BY BRIAN MINTER — Dozens of families gathered at the new Vigilante Coffee shop in downtown Hyattsville on Saturday evening for the inaugural “Vigilante Alley Jam”, an open community jam session. Adults and children brought guitars, violins, ukeleles, mandolins and even a few keyboards.
They played and sang folk songs, kids’ songs and other favorites – from This Land is Your Land to Proud Mary to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. One of the toddlers gestured to the roomful of musicians and said “Do it again!”
The community jam session was hosted and led by Liberty Rucker, a Hyattsville resident and music teacher. Rucker’s vision was to create a space that was both family- and beginner-friendly, and she’s grateful to Chris from Vigilante Coffee for agreeing to host the event.
Attendees donated $4 or $5 per family to cover expenses, but Rucker hopes the event will become popular enough that donations aren’t needed.
Vigilante Coffee is located at 4327 Gallatin Street in Hyattsville. The next Vigilante Alley Jam has not yet been scheduled, but is expected to take place sometime in October. Check the Hyattsville Life & Times community calendar or subscribe to our events newsletter for updates.
