With its screened porch, woodstove, bright quilts, wainscoting and gleaming wood floors, the Turning Point Cafe is full of old-fashioned charm. The cafe, with ample bar, is crowded four or five times a week for performances.

Monday appears to be their feature night however, and on top of their great Monday lineups, they are offering great deals for these shows. Tickets for these shows are only $15, and there are 2 sets (8:00 pm and 9:30 pm). In addition, there is no drink minimum, though great drink prices are available.

Recent appearances included names like the Persuasions, Junior Wells, the Holmes Brothers, the Bobs and Freddie Hubbard, and coming up soon are Tommy Makem, Odetta and Fairport Convention, among others.

History:

The Turning Point was started back in May of 1976 by John McAvoy and his sister Diane. The name of the club was in dispute between John who wanted to call it “The SoHo” and Diane who wanted “Sojourners Truth” (a real mouthful). Their mother intervened and suggested finding the name of a song or album as the name. Well the name was found on one of John’s favorite performer’s album “The Turning Point ” by John Mayall.

The restaurant was created in a small room seating 36 people. After dinner, local musicians would come in to play and be paid by “passing the bottle”. In 1978 Diane and John with the help of some friends, bought the building that houses the Turning Point today. Finally moving into the new location in September of 1981. Opening on the first floor only at this time, there were always plans to get the Cafe open (in the basement).

Diane left the restaurant in 1979 finally settling in Austin, Tx.. In November of 1984 they presented Eric Anderson, the first of many concerts featuring nationally prominent musicians. The next to appear was Rambin’ Jack Elliott. Slowly more and more national acts came to the Turning Point. In August of 1985 they finally got the Cafe open. The opening night performer was a little known blues guitarist from Seattle named Robert Cray. More and more artists began to appear here, including Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Mason, Poco, Orleans, Bela Fleck, Bill Monroe, Joan Osborne, Christine Lavin, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Richie Havens, Janis Ian, Rick Danko just to name a few. The rest is history, as The Turning Point continues to host some of the greatest names in jazz.

View their Performance Schedule.

Location:
Turning Point Cafe
468 Piermont Ave.
Piermont, NY 10968
(845) 359-1089
www.turningpointcafe.com