Java Stage
Join Us for FREE live music performances every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7-9:30pm! Think “House Concert” where the audience actually comes to listen..
Tuesdays – Live Acoustic Jam! Casual listening available from the adjacent back room and hallway.
Fridays – Live Music via Acoustic Open Mic, welcoming everyone with musical talent and/or aspirations to sing and play – considered one of the best around. To sign up, first come during a Friday or Saturday evening and talk to Ralph. He will then add you on the mailing list that goes out every Friday with a sign up link.
Saturdays – Live Music via Professional Performances by groups or individual singers and musicians. Eclectic genres range from rock, folk, pop, blues, jazz, bluegrass – and more!
Can’t make it out? No worries! You can livestream most Saturday performances from our Facebook page!
Are you a musician interested in performing at Java Central?
Can’t make it out? No worries! You can livestream most Saturday performances from our Facebook page!
Are you a musician interested in performing at Java Central?
Scheduled Performances:
CAP CITY SWING
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Holiday Java Jazz – New Orleans style
The MANNINOS are back – trumpeter MILO and vocalist CHERIE, with pianist PAUL STRAWSER – to wow us with their great jazz interpretations (and more). Great people, Great show!
THE MEEK QUARTET
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Christmas Show!
(MEEK = not their attitude, but last name initials!) is a fun, entertaining and very talented four-part vocal harmony group: DAN and PAT EPLEY, TOM KAELBER and ROB MONTGOMERY. They play very eclectic music – from pop to country, gospel and even cowboy songs! But this will be a special Christmas show – with sing-along, decorations, trivia – and lots of fun!
They will generously donate all proceeds of the show to St. Jude’s Hospital.
THE BRICKWALK NIGHTS
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
7-10:00 p.m.
The Full Band!
An all-time JC favorite band performing a widely diverse and upbeat program. INCLUDING XMAS songs for this show. Lots of fun and great entertainment! Featuring lead singer/uke player BRADY FULTON, singer/guitarist CARLTON HOCKADAY, CAROLINE CROW (vocal harmonies), BANANA MAN (Andrew Kovaleski) on sax, NOAH TOLSON on percussion, and DAN THOMPSON on bass. With guest performers KELLY SPANGLER and ADAM SPENCER.
DAVE HAWKINS and MICHAEL RONSTADT
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Award-Winning Songwriters/Recording Artists
Nashville Touring artist singer/songwriter DAVE HAWKINS has been touring and recording professionally since 1976. Since his early career around Columbus, Ohio, Dave has expanded his core repertoire to Americana – country, roots rock, folk, and other styles. Dave has performed and recorded with such international stars as Sam Bush, Aoife Clancy, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), and Peter Yarrow (Peter Paul & Mary), he loves the intimacy of smaller venues.
MICHAEL G. RONSTADT (cello) is an adept multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer, captivating audiences throughout North America for over two decades. Ronstadt traverses a mélange of musical styles that range from anywhere between folk, jazz, classical, Americana and the wildly ethereal. Nephew of Linda Ronstadt, Michael brings a rich musical heritage and absolute knack for improvising.
OFF THE CHARTS (aka CAROLINE and DAD and WES+)
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
New name, same great music, harmony and talent!
FRANK HENNEBERT with CAROLINE HENNEBERT CROW and WESLEY CROW. They started at JC and now play all over the region – 60 gigs a year! Multi-genre classic hits – Oldies, pop, country, Americana – and so much fun!
LONE ROVER
Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Twangy Folk tinged with Tin Pan Alley
ROB MACCABEE and CHRIS CHROMLEY – two great friends and musicians – guitars, trumpet, trombone – growing through life and music – high school and college jazz bands, rock bands, pop bands, and now fused with their love of ’70s FM and country. Rob was horn-player, leader of funk-jazz group “New Basics Brass Band” – performing in Austin, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and with the Supafun party band.
JAZZ with BYRON STRIPLING and BOBBY FLOYD
Monday, Aug. 28, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Special Monday event. Do not miss!
BYRON STRIPLING – International trumpet player, singer, Director of Columbus Jazz Orch. And the Pittsburgh Pops Orch.
BOBBY FLOYD – national, Grammy nominated jazz pianist
LUKE MOSSBURG
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Country Singer/Songwriter
Luke Mossburg is a very popular country singer/songwriter who has played JC since 2010 and has always been a favorite here. He writes wonderful story songs from the heart, and his country voice is exceptional. In addition, Luke performs throughout central Ohio and regionally, including Nashville.
