There’s a small cafe in the coastal town Aberystwyth in Cardigan Bay, Wales, and whenever I go there with my nan (who worked there as a girl, about 50 years ago) we always stop by. It’s name -- “The Penguin Cafe”. now, I’ve never heard of another penguin cafe before. It’s not serious, by any means, just mere curiosity
thanks for your comments 🙂
See http://www.penguincafe.com/origins.htm and discover that the band’s origins have absolutely nothing to do with Aberystwyth.
I used to go there with my great aunt, RIP.
I bet it was your nan who served us the milkshakes and ham rolls ! 😉
Check out the orchestra’s memorium Myspace page. You might get a little more of their history there. You will definitely hear some of their music there.
Actually, the description on the band website doesn’t rule out the possibility that the phrase “Penguin Cafe” popped into Simon Jeffes’ head that day because he had at some forgotten time and place (perhaps Aberystwyth) seen a cafe with that name.
How long has the Penguin Cafe been there? Is it not possible that its proprietor is a fan of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and named their cafe after them? They have quite a following, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising. Ask next time you are there. (I’ll have to seek it out next time I’m in Aber - I’m not too far away).
Incidentally, there’s a ‘Cafe Pinguim’ in Oporto, Portugal, which I believe to be named after the band - their influence extends well beyond the shores of Blighty.
thanks everyone, and for ‘NameChangesRConfusing’, my nan’s uncle Jack bought the place and ran for not very long, but that was surely 60 years ago.
Sorry Jack - I didn’t read your initial post proberly. Was your nan’s uncle Jack a clairvoyant?
fat chance! although, there’s a lot of romany gypsy blood on their side of the family. there could be something there!