Café MAC – Worthington’s Favorite Artful Coffeehouse

Looking for a fun, relaxing midweek activity that won't cost a cent? The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center would like to buy you a cup of coffee and invite you to take in the sights and sounds of Café MAC. The event, which takes place in the main gallery every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., features free java, WIFI and artful coffeehouse music. The evening is intended to be low key and informal, so bring a book or your laptop and enjoy an evening of great tunes. In an effort to cater to a wide variety of musical interests, the MAC has arranged an outstanding lineup of local musicians each week.

• Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club – A longtime favorite around the Columbus coffeehouse scene, the Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club hosts a “pickin’ party” at Café MAC on the first, third and fifth (if there is one) Tuesday of each month. Founded in 1998 by Palmer Moore, the club performs in the traditional thumb-picking style made famous by their music idols: Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel.
• Matt Ellis and Standard Time – If you love jazz music, you won’t want to miss the second Tuesday of each month when Matt Ellis and his coffeehouse jazz group, Standard Time, entertain the crowd with an evening of lively swing music. A nationally known jazz trombonist, Matt Ellis has been featured in numerous local ensembles and has served as the director for the Thomas Worthington High School Jazz Ensemble and the Capital University Big Band.
• Adam Schlenker and Friends – A regular at Café MAC for the past several years, Adam Schlenker hosts an informal jam session on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In addition to his gig as a full-time virtual guitar and mandolin instructor, with clients all over the world, Schlenker teaches an acoustic roots ensemble at the MAC and regularly performs both as a solo flat pick artist and with his band, The Family Tree.

Schlenker’s Tuesday night jam sessions have helped to foster an environment at Café MAC where advanced and intermediate performers come together to play, collaborate and learn from each other. “It’s been really neat to see the community that has formed as a result of these sessions,” Schlenker said. “We strive to maintain a balance between the different levels of talent, where the advanced players can hone their skills and the intermediate players can learn and improve without feeling overwhelmed.” Every instrument from A to Z is welcome, so if roots, bluegrass or old-time fiddle music is up your alley, stop by and join in.

The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center, located at 777 Evening Street, is a contemporary facility that presents and promotes performing, visual and digital arts. Check out their website or Facebook page to learn more about their events, impressive exhibits and extensive lineup of classes and workshops.

Convention & Visitors Bureau of Worthington

Worthington, Ohio, offers a variety of activities, attractions, specialty shops and dining options for visitors of all ages and interests. The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Worthington is your resource for all the latest information, including the event calendar at VisitWorthingtonOhio.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at Visit Worthington Ohio.