Still Life with Robin: A Cafe By Any Other Name?

by Peggy Robin

Folger Shakespeare Library

I love a good naming contest, as anyone who has been reading this column for a while would know [See Note 1]. I'm hoping that many readers of the CP Listserv share my love, and will be inspired to enter the great naming contest that's on right now: Dream up a funny, punny name for the new cafe. which will open on June 21 at the renovated Folger Shakespeare Library .

Here's what they're looking for:

We’re looking for clever wordplay worthy of the building that houses the world’s largest Shakespeare collection. Poetic turns of phrase that fit having coffee or a snack just steps from our stacks of rare books. An artistic take on having drinks and a bite to eat before going to the theater. We know our community is creative, so send us your ideas! Folger staff will share our favorites starting February 16 for Folger followers to vote on!

For more info, and the entry form, go  to:  https://www.folger.edu/blogs/folger-story/help-us-name-the-new-folger-cafe/

For some help in getting started, take a look at these food quotations:  https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/12-shakespeare-quotes-food-drink/

The deadline is Monday, February 12 at 11:59pm. That's one minute before "the chimes at midnight"! [see Note 2]

To view the finalists and vote for your favorite, go to www.folger.edu/cafename anytime between Friday, Feb 16 and Tuesday, February 20, 2024. 

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Note 1: Here are some, but by no means all, of the previous naming contests on the CP Listserv [All links are from Still Life with Robin columns, posted on the All Life Is Local blog simultaneously with posting on the Cleveland Park Listserv (All Life Is Local links are publicly accessible, while Cleveland Park Listserv links are accessible only to CP Listserv subscribers.]:

Name the Potomac River Dolphins : https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2019/05/still-life-with-robin-more-name-games.html

Name the Ward 3 Family Shelter: https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2019/04/still-life-with-robin-name-that-shelter.html 

Rename "Dave Thomas Circle": https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2023/04/still-life-with-robin-former-dave.html 

Name That Neighborhood (the one that will have feature the new Amazon HQ):  https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2018/11/still-life-with-robin-name-that.html

Rename Wilson HS (one of SEVEN columns on this subject!):  https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2020/07/still-life-with-robin-70-replacement.html

Rename the Washington Football Team: (3 columns):  
https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2013/02/still-life-with-robin-hail-to-reds.html

https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2013/02/still-life-with-robin-hail-to-red-part.html

https://alllifeislocal.blogspot.com/2013/02/still-life-with-robin-hail-to-reds.html   

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Note 2: Shakespeare quotation:

Falstaff: We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.

Shallow: That we have, that we have, that we have; in faith, Sir John, we have: our watch-word was 'Hem boys!' Come, let's to dinner (which could  be a good name for the cafe).

(Falstaff, Act 3 Scene 2)

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.