For more than 20 years there has been an extraordinary acoustic music mecca in Ottawa - Rasputin's cafe. It's the kind of restaurant where the regulars help themselves to the beer and wine fridge, and the dessert table. At the end of the night you tell the owner what you had, and pay up your bill. It makes me very proud to say the trust was never abused. The heart of this oasis was acoustic (folk) music. Each night of the week there were genres or themes. Monday - celtic night, Tuesday - open jam, Wednesday - open stage, Thursdays - alternating old time, bluegrass, swing, jazz Fridays and Saturdays - concerts and Sundays - storytelling.

Last fall, in an attempt to burn down the larger building that housed the restaurant, Rasputin's fell victim to arson. The owner, after 20+ years, decided it was a chance to retire from running a restaurant. So our music home was lost. Many of the jams and stages moved to other locations.

This past week I caught up with my friends from the open jam night. (all the musicians sit in a circle and take turns leading and supporting songs). Apparently they have put a movement together to revive the restaurant - music hub idea. Their idea is to create a co-operative of music organizers and partner with a local restaurant. They would organize, book, and run the music part of the business and the restauranteur would handle food and beverages.

Guess who has volunteered to build a business model and a business case to take to some potential partners. Thought you might get a kick out of the BM I put together. The model is only in draft, and I am working out possible graphics.

Comments from the hub are more than welcome.

Mike