Before we talk about the future, we have to talk a little bit about history:

1938. 1 Sheridan Square, New York City. Cafe Society opens its doors. It was a cabaret theater and jazz club that highlighted African American performers in front of an integrated audience. It is the first club of its kind in the United States. Billie Holiday debuted “Strange Fruit” on that stage and legends like Lena Horne got their start there. The slogan of the club? “The Wrong Place for the Right People.”

2005. 1325 East Madison Avenue, Seattle, WA. A local hip hop show at Chop Suey. Jennifer Petersen (of Sportin’ Life Records) and Sarah Walczyk (of Powerful Voices) meet for the first time. It is not a pleasant meeting. In a vicious cycle that should sound familiar to every woman reading this, Jennifer and Sarah’s introduction and initial impression of each other was marred by a dynamic that pits women against each other rather than encouraging camaraderie and that encourages competition and mistrust rather than community and communication.

April 23, 2010. 1001 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA. Cafe Society opens its doors again. Organized by dear friends Jennifer Petersen and Sarah Walczyk, the reborn Cafe Society is a monthly salon to celebrate female artists of every genre and to encourage conversation and appreciation between women. It is an event by and about women, but not just for women. Just like its namesake, it is about breaking barriers and celebrating art, all while having one hell of a party.

Jennifer Petersen and Sarah Walczyk ::: portrait by Abbey Simmons

Last Thursday I sat down to talk with Jennifer and Sarah, the women behind Cafe Society. I couldn’t help but share my excitement for the event with them, and now with you. While there are other “Ladies’ Night” events around town, none of them have the intention behind them that Cafe Society does. This isn’t just a party: this is a movement. It’s a conscious effort with great creative intent to encourage conversation and interaction between women who might not ever speak and to highlight the talented ladies who make Seattle tick, both on and off stage. It’s not just a great idea. It’s necessary.

The idea for a new kind of Ladies’ Night came not only from Jennifer and Sarah’s own less than warm introduction,  but also from Sarah’s job at Powerful Voices: a non-profit that seeks to nurture adolescent girls into strong women. While working with teenage girls, Sarah says she realized the social drama of being young and female hadn’t eased. “I have the same issues with teen girl drama at 35,” she says. Jennifer, who runs into her share of drama as a female business owner in a male-dominated and male-exalting industry agrees. “You know why you put female lobsters into a pot instead of male lobsters, right?” I don’t. Jen goes on. “Male lobsters help each other out and build a ladder, clawing each other out of the pot. You know what female lobsters do? They drown each other.”

Cafe Society is about turning the “lobsters in the pot” analogy on its head, and that starts with Jen and Sarah’s relationship. Sitting in their company, with these two strong and smart women, it is clear that they have served as ladders–not weights–for each other. Cafe Society seeks to do the same. It is a night by and about women, but not solely for them. (The fellas are invited to celebrate too.)  It’s about leaving the drama, ego, and assumptions at the door and feeling your best, whether your best finds you in sweatpants or a cocktail dress. It is about sparking a positive vibe and a conversation with someone you’ve never seen before. It is about checking all your thoughts about ladies’ nights, dance parties and your fellow females at the door and embracing those things that connect us: friendship, music, and community.

Cafe Society starts celebrating this Friday at Sole Repair. The first night event will feature musical guests Marissa (of Sportin’ Life Records) and DICE. Both ladies will perform shortened sets, allowing for plenty of time to converse, create and celebrate.

I’ll definitely be there to celebrate Cafe Society and in the spirit of it all, be sure to say “Hello.”