Joining him will be THE HEN AND THE CROW – an upbeat new country/Americana/bluegrass duo with Caroline and Wesley Crow (of Caroline and Dad/5th House.)
WRYGRASS
Saturday, July 8, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
BLUEGRASS!
A new bluegrass band with some favorite veterans, WryGrass consists of JOHN GEORGITON on fiddle, BRENT DAVIS on banjo, LARRY TANNER on mandolin, TIP HOUSE on guitar, and JACKIE LAMUTH on bass. They all share vocals and harmonies.
DICK PLUNK
Saturday, July 15, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
And Songwriters Showcase
Dick is a wonderful singer/songwriter who performs at JC on Saturdays, at our open Mics and jams, and who runs the Java Central Songwriter Circle (every 2nd Wed of the month.)
Joining him will be excellent JC Circle singer/songwriters ANGIE CAMPBELL, RALPH LEESEBERG, JOHN HOGAN, BERHARDT DEBATIN and JUNE COOMBS.
JOHN MORGAN Quartet
Saturday, June 3, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Singer/Fingerstyle guitarist
John is an excellent fingerstyle guitarist, songwriter and singer – and a wonderful entertainer! He performs throughout Columbus, and also leads our great Tuesday night jams at JC. He has released five CDs, one instructional DVD. John performs regularly in central Ohio and keeps a full roster of students. His music has been played on NPR and o numerous TV shows.
His recent CD, Quiet World, is a staple on NPR and his music has been featured in ads, television and movies. In addition, John has been a teacher and Artist-in-Residence at Riverside Hospital.
John will be joined by pianist CRAIG ALLEN, bassist DON SMITH, drummer PAUL BATCHELDER.
THE CASTROS
Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Award-winning Singer / Songwriter Duo
MARCO and SARA CASTRO are back after continuing their musical odyssey tour to Nashville and through Florida and New Orleans. Excellent original songs and creative covers. Joining them will be talented friends including KELLY SPANGLER.
ALUM CREEK
Saturday, Apr. 15, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
BLUEGRASS!
This excellent bluegrass / Americana band (formerly Alum Creek Singers) features JEFF CHESSER (banjo, vocals), KRIS CHESSER (bass, vocals), MATT STRAUSS (mandolin) and NEIL ARING (guitar, vocals.) Known for great four part harmonies!
WALHALLA RAMBLERS
Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
BLUEGRASS!
This excellent new bluegrass/Americana band (formerly Clintonville Grass) features CARL YAFFEY (banjo), LEA ANNE KANGA (bass, vocals), MIKE BARRIE (mandolin, vocals), WILSON BURROWS (guitar), ANDY VERHOFF (guitar, vocals). They have all played for years in various bands, now culminating in WR.
Enjoy!
LIL’ RED and THE ROOSTER
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023
5-7:00 p.m.
Award-winning “Retro Modern” Blues from France and Westerville!
Upbeat classic and original blues and jazz – from the heart! JENNIFER MILLIGAN is a wonderful vocalist and songwriter and is originally from Westerville; PASCAL FOUQUET is one of France’s top blues guitarists. A favorite at Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago and past winner of both the Columbus and Cincinnati Blues Challenges! Upbeat and fun.
BLUESSWING
Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
“Jazzy, Bluesy, Swingy. What a combination! See this new band when you get a chance. It includes a great mix of local musicians” – Bill Cohen
BluesSwing explores the blues and popular song roots of American music, from W.C. Handy to B.B. King, from Thomas “Fats” Waller to Nat “King” Cole -and adds the occasional Beatles or Elvis number to spice things up. The solid rhythmic foundation of bass (CARL YAFFEY) , and banjo (JACKIE LAMUTH) allows our tasteful lead guitar (JOHN SHERMAN) and distinctive vocals (BILL KERWIN) to send this classic mix of tunes straight to your hearts.
JC ALL-STAR “ALMOST” NEW YEARS EVE SHOW
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023
7-10 p.m.
** Many of your favorite JC bands in one night! **
Hosted by THE BRICKWALK NIGHTS, with four more of your favorite JC bands, a buffet, beverages, and more – plus a great amount of entertainment and fun. JOIN US!
STRING THEORY
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023
7-10 p.m.
‘60s-‘80s Acoustic Rock
This excellent upbeat band is one of the best around that plays spot on classic ‘60s-‘80s rock. Jefferson Airplane, Beatles, CCR, Eagles and more. Excellent musicians with great vocal harmonies – and Arie’s awesome lead vocals! A JC favorite – they are lots of fun, very good and very entertaining!
