Postcrypt Co ee House

Postcrypt Coffeehouse

by Roxane Carre

Nested inside of St Paul Chapel on Columbia’s campus, Postcrypt Coffeehouse has crafted a household name for itself to the joy of Columbia University students and music connoisseurs in nearby communities alike. Coming into the crypt on a Friday or a Saturday night between 6 to 8 p.m., you will pleasantly find open mic enthusiasts and tiny concert lovers relishing in the musical talent, poetry reading, and other delightful entertainment that Postcrypt hosts weekly.

Folkin’ around since 1964, Postcrypt’s campus presence and renowned reputation has long been established and warmly appreciated. Starting as a “dusty storage room [...] clean out,” the crypt was gratefully redecorated and turned into the musical home that it is to this day, thanks to the inspiration and will of Rev. John Cannon and Dotty Janke. Descending the Chapel’s wooden, spiral staircase and entering a small but mighty four-feetby-fifteen feet homey space, Postcrypt attendees can expect characteristic sights: the ever-present and wildly cherished twinkling lights, a stately, eerie lamp hanging

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low next to and illuminating the night’s performers in a dimmed red hue, a black chair, a black music stand, an excited lineup of musical and literary artists and, of course, a room full of cozied-up college students and Morningside Heights community members ready to snap and clap in admiration, enjoyment, and support. This coziness seems to be Postcrypt’s trademark. No matter the season, attendees can rely on its beloved (and spooky) bright orange flameless candles and crowd favorite Postcrypt Tonight gothic writing printed on a vase-shaped wooden slice to orient them to the show.

Having had the pleasure of attending three Postcrypt shows this semester—two being outdoors and the last back in the famous crypt, an emotional return following the year-and-a-halflong, COVID-19-imposed hiatus—each time, I have been mesmerized. From the songwriting and instrumental talent to the powerful poise and elegant delivery of poets and writers alike, each performing artist deliciously fed the fruits of their creative self-expression into the attendees’ ears. Among Postcrypt’s enchanting musical wizards are singer-songwriters Max Patel, CC ’23—known under the stage name Jayani— Caroline Sky, BC ’22, Eva Westphal, CC ’23, and Sarah Kinsley, CC ’22. With grace, stage presence, and clear musical skill, each of these performers’ ten-minute acts were captivating to watch and utterly charming to hear. Sitting down on one of the white plastic chairs under Low Tent or one of the traditional wooden stools, each performance at a Postcrypt concert is a pure breath of fresh air, a moving musical roller-coaster that hugs you sweetly on the soft notes and lashes out in loops and spirals on the soaring choruses.

A perfect date night activity between friends, lovers, or strangers, and a tried and true train ride to an otherworldly destination, Postcrypt Coffeehouse is a gift that keeps on giving, warmly and kindly, twice weekly.

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