When the music stops

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

the Dream Cafe is on the market

A Penticton business, where bands such as Jeff Healey & the Jazz Wizards have performed, is up for sale.

Owner Pierre Couture said he put the Dream Café on Front Street on the market on Monday.

“Probably the biggest reason is we are tired,” he said. “My wife and I are in our 60s and we just need a break.”

The venue opened across the street from its current location in 2001.

In the beginning, its vision was to create a place where people could come eat and visit, maybe read a book, with music playing in the background.

Musicians started playing there and before long they had a full calendar of music.

Recognizing the need to grow, they moved to their present location. In July 2005, the grand opening was held, featuring Healey.

Healey was so excited about this new club in BC, that he returned again to grace the stage, before he passed away, according to the owners.

Over the years, many other blues, jazz and folk musicians have performed there, including Judy Collins and Dan Hill.

Spoken word performer Shane Koyczan has also appeared on stage.

Upcoming performances include Bill Bourne, an eight time Juno award nominee, and Shane Philip and his one man show.

Couture and his wife Debra Rice recognize how special the Penticton club is and will not be selling to just anyone.

He hopes to stay involved as long as he can and still has acts booked through the fall.

“We’ve nurtured this like a child, and I feel sad about it,” he said. “People are saying Pierre you can’t leave. But you have to leave sooner or later. I can boogie until I’m 65. I don’t know about 85.”