OUT AND ABO-UT at the l<ll~I .. the CiRYPBON .. or the XA~-DOCOEFEEHOUSE

by Cheryl Wagstaffand LucyTrugllo

staff writers

On a nice fall day, it is very possible that there are Cabrini students out in front of Founders Hall or surrounded around the peace pole either talking or listening to. a someone play the guitar. It is quite obvious to the general public of Cabrini College that there are a great deal of talented students who attend this college. There are students who are searching for an outlet to express their talents. One opportunity to get off campus and show people other than Cabrini students your talents, is tci get off campus and show others what you are capable of doing. Whether it be by singing, playing an instrument, or reading poetry.

Coffee houses in the area provide the opportunity for people to share their talents by entertaining others. The majority of Cabrini students only know of Xando's Coffee House, but there are two other coffee shops along Lancast- er Ave. as well, that provide more than just rare coffees and excellent conversation.

"It is somewhere to go and get away. It has nice a nice atmosphere. 11

Bryn Mawr graduate student

The Gryphon Cafe located on Lancaster Ave. near the movie theater, between Color Me Mine and Wayne Jewelers and Silversmiths, is a place to relax, study, and express yourself.

The Gryphon Cafe has been open now for five years. They are open Mon. through Fri.7 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sun. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. They stop serving at 10 p.m. but patrons are welcome to stay until U p.m.

During the day, most of the customers are business people. However, the nighttime atmosphere consists mainly of college students·. Some Cabrini students are regulars at this cafe. Most of the students who go to the Gryphon attend Eastern, Vtllanova, or are in law school.

On Monday nights they have open mic. night. On Thursday nights local bands display their talents.

Graduate student Clay Cofer, who attends Bryn Mawr College, started coming to the Gryphon last year to study. "It is somewhere to go and get away. It has a nice atmosphere." Cofer said. Other people from Bryn Mawr come to the coffee house as well; most of them undergraduates and others are former employees.

The Gryphon is not only a hang out for college students, four aupairs from Sweden started coming three to four months ago.

They heard about the coffee house from other aupairs in the area. They go there because of it's relaxing atmosphere.

Sophomore Catherine Luko said, "It is very quaint, like in the movies, it is small but just the right size."

If someone's interested in entertaining or being -entertained The Point at West Lancaster Ave. and North Merion ? is the place to be if you want to listen to good music and sip on exotic teas. The motto of this coffee house is exotic teas, light fare, good friends and great music. They are open Monday through Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 12 midnight, and Sunday until 10 p.m.

The audience and participants range from all different ag,es. Tuesday is open mic. night and Wednesday they host and open music circle.

There are many aspects of The Point that draw different people of different interests to the coffee house. While you can purchase food there, you can also bring your own beverages other than coffee.

The music that is played there is mainly folk, however other types are welcome. If you want to see the family of some local celebrities and the prodigy of some musical celebrities of yesterday, The Point is the place to go. Best of Philly 2001 rated The • Point the best music venue. .Best of City Search 2001 also rated it the best place to hear live music.

If traveling into the city is an option there is a place called Bishop's Collar at 2349 Fairmount Ave. For good food and drinks, while enjoying an outdoor atmosphere you can hear authentic Cuban music.

If you are looking for a place to lay back, sip on some Chai tea, listen to soothing music or even hear words expressed in the form of poetry; college students seem to agree that coffee houses are the places to be.