... all the best! maya

Posted by Sarah, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2007 at 8:18 am

Good luck to you both in your next music endeavor!

Posted by Haley Seppa / David T. Carter and the Trailer Park Rangers, a resident of another community, on Jul 13, 2007 at 6:09 pm

Larkspur Cafe and Theatre was by far one of our favorite places to perform...

We will always be thankful for that opportunity and know that even greater things are in Daniel and Erma's future....

and we will be there to support!

- David T. Carter and the Trailer Park Rangers

Posted by Rick Miller-Guitarist for Trailer Park Rangers, a resident of another community, on Sep 13, 2007 at 1:15 pm

RAW DEAL doesn't quite encompass what went down in this situation!! Shame, shame, shame!! What's important is that Daniel and Erma have what it takes to overcome this setback. I, for one, believe they'll excel at whatever they apply themselves to. The, all too brief, era of Larkspur Cafe Theater holds many memories for music lovers, musicians, and artists of all mediums. Get behind whatever their next move is and help them to keep art alive wherever they decide to present it. My hat is off to both of these sweet and dedicated people.