ARIE SHIVELY (lead singer, guitar), ERIC DALESANDRY (bass, singer), KERRY PATESEL (guitar, mandolin, singer), BRUCE GOLL (percussion).
KEN PARSONS
Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Excellent Singer/Songwriter from Coshocton
KEN PARSONS has been playing for over twenty years and specializes in folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter music from the 1950-70’s, and performs with a 6-string acoustic, 12-string acoustic, and harmonica. Ken plays all over Ohio and has wowed us with his vocals, musicianship and his surprisingly eclectic repertoire – Gershwin to Prine to Pink Floyd.
TBD
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
LONG TALL DEB & COLIN JOHN
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Award-Winning Blues
“DEB is the real deal with a tremendous, powerful blues voice, and COLIN JOHN is one of the best guitarist-lap steel-‘Baby Sitar’ players around!”
Texas-bred blues vocalist and songwriter LONG TALL DEB and Hawaiian Big Island slack key guitarist/singer COLIN JOHN. Their latest CD, “Dragonfly” climbed high on blues, Americana and jam band charts, a testament to their crossover appeal. Winner of the Chicago Blues Challenge.
THE RAVINES
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Pop/Rock Originals
Singer/songwriter JAMIE RAVINE SAGLE and bassist DAN THOMPSON are a popular rock/pop band taking on the Columbus music scene with great original songs. Jamie is so good and has played all over town and you know Dan from JC gigs with The Brickwalk Nights and Molly Winters.
RICK BARR
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Acoustic Rock, Country & More!
RICK BARR is a prolific performer and songwriter who plays all over town, and has his own open mic at Stadz Pizzeria on Mondays. Rick’s deep vocals and styling are Johnny Cash, but he will also play original songs from his CDs, and a very eclectic mix of covers: country and classic rock to blues and folk. Often joined by his very talented family and friends.
FIRST ANNUAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL !!!
Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023
1-7 p.m.
Special Free All-Day Event!
5 Bluegrass Bands with JC connections – A great day for excellent music and fun.
1:00 – WRYGRASS band – new band with talented veteran players
2:00 – TEN CENTS OFF band – Mike and Laura Lyons and band
3:00 – ALUM CREEK – great 4-part harmonies and outstanding vocals
4:00 – HEN AND CROW – bluegrass/Americana duo, Carloine Hennebert Crow and Wesley Crow (Caroline and Dad band, 5th House band)
5:00 – 7:00ish – GARY PUCKETT Trio with Pat Casey and Brian Szuch
SHOHEI TOYODA
Saturday, July 29, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Award-winning International fingerstyle guitar Champion
Shohei is a virtuoso guitarist and an excellent singer/entertainer. Chet Atkins style. He was born in Japan, raised in Dublin, OH, educated in Boston (performance major at Berklee College of Music) – and started out at Java Central! The National Guitar Champion of Japan, he is back on a US tour – which includes Java!
An all-time JC favorite.
THE PHANTAZMIX
Saturday, June 17, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
aka JC’s own Aaron and Heidi Herzog – and friends!
You know them as an integral part of JC’s management, but Aaron and Heidi have performed for years as The Phantazmix. They performed at JC in Feb. and last year they performed at Natalie’s in Worthington with The Castros. They are a 90’s cover band focusing on jingle pop and grunge with sprinkles of a variety from other decades. Heidi’s “Wild Horses” is a must hear!
HAWA
Saturday, June 24, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Singer/songwriter/pianist – just back from Nashville
HAWA Tarawally wowed us with her talent last year with a show at JC, and last week jamming with Lil’ Red and the Rooster, with her open mic performances, at our jam and online music. She is very talented and fun and has a great stage presence. “hawa”, a Columbus, OH born multiintrumentalist-singer-songwriter entered the scene with a bang with her debut single “Beloved” last year. Often using organic piano, orchestral strings, punchy brass, and groovy bass, hawa somehow incorporates elements that span multiple genres.
During the past year, she has been “living the dream” in Nashville, and is now back home for a couple of months. See her while you can!
BRICKWALK NIGHTS
Saturday, May 27, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Java Central is presenting a SPECIAL TICKETED FUNDRAISING EVENT hosted by and featuring one of our favorite bands, The Brickwalk Nights.
This is an opportunity for public involvement by financially supporting two of the community music activities that we will present this summer:
JC LUNCHBOX CONCERT SERIES every Tuesday from 11:30-1pm, June 6 to September 26, and our first ever BLUEGRASS FEST from 1-8pm, Sunday, Aug. 20th!
CAP CITY SWING
@ Italian Village
Sunday, May 21, 2023
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
New Orleans Jazz Trio
A native of New Orleans, CHERIE MANNINO has enjoyed an exciting professional singing career in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Columbus and abroad. Her vocal experiences include performances with timeless greats, including Tony Bennett, and singing backup for jazz icons, Keely Smith, and Rosemary Clooney, as well as pop diva, Linda Ronstadt.
Born and raised in New Orleans, MILO MANNINO has been playing his trumpet in The Big Easy and Columbus, Ohio for the past 45 years. Leading his own groups, including the North Columbus Big Band, formally the Crescent River Big Band, Milo has performed and worked with great artists like Smokey Robinson, Four Tops, Anne Murray, Connie Francis, Bobby Vinton, Al Martino, Regis Philbin, Milton Berle, Shirley Jones and Keely Smith.
JAZZ HAPPENS
@ Italian Village
Sunday, May 28, 2023
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Broadway, Jazz, Pop and Blues Quartet
“If you don’t know me yet, think of me as the love child of Bette Midler and Bonnie Raitt.”
In addition to songs made popular by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King, Cole Porter, and Barbra Streisand, DEBÉ is also writing and performing original music. She is currently performing with NORWIN MERGLER and DENEEN TROMBETTI – both amazingly talented musicians and entertainers.
J and J RECALL
Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
J & J Recall is a very talented musical duet (guitarists and vocals) consisting of JOEY WOLPERT and JIM BENNATI. Diverse rock, blues. You may have seen them perform at Uptown Friday Nights or at Barrel and Boar.
STEVEN STANLEY
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
7-9:30 p.m.
Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter
Steve is a marvelous singer/ guitarist/ songwriter from Mansfield who has always wowed us at JC. Excellent originals and diverse covers (he is a spot on Neil Young.) He has won the Ohio Music Awards “Adult Contemporary song of the Year” and was a finalist at the Columbus Songwriters Association’s annual songwriters contests in 2016 and 2017. Steve also won 1st place in the Adult category at the Ohio Theatre’s talent contest. He mainly plays in Ohio venues, but has performed professionally all along the east coast, and as far away as Brazil.
MILO MANNINO SALUTES THE GREAT TRUMPETERS
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023
5 – 7 p.m.
New Orleans trumpeter and Big Band leader MILO MANNINO and his trio showcase decades of great trumpet players and their iconic songs: Clark Terry, Al Hirt, Harry James, Chuck Mangione, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Art Farmer, Herb Alpert, Thad Jones, and King Oliver.
DAVE HAWKINS
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023
7 – 9:30 p.m.
Touring singer, songwriter and recording artist from Nashville and Columbus
Singer/songwriter Dave Hawkins has been touring and recording professionally since 1976. Since his early career playing college folk clubs around Columbus, Ohio, Dave has expanded his core repertoire to Americana—an amalgam of “non-corporate” country, roots rock, folk, and other styles, including Celtic-crossover tunes.
Although Dave has performed and recorded with such international stars as Sam Bush, Aoife Clancy, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), and Peter Yarrow (Peter Paul & Mary), he loves the energy and intimacy of smaller and more informal venues. When not in Nashville (signed with Mountainside Music Publishing, Nashville) or on tour, he plays in clubs and music halls throughout the region.
MARDI GRAS JAZZ BRUNCH
@ Italian Village
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023
12-2 p.m.
Jazz Quartet with Milo & Cherie Mannino
Plus New Orleans-inspired coffee, cocktails and food!
A native of New Orleans, CHERIE MANNINO has enjoyed an exciting professional singing career in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Columbus and abroad. Her vocal experiences include performances with timeless greats, including Tony Bennett, and singing backup for jazz icons, Keely Smith, and Rosemary Clooney, as well as pop diva, Linda Ronstadt.
Born and raised in New Orleans, MILO MANNINO has been playing his trumpet in The Big Easy and Columbus, Ohio for the past 45 years. Leading his own groups, including the North Columbus Big Band, formally the Crescent River Big Band, Milo has performed and worked with great artists like Smokey Robinson, Four Tops, Anne Murray, Connie Francis, Bobby Vinton, Al Martino, Regis Philbin, Milton Berle, Shirley Jones and Keely Smith.
Can’t make it out? No worries! You can livestream most Saturday performances from our Facebook page!
Are you a musician interested in performing at Java Central?
Can’t make it out? No worries! You can livestream most Saturday performances from our Facebook page!
Are you a musician interested in performing at Java Central?