Cofell’s concert blend of Christmas cheer

by Patric Lewandowski

news@thenewsleaders.com

The holidays come with all types of traditions, from caroling to cookie making. One St. Joseph tradition is entering its ninth year: the Dave Cofell Christmas Show at Local Blend.

“It started small nine years ago but it has really grown,” said Dave Cofell, founder and host of the Christmas show. “The Local Blend didn’t have a regular Christmas show at the time and I had young kids. I wanted to have a family-friendly show at my favorite local venue.”

When Cofell started the annual Christmas show, he had a very clear vision of the kind of show he wanted to build.

“(I wanted) one that would be welcoming to people from all over town, or the state or the Midwest,” he said. “We actually have people coming from as far away as Fargo or the Twin Cities regularly.”

During the past nine years, the show certainly has grown. Besides Cofell playing guitar and singing, there are usually several guest acts covering not just music but spoken word and poetry. Past special guests have included Jeff Engholm, Dennis Kennedy, Rick Brix and Adam Hammer, Cofell’s Open Mic cohost. As for the line-up for this year, Cofell is keeping mum, just promising, “It gets better every year.”

Typically, the crowd is huge, packing the small venue with people. “There have been some years where it has been shoulder-to-shoulder,” Cofell said. “Probably 150 over the course of the night.”

Due to the size of the crowd, Cofell recommends coming early for the 7 p.m. start time.

“Definitely want to get in early. It tends to fill up,” Cofell advised. “And normally what we do here, if two people take a booth, we’ll encourage them to invite people to join them in the booth. A lot of times, people end up making new friends here, which is really neat. I like that sort of community-building that happens.”

The social aspect is definitely Cofell’s favorite part of the event. Another favorite is since it started as a family affair for Cofell, it continues to be a family tradition to this day.

“I have a special elf who helps out with all this stuff – my wife,” he said, smiling. She gets up and dances, and so do the children. My three daughters get up on stage and sing with me. They’re a senior in high school through grade-school age.”

When asked about his favorite parts of the show, Cofell talked about a dance song he and Hammer wrote that will get the audience on their feet.

“There’s a Christmas song Adam Hammer and I wrote eight years ago with some preschoolers at Oak Hill in Sartell,” he said. “It involves dance motions, so we get people up and moving.”

There’s also Cofell’s special version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

“For me, that song has always been a little too long so I just go straight to day 12,” he said. “Bam, we’re done.”

Cofell presents his ninth annual Christmas Show from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Local Blend, 19 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. Admission is free.