‘Got
boredom’? Two new locales provide a fun alternative
Local
talent will light up the night for people seeking fellowship, fun and food at
two popular Christian hangouts at opposite ends of the county.
“We
have plenty of ‘lovely’ type songs,” promised manager Jason
Moody, whose authentic rockabilly band, The Regal Line, will perform from 8 to
10 p.m. Feb. 14 at His Place Christian Internet Coffee House, 119 E. Grand
Ave., Escondido.
One
week earlier in San Diego, the Strictly Gospel Light Club will host Homegrown
Gospel II, an “open mic” and Gospel dance party for ages 18 and
older from 7 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 7. The club’s “nightclub atmosphere
with a light club attitude” