Edward, Enchanted

I first met Mike and Gretchen when I was 18 and came in to the Cafe via my volunteer work with TheFoundry, which was Speakeasy’s technology education venture.

Superfan Turned Crew

I had always been a super-fan, lived in Ballard, came to Belltown all the time, used the terminals, very tech-savvy and tech-happy.

SST #1

At the young age of 15 I attended an alternative school by the name of Puget Sound Community School (PSCS). I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the Speakeasy Cafe on a regular basis and attend various classes hosted there.

No Money for Adventure

I have an intense romantic nostalgia for RAIN terminals. I was 17 when I moved to Seattle, and I really didn’t know anyone.

Handwritten Resumes

I asked to talk to the manager and this short, attractive, direct woman in cutoff jeans and a white v-necked t-shirt came out and asked me a few questions. I think I answered them.

Didgeridoo, with Jam

It was one of the most musical improvisation sessions I have participated in.

Rolling Kegs with Humans in the Way

I loved my early days working weekend nights at the Speakeasy Cafe, behind the bar in a packed house. People came for great bands like Kultur Shock and The Tom Marriott Quartet.

Back to the Future

When I moved to Seattle in early 1996, the Speakeasy had RAIN Mail terminals at the Allegro, among other places, with which you could get a shell account and explore the early Internet through e-mail and a Unix prompt.

Infamous Alleyways

I’ve been a bass player in a few Seattle bands over the years, and back in the day I used to have band practice in the dank basement below the world famous Rendezvous bar in Belltown.