Barkah News

 Alkhobar musicians perform live at Bohemia Cafe. Enjoy coffee there.

ALKHOBAR: There aren't many cafes like the new Bohemia Cafe around. It appears as though you have just drove up to your stylish friend's house. There's a calm, little garden path leading to a tastefully decorated room that is waiting to welcome you and offer you a strong cup of coffee as background music plays.

This replica, which opened in early 2023, is a cozier, more sophisticated take on the original Bohemia Cafe.

Established in 2018, the original location boasted an earthy vibe with a hint of fun and funky, all while being located in a busy area of the city. However, the all-glass area did not entirely match the bohemian energy and was beset by a lack of parking spaces in a business structure facing traffic.Following the closure of the former location, Alkhobar's music scene lost a gathering place where musical collaborations took place.

However, it appeared more their style at this new location, in the quaint historic district of northern Alkhobar. It has remained true to its Alkhobar origins while developing into a charming standalone home with lots of inside and outdoor seats and a large front yard.

Located in the heart of the arts district, this hybrid cafe serves as a unique spot for buying and selling vinyl records in the area. It has evolved into a kind of hidden haven where local creative types congregate to enjoy music, refreshments, and handcrafted pastries.Notable music festivals like XP and MDLBEAST have made both glamorous Riyadh and Jeddah venues seem a lot more mainstream, although charming Alkhobar has always been more of an off-the-beaten-path destination.

The east coast has long benefited from a culture rooted in a more carefree way of living. Bohemia Cafe is more than just what it describes as "an independent music record store and cafe in Alkhobar." It is the lifeblood of the community's music enthusiasts and distinctly Alkhobar.It is perhaps one of the few places that accepts performers of all skill levels and one of the few that gives amateurs the opportunity to participate. Most visitors to Bohemia on their live performance nights (which may feature open mics or nights honoring specific singers) should be prepared for the unexpected. The evening is a varied bag, much like a mixtape, with some performers showcasing their skill with instruments and others using a microphone to yell and move. The group appears to exist beyond of space and time.

A notification is posted on social media several days ahead of time for any upcoming open mic at Bohemia, and interested musicians can sign up by sending a direct message. It costs between SR75 ($20) and SR100 for a ticket for those who only want to watch and sip. On the day of the performance, you can use this as store credit to purchase music or other items.

Fatima, who considers herself an artist, adores the cafe's design, but she is most proud of how local artists are featured in such a joyful and safe setting.She enjoys spending her evenings in the room, holding a warm drink and feeling awed as the winter nights grow longer. She gets excited every time she comes because she gets to hear old voices and hear new ones.

Fatima, who has attended multiple open mics, told Arab News that Bohemia has given them access to live music, something that other coffee shops don't offer.

"Every live performance has a unique atmosphere; the variety of bands, the genres they've chosen, and the intended audience all reveal how much of a passion for music unites everyone here," the speaker remarked.

Indeed, music is what draws people in and keeps them coming back.

Dana, who performs under the stage name "Farasha," which means butterfly in Arabic, happened found the cafe by accident one karaoke night at the old Bohemia. She was able to expand her wings thanks to the thrilling experience.

"It was an accident. I once went to the old branch for a karaoke night in 2021 or 2022, when I saw folks perform. I didn't register. And I thought, "I want to hold the microphone." Thus, I did," she said to Arab News.

She was supported by her sisters and friends, who urged her to take a chance. Since she knew the band would be able to play "Hit the road, Jack," she got up and started belting out the song. Many joined in the singing. She enjoyed herself. She claimed that during her performance, she channeled her idol, Hannah Montana, a fictional character from a well-known Disney program who is a typical adolescent with a side career as a great pop singer.

"I also want to rock out," Farasha remarked.

She sang a few songs at the most recent open mic in late November. As she struck the notes, her hands fluttered elegantly, her confidence low and her voice clear. And when she would occasionally mispronounce a line or two, the audience would fill it in and join her in harmony.

"I was somewhat anxious when I performed for the first time. My sisters gave me a lot of encouragement. Everyone was applauding. Following that, I had an invitation to perform later by the owner, Fawaz, after I had done a little session at Ladies Night. It was a wonderful encounter. Therefore, this wasn't the first time for me; I think this was the third or fourth time," she remarked.

She was speaking of Fawaz Alsulaim, the owner, who was always there yet never intrusive. The proprietor is the one who best captures the spirit of both the old and new Bohemia Cafes.

Described as a quiet but outgoing millennial, Alsulaim frequently sits quietly, radiating wisdom and possibly inner tranquility. He is friendly but evasive at the same time. He took advantage of the best view point by carefully positioning himself in a corner during the previously mentioned open mic, giving performers comforting nods yet hardly taking center stage. He is just there to recognize potential and develop it thanks to his cool head and keen eye and ear for talent.

"At an open mic, with just an acoustic guitar, or even doing it karaoke style, we discovered so many talents, so many people who didn't even consider pursuing music careers or performing," grinned Alsulaim as she spoke to Arab News. He said, "So, so many people started their music careers this way—them getting the rush of performing live."

Alsulaim would be there to offer words of encouragement, but would never put pressure on you, if you wanted to sing but were nervous.

While some who prefer to perform live are seasoned pros, others have only ever used their hairbrushes in their bedrooms.

A young woman entered the stage on the day of our visit, her face partially hidden behind a mask and donning a baseball cap. It was her first time singing in front of an audience, she added, and she politely begged that people not take pictures or videos of her performance. Nobody held up a phone throughout the whole of her performance. Everyone did nothing but watch, cheer for her, and sing along when she asked.

Some artists bring their own music, either in Arabic or English. What's clear is that it's an environment that encourages experimentation. People will listen to you if you have the courage to speak up in front of them.

Approximately half of the dozen or so persons who sign up to perform are first-timers on average.

"Anyone can perform here at any time, for any purpose they choose. We never turn someone away if they want to sing," Alsulaim told Arab News.

When Arab News visited, Alsulaim kept his word. People began to depart at the announcement of the closing act. However, an individual in the front row who had been nodding and clapping along the entire night was casually singled out. With pleasure, he took the stage for a song. Two, followed by three. Many of those departing took a seat.

The artist was none other than Nader Al-Fassam, a fixture on the scene and at Bohemia in particular, who has been a local legend in the Alkhobar underground since the 1990s. He can sing both more obscure favorites and well-known top-40 hits with ease. He frequently plays unique music of his own.

After his performance, he told Arab News, "I wasn't supposed to perform tonight but somebody didn't show up so I was kind of pushed to take his place."

Al-Fassam, a mainstay at local music-themed events, is possibly the ideal embodiment of both the old and modern Bohemia. He plays lead guitar for Sound of Ruby, a psychedelic punk band from Saudi Arabia. Like Alsulaim, he is anxious for the next wave of talented people from the Eastern Province to come forward and join the group.

Al-Fassam told the audience prior to the Open Mic's grand finale that Bohemia Cafe is the perfect place for him to celebrate his 50th birthday because it hits all the right notes. Alsulaim nodded elegantly, and everyone—presumably invited guests—went into a flurry of applause.Alsulaim's evident delight in discovering and showcasing regional talent has evolved into a lighthearted shake of his head when asked if he would be performing at the upcoming performance or at Al-Fassam's.He answered, "Unfortunately, I'm not a musician; I just sell some music."\