Rosettas for Relief: Japan

What: Red Cross Relief fundraiser for Japan.

When: Friday, May 20, 7pm, and Friday, May 27, 7pm.

Where: Sunergos Coffee 306 West Woodlawn Avenue, Louisville KY 40214, and Quills Coffee, 930 Baxter Avenue, Louisville KY 40204

Who: You

How: Sunergos and Quills will be partnering to put on a couple of events that will serve to raise proceeds that will go to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts in Japan. There will be a latte art competition at each event, an auction for various services and goods at the Sunergos fundraiser, and a raffle at the Quills fundraiser.

Why: The earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and after-shocks and their consequences have left much of Japan in a dire situation. Many of the baristas and coffee professionals in the Louisville coffee community personally know and have competed against some Japanese baristas, and we felt very compelled to help out.

The Details: At both events, the latte art competition will be open to anyone who wants to enter. The entry fee for one event will be $10, but for any competitor who would like to enter both, the entry fee will be $15, and that will cover both events. Free coffee, which has been donated by various coffee roasters throughout the country, will be served at both Sunergos and Quills. At Sunergos, there will be an auction for goods and services that have been donated, as well as roastery tours and free live music. At Quills, there will be a raffle for goods and services that have been donated, and tickets for that raffle will be available in the days and weeks prior to the 27th, with no need to be present to win. Your presence, of course, is both welcome and desired both nights!

UPDATE: Recently, the brains behind this little shindig got together and came up with one heck of an idea. We realized that for many of you who won’t be participating in the latte art competition, you may feel a certain degree of disinterest in all that pulling and pouring of fleeting liquid beauty… unless, of course, you, too, could participate. How so? Smite Cards, ladies and gentlemen, Smite Cards. You see, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the right to intervene in the competition and, er, smite your favorite barista(s) just as they go up to compete. Think they’re too calm and composed? Add a bit of dizziness to their routine by playing the Spinning Class card, which gives you the right to make both baristas spin around and around and around with their head on a bat, just before they pour. Feel like you yourself could help ‘em out by giving them a hand? Well, play the Team Pour card, and you, too, will get to go behind the bar and… well, lend them both a hand. Believe me, it doesn’t end there, so you’ll want to get there early to purchase the right to intervene. All proceeds raised by your intervention go directly to the Red Cross, of course, so you get to feel great about throwing a proverbial wrench in the plans of those baller baristas.

Donors Include:
Sunergos Coffee
Quills Coffee
Prima Coffee
Ryan Harrison Design
Reg Barber
Barista Magazine
Louisville Bats
Papalino’s
Mickie Winters
Kinko’s
Baratza
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
PT’s Coffee
Velton’s Coffee
Cafe Kubal
On Your Left Cycles
Jessica Fey Photography
Pedale Design

If you or anyone you know would like to contribute to the Louisville Rosettas for Relief fundraiser, please leave a comment or email japan@hermitudinous.com. Thank you!