Locals Farm Market has brought back their pasta, pizza, and open jam sessions for the community to enjoy food and entertainment.
These experiences come back annually, mainly during the fall with pasta on Wednesdays, pizza on Thursdays, and Open Jam Sessions on Friday. Pasta and pizza nights have their own special menus that are specific to the given night, and it has quickly grown to become a busy time of the year for the restaurant.
The Open Jam performances have moved to Riverworks, an establishment also founded by Locals owner David Therriault. Riverworks hosts art classes, performances, and exhibits. Locals is still a part of the establishment, so people can enjoy a meal while watching the performances.
“The Jam sessions have been a huge success both for novice musicians and talented musicians to meet and play,” said Therriault. “It has also been quite well received by our Locals customers, some of which come every week to see.”
According to Therriault, it’s brought together strangers and friends of all ages to have fun. The experience is different from an open mic, because this is an active open circle of different people playing together.
“I like it because it’s pretty fun and my co-workers work well when there’s people on the stage,” said senior Arturo Chomba, who works at Locals. “It’s busy and we have to move fast… it’s a nice experience.”
People tend to show up more for the pizza and pasta nights compared to the regular menu, and there’s more turnout when there are performers.
“We have more people coming in with the pizza and pasta nights and they are big groups of people like family,” said Chomba. “There’s a lot of people who show up regularly, but there’s still always new people.”
During the Open Jam Sessions, anyone can come up and show off their musical talent. Senior Brooke Palmer, who has performed at Locals, said she found out about the opportunity from others who had performed, along with just going out to eat there. Palmer mentioned that while she’s played at other establishments, the atmosphere at Locals draws her back.
“I find this jam has a more welcoming community and the audience is almost like my family…I was able to make so many new friends that share the same passions as me,” said Palmer. “Going to places that connect you to the thing you love will also bring you to the people that you love.”
“This project celebrates our history, supports local artists and small businesses,” Therriault said. “Together, we’re helping Poolesville and the Agricultural Reserve grow.”
