Oasis, from Google’s word definitions search page, it means:

• a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
• haven: a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
• In geography, an oasis (plural: oases) is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or similar water source. Oases also provide habitat for animals and even humans if the area is big enough.

Oasis is also an amazing coffee house with live music right in the heart or Waltham MA!

Housed in First Presbyterian Church of Waltham, Oasis is, in their own words:

is a welcoming community where you can enjoy an evening of affordable entertainment by local, national and international performers including singer-songwriters, folk musicians, blues, jazz and other genres.

Located in the art gallery of the First Presbyterian Church of Waltham, the space is intimate, safe, inclusive and alcohol-free. This not-for-profit coffee house, run by volunteers, offers a lounge area where baked goods and fair-trade coffee and tea are available along with free wi-fi. Proceeds go to support the coffee house and its performers.

And welcoming and warm they are! When a friend and I visited Oasis for the firs time in August, we were greeted at the door by some of the nicest people we had ever met. We were welcomed in, paid our admission ($12) and took a seat. The acoustics were terrific and the group we saw that night, Gretel, was amazing. During the band break, there was plenty of people to meet and chat with.

Gretel, a local Boston area folk group, is well worth tracking down to see. They have passion, strong musical skills and excellent words. Their songs are more stories than the simple drivel served up as music today. And powerful stories they are. Songs like “Heart Shaped Heart”, moved me to tears with words of how both love and pain leave hollow spaces in our hearts…sometimes so hollow they drive us to reassess our relationship. “Wolves” was a haunting tune that forebode some terror drawing ever closer as the song moves forward. Gretel’s lead singer, Reva Willimans’ voice and strong emotional content with each song remind me of Amy Mann but far more engaged. Reva is living through her music, not singing about a topic.

Oasis Coffee House features New England and National acts, is inexpensive, is warm and friendly. What’s not to like? For some local buzz, you can’t beat their offering.