Music in VIV Wine Bistro
Music in VIV Wine Bistro
Martin Sedlak and Julie DeCock
It started when two gypsy jazz musicians, Martin Sedlak and Alexander Michael started hanging out at the quaint VIV Wine Bistro on Petronia Street around Christmas 2022. Julie De Cock, owner-operator of La Crêperie and Viv Wine Bistro, had Martin play Christmas songs one evening at her cozy bistro.
Channing Lynn on the sidewalk in front of Le Creperie celebrating Bastille Day
Julie’s former husband introduced her to Key West and, like many others, she fell in love and never left. Almost immediately, Julie bought La Crêperie, a fine French restaurant across from Blue Heaven. That was about ten years ago and she later opened the VIV Wine Bistro in the empty space next door. Julie had owned a wine bistro in France and decided to try it in Key West. They opened a window between La Crêperie and Viv to use the kitchen and developed a special Viv menu.
To Martin and others, VIV quickly felt like home and Julie and company became a big family. For Martin and some of the other musicians, VIV is a little bit of Europe in Key West. After closing, the musicians often hang out with Julie and others into late hours enjoying company and conversations. Julie feels about 80% of her audience are repeat customers. She has a cooler full of special cheese imported from France, Italy, and Spain along with a great selection of French and Italian wines plus a full kitchen menu next door at La Crêperie. At one end of the bar is Jamon Iberico de Bellota, a long pork leg, aged for three years and is absolutely delicious. Another specialty is her homemade bread.
Dimitri Bolotny, Tom LaFond, and Martin Sedlak
Shortly after the 2022 Christmas gig, Alexander Michael (guitar), Martin Sedlak (violin) and Dimitri Bolotny (piano) started playing music on Wednesday evenings. Dimitri located his upright acoustic piano at VIV long term. It was immediately successful and quickly expanded to Thursday, then Friday, and Saturday. The music is mostly jazz but includes covering some popular music and new original songs. VIV’s the only venue one can listen to gypsy jazz regularly in a true French wine bistro
Gabriel Wright and Channing Lynn celebrate Bastille Day 2024
Martin Sedlak and Channing Lynn at the wine bistro.
Key West musicians love to play in this cozy venue. Larry Smith, Christine Cordone, Channing Lynn, Barry Cuds, Tony Elitcher, Turner and Rochi Harrison, Joe Dallas, Larry Baeder, Bubba Lownotes, Claire Caplan, Camille Toler, and several jazz specialists, including bassist Geoff Lowe (Chicago). All have enjoyed the stage at Viv. The popularity of VIV was quick, and the schedule has been full of the best of Key West musicians in this unique off Duval music venue. Channing Lynn performed a special Bastille Day gig in 2023 and again in 2024 with Gabriel Wright. Visiting entertainers that hear about ViV are always invited to perform. Everyone wants to play VIV Wine Bistro.
Dimitri Bolotny, Tom LaFond, and Martin Sedlak provide the gypsy jazz at Viv Wine Bistro
I don’t usually highlight an individual venue in my music column, but Viv Wine Bistro is a very unique venue. This somewhat small venue barely seats 25 including the bar but usually has another 25 located outside at tables and on the sidewalk. The bistro is located in a very unique music area at 300 Petronia Street, across from Blue Heaven and next door to Andy’s Cabana and a block away from the American Legion Post 168. One visiting musician said the area reminds him of Frenchman Street, just off Bourbon Street, in New Orleans. Petronia Street has a much different vibe than the music scene on Duval Street.
Julie has an interesting philosophy. She likes to be different and tries to get her patrons to enjoy different wines, different foods, and different music. It’s working.
During season, music is performed Tuesday-Sunday and in the off-season, they have music Tuesday-Saturday. Julie and Martin are still trying new things. How does an evening of French karaoke sound?
Martin Sedlak adds his violin magic at Viv Wine Bistro
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