Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
JEWISH CAFE CHANTANT
An Institution Similar to Those in
France Introduced in New York

From the New York Evening Post
The cafe chantant Of Paris is a Ioadstone
to Americans visiting the French apital. hpt
all attempts to introduce it in New York in
either French or American form have nrov
en- failures The Germans In the metronolis
nave long had 1t In Teutonic form, but #
mas been as sort Of annex to the beer
ana cold luncheon business It is therefore
matter or some surprise to find that the
russian Jews of the East Side have deyel-
oped 1t into prosperous institution.
AT least thirty are in operation in the dis
trlct east OF the Bowery and Sd avenue.
and between Canal and 18th streets
Inc establishments are nearly all on the
ground floor. In some the place ia a bs1l
from the front door to the back of the house
with small platform at the rear or on the
side. in others the floor Is divided into a
front and back room. the musical features
being given in the latter. Most of the f.
fairs are saloons Of the German type. with
tables and chairs cold luncheon ana q
kitchen where hot dishes can be prenared
Coffee, tea, and Russian tea NAV be nh
tanned in all. Stimulants are used In mod
GRAFTON, and 1nebr1ety Is very rare The
d1stfllateS are not so much in demand as
among Americans. Beer and CaUfornian
and Hungarian wines are in vogue and in
many may be found vodky or Russian
pranay' snVoVltcn or Rumanian plum
Jewish honey wine, and Jewish curranf
wine.
The food supply includes white. brown
black and unleavened breads, sardines sar
dellon, spiced picked fish, cheese. meats
potatoes and salads. The material though
often coarse is always good, and the cook
ing is praiseworthy. The stage PERFORM
ances given in Yiddish and frequently
in English Vocal solos by black-eyed girls
are the main feature. duos are not uncom
mon; Instrumental solos, notably on the
violin, are frequent; monologues. fancy
dances, vaudeville teams, and specialties
are somewhat in vogue.
The patronage is drawn mostly from, the
neighborhood so that there is a friendly
feeling in the audience. The performers
mingle with the latter when not filling their
places on the program. A few give NATL
nees, but in general the entertainment runs
| from to II in the evening.
While local and timely hits, funny gags,
and humorous illusions to people in the au-
| dtence are the rule, no coarseness nor in
| delicacy is permitted-that is to saw in
deicacy from a Russian or Austrian noint
| Of view. In these countries kind of humor
| is employed on the stage which is not toll
| Grated by Americans in places of public
amusement. With this exception the ner
| music Is fair and sometimes very good.
| Jews have a natural taste for music and
Jewish audiences are always critical MANY
| OF the singers and instrumentaiists are stu
| dents. who take this means OF earning the
money to support themselves and finish
| their musical education. Few of the singers
| have the lung power or physique necessary
/ to become successful In their calling. Nv
| the time they have gained a good TECHNIQUE
| they either break down and lose their voica
| or, what is more frequent, they marry and
/ give up their musical ambitions altogether.