In evolutionary biology, it's called divergent evolution: two species arise from common ancestry after becoming disjoined for one reason or another. One of those species might reach the end of its viability and be lost to extinction, while the other continues into constant transformation.
Café Evolution in Florence is an outgrowth of the erstwhile Northampton café, Fire & Water. Owner Star Drooker says that "Café Evolution is more of a visual, gallery space," while Fire & Water was designed as a venue for performance arts. Drooker says that he achieved his goal with the latter, which is why he closed it. But before the "Out of Business" sign was hung on the door, he was ready to begin a new project. Thus arose Café Evolution.
It has elements that are all its own—local art adorns the walls, there is a full menu of vegan fare and Oh Sweet Mama's Vegan Bakery has set up shop in the space. But it has also retained the performance element from its previous incarnation. "It has aspects of Fire & Water, but it's the next step from that," says Drooker.
The café is home to the Evolution Trio—a jazz trio that plays most Saturday nights—and poetry night is held on the first Thursday of each month. Drooker says that as the still-young endeavor comes into its own, he expects music to flourish at Café Evolution. For now, it is still the only place to hear the Evolution Trio (whose Alex Snydman is pictured) do their thing.
