First, if you have been following my articles you know that Dahlonega, Georgia is one of my favorite small towns in America. I have a lot of music and dining places I like the world over. Too many to list. But, picking the above by “atmosphere,” The Crimson Moon Café is definitely in my top 10 list. When the live acoustic music is there it takes me back to the days of my youth, in coffee houses filled with great jazz, smoky rooms (now smoke-free), and poetry (and lots of tams and dark sun glasses).  Dana has brought all of this into the 21st Century and done an unbelievable job of it! This is a place to "get lost" spiritually, mentally, psychologically, and emotionally. Truly a visit to The Crimson Moon is a retreat into "a time of refreshing." One can see Dana's magic touch on every wall, in every decor and design in this "magical retreat." 

Located on the historic square right downtown Dahlonega, it is convenient to locate. 

“The Crimson Moon Café opened its doors in October of 2001 as a gallery of eclectic art and decorative antiques on the historic, public square of Dahlonega, Georgia, about an hour north of Atlanta. In an inspiring sign that the Creator was in support of the endeavor the harvest moon was full and glowing a haunting crimson red on the night of the official Grand Opening. An affirmation to the owner Dana Marie LaChance's dream/vision to provide a place that ministered to the divine and creative spirit that exists in every human being. Thus the mission statement "To support, promote,  and reward creativity.”

The walls and shelves of the circa1858 Parker-Nix Storehouse that housed the gallery welcomed the works of artists from all over North Georgia and displayed them among eclectic antique tables, chairs and glass cases - some of which were purchased with the Storehouse. Some of these had never shown their talent to the public, and some were established, successful artists looking for a better place to be.

Furthering the "creative ministry" vision of the owner, the gallery soon opened a Student Scholarship area where students of the local middle school, high school, and colleges could display and sell their creative visions free of a usual 'space' charge. Through a combination of the location on Dahlonega's popular historic square; the creative energy and nurturing spirit of the Gallery's managers, Kelly Kelsey and Beth Brightwell; the quality/variety of the art work that soon covered the walls and shelves; and the creative input of most every person that walked through the doors, The Crimson Moon Gallery soon became home to the creative work of over 30 artists from the North Georgia area from a dozen different mediums.

The second chapter in the story of The Crimson Moon was completed with the opening of an authentic coffee house in the back saloon area of the 150 year-old building under the creative guidance of Café Manager, Fawnna Egizi. Serving only organic, shade grown, fairly traded coffees/teas and locally made baked goods, The Crimson Moon Café & Coffee House soon became a favorite "hangout" for locals, visitors, and students that relished a comfortable and supportive environment for relaxation, study, or conversation. Patrons also enjoyed a wide variety of great "tunes" played from the personal music collections of the owner and the staff of "The Moon": contemporary folk rock/pop; vintage & contemporary blues; soul-filled jazz; traditional 'mountain music'... bluegrass & old time; haunting Celtic; and a variety of 'world-folk' that speaks to The Crimson Moon Café's inherent philosophy of tolerance and support for creativity throughout all cultures.

From the owner's love for music birthed the next chapter of The Crimson Moon Café - the one that enjoyed the most passion from owner, Dana Marie LaChance, whose life-long dream had been to open a smoke-free "listening" music venue that supported independent performing artist and celebrated the talents of singer/songwriters from all music genres. A stage was built, a great sound system was purchased, and a booking manager marketing specialist and sound engineer were hired. Soon, The Crimson Moon Café became known as "the southeast most intimate music venue," hosting a wide variety of regionally and nationally touring acoustic artist as they traveled the Southeastern entertainment circuit, that now included The Crimson Moon Cafe.

To better accommodate the growing entertainment offerings of The Crimson Moon Cafe a careful selection of boutique wines and imported/micro-brewed beers were added to the beverage menu, as well as a variety of freshly made sandwiches, homemade soups, quiches, salads, and baked goods. The next several years were spent slowly upgrading the quality of the artist who were booked to perform on state in the venue sector of the business, while the cafe sector was busy experimenting with new and improved menu additions to the health focused "deli" menu - all which was prepared entirely from toaster ovens, crock post, and cutting boards behind the coffee house counter! As more seats for great music and food were needed the gallery sector was also slowly morphed into more of a "gift gallery" featuring The Crimson Moon Cafe logo adorned merchandise, socially conscious buttons and bumper stickers, motivational books, Putamayo's world folk music, a larger Life Is Good inventory - because "life" was getting better every day at The Crimson Moon Cafe!

In 2006, the final chapter of Dana's vision for The Crimson Moon Cafe became a reality with the addition of a brand new state-of-the-art kitchens to the rear of the Parket Nix Storehouse and the hiring of a renowned chef to create an expanded full service menu. To accommodate folks who might want to enjoy the wonderful menu items in a more conversational atmosphere, the second story of the building was also renovated to offer cozy private dining rooms, a comfy sofa filled lounge area, and New Orleans style "dining with a view" from the porch overlooking Dahlonega's historic Public Square.

Finally, a dream was made a reality, and a place of ministry and community has been created where the authentic creative spirit in all human beings can rise and shine. As a result, The Crimson Moon is rapidly gaining in reputation as "the southeast's most intimate music venue" as well as a place of support and respite for area artist of all types. Ask any local about The Crimson Moon Cafe and they will often describe it as "the coolest, most happening place in Dahlonega."

This is the place, four days a week, for bluegrass, jazz, blues, Celtic, folk, Americana, fine organic coffees, forty selections of beer or wine, and an outstanding general deli menu.  Their web site has an excellent Event Calendar.

Meet the Staff

,

“Dana Marie David LaChance, Proprietor & Booking Agent. Dana, born in Columbus Georgia to a Dawsonville, Georgia career army man, and her mom, a Macon, MS talented southern woman. Dana moved nearly thirty times before settling in Dahlonega in 1980 with husband, Ben, owner of Appalachian Outfitters river outfitting business. Now has son, Chapin, and daughter Naomi, who are the seventh generation of Dana's forefathers who helped settle the Dahlonega area. Dana Marie has always loved music, art, good wine, and healthy food. She opened The Crimson Moon in October of 2001 as the culmination of a life-long dream to provide a place of ministry to the authentic creative spirit that exists in everyone. A singer-songwriter herself in the style of Joan Baez, Bonnie Rait, and Melissa Etheridge, Dana was mentored by women like Mother Teresa, Indira Ghandi, Joan Baez, and Jane Fonda who stood up or sang out for what they believed - whether it was popular or not. Dana dreams of one day being a full time writer, but is presently consumed with being a mother, wife, professional property manager, and sole owner of The Crimson Moon Cafe.”

About the chef: 

Kelly Finucan

Kelly Finucan was born in Illinois and raised in Michigan. She began cooking with her mom at age 4, preferring easy bake ovens to dolls.  She began cooking in restaurant at the age of 14, became the executive chef at the tender age of 20 at the Kalamazoo Country Club. Chef Kelly has a B.S. degree in Food Service Administration and Hotel Management from Western Michigan University. She specializes in fine dining, large catering operations, and country club dining. Kelly has been a professional in the food service industry for over 20 years and has been written up in 7 different magazines, including Southern Living and Restaurant Review (was featured as Chef of the Month).

If I lived in this beautiful Georgian town, I would try my best to have a pre-paid life-time membership and a seat marked in red, "reserved for John C. Jones,” so any time I was free I could be assured of a place in “one of my most favorite places in the earth,” when I could drop by to have my spirit refreshed and taste buds delighted.  Thanks Dana for giving the world a place like this.  Happy Traveling.