Utica's Tramontane Café - A Convivial Poetry Place & More

Photo credit: Garrett Ingraham

If you happen to be driving northbound along the arterial and notice a colorful façade tucked away to your right, it's the eclectic, welcoming Tramontane Café. Hang a quick right and then another, and you’re there.

Located just off the Court Street exit at 1105 Lincoln Ave, this restaurant/coffee shop is well worth discovering. In addition to a menu featuring vegetarian/vegan cuisine, “The Tram” hosts a variety of entertainments, including the Utica Poets Society Open Mic Night every Thursday evening at 7:30.

 Where else in the Utica area can you enjoy a delicious meal or beverage while listening to the latest poems read aloud by local aspiring, talented and yes - even well-established - poets of all ages?

 Your editor attended for the first time on April 13^th and was instantly taken with the ambience and comaraderie. Patrons ranging in age from college student to retiree mingled and got themselves signed up to read their poems to those eager to listen and applaud their efforts. And while the Tram can sometimes be a venue for spirited conversation, the presence of a microphone broadcasts the poets’ voices all the way through the room.

 The evening’s emcee  Kelley Citrin read some of her own poetry in between introducing the other poets in random order. One of our Whitesboro Writers Group members, Virginia native Terry Rainey, read two heartfelt poems inspired by his daughter’s recent wedding. A close friend of the WWG family and long-time favorite at the Tram, Monica Reid entertained us in her trademark dramatic style with a series of poems on a variety of topics.

 It’s not just poetry, though. Writer/attorney/golf expert Jay Flemma of Forest Hills wowed us with his recent article about Sergio Garcia's long-overdue win at the 2017 MastersTournament.

 

Monica Reid

When asked about her Tram experience, Monica Reid said: “It’s about folks expressing themselves. We get some fantastic unicorns, sometimes, and I always feel like I know someone better once I've heard their words. It's rare for folks to get a safe place to put their feelings into a healthy format, and we always clap. We on occasion get people who use poetry to combat their struggles. It can be a great place for healing...kind of magical, you know?

     “We do frequently get excellent published & prize winning poets who use the Tram as a means to get their message voiced. The caliber and variety that come at any given night can be quite amazing.” 

 (Monica added that the founder of the Utica Poets Society is Greg Ingraham and one of the frequent hosts is poet Mike Cecconi. I hope to meet them both during the next visit.)

Terry Rainey

Terry said: “The Tram is a great place to celebrate with people who love words, both spoken and written. I love its informal, intimate atmosphere. The variety of poets and wordsmiths is remarkable and talented.   And provocative!

     The sharing of words and the support for all presenters is energizing.  Reading there is at first intimidating but then encouraging. I always gain insights about my poems, hearing them aloud myself with an appreciative audience listening along. Special kudos to Mike Cecconi, Monica, and the other emcees. Oh, and the chocolate milk shakes nourish my poetic soul.”

  

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 For more information about the Tram, check them out on Twitter and Facebook and on the web. Better yet, check them out in person, any day of the week. Odds are you'll want to come back again and again, maybe even to read your own poems to the appreciative crowd.

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The Tramontane Cafe - (315) 732-8257
1105 Lincoln Ave, Utica, NY
is open daily:
Monday 9AM-5 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday 9 AM - 10 PM
Thursday 9 AM - 10 PM - Utica Poets Society Open Mic Night @ 7:30
Friday 9 AM-11 PM
Saturday 12 noon- 11 PM
Sunday 5PM- 11 PM -  Open Mic Night, for both spoken and sung word. 

Have you been to the Tram? Let us know about your experience in the comment section below.