On Dec. 21, Rêve Coffee Roasters will host the Latte Art Throwdown, a coffee competition that is the first of its kind in Lafayette, and open its doors to Clandestine Collective for a dance party takeover.
Not bad for a Thursday.
District Manager Carter Liles said this will the the fifth competition the downtown location of Rêve — the shop he lovingly dubbed “the mothership” — has hosted since December of 2015.
Baristas will be paired off to go before three local juggernauts: Executive Chef of Social Southern Table Marc Krampe, Photographer and Co-founder of Clandestine Collective Paul Kieu, and Lead Barista of French Truck Baton Rouge Emily McCollister. Participants will pour steamed milk into espresso in a manner that produces something beautiful, Carter said. Aesthetic appeal and difficulty of the designs are factored in, and a winner is chosen.
Clouds in my coffee.
Liles said about 100 people have watched throwdowns of years’ passed at the shop at the end of Jefferson Street. Kieu, a regular at both the Jefferson Street and River Ranch Rêve locations, granted Liles credit for merging the cafe’s airy location with Clandestine’s knack for pop-up parties.
Kieu called the joint venture between Rêve and Clandestine “a natural pairing” with the group that hosted a film screening in an alley and a dance party/film screening at the Lafayette Science Museum.
“One of our signature moves is throwing parties and events in places that are a little out of context,” said Kieu.
Guest MC for the night will be radio host and programmer DJ Digital (Brandon Journet) “who will be spinning records all night and keeping the mood upbeat between matchups as we move through the barista bracket”
“The Latte Art Throwdown is a one-of-a-kind event on a weeknight, and it'll draw a hip crowd that we hope will enjoy what we have in store for them.” said Kieu.
As one would hope with an event that encourages dancing, beer and cocktails will be served.
Admission to the event is free for attendees and $5 for potential competitors. Sign ups begin at 6:30, and pouring begins at 7 p.m., and the subsequent party ends at midnight.
Pop-up favorite Olympic Grove will be on site. Door prizes up for grabs include goods from local sponsors Lagniappe Records, Parish Brewing Company, Rukus Board Shop: Lafayette, Dat Dog, Parish Ink, Salon NV, and C. Wolf Barber & Shop. Parlor will provide exclusive coffee-themed flash tats.
For more information on this and other events from Rêve, including its Reve Coffee Lab saturday morning breakfasts, them on their Facebook page, and @ReveCoffeeRoasters on Instagram. Follow Clandestine Collective’s page and on instagram @ClandestineCollective for information on upcoming surprising juxtapositions that may or may not involve Kanye West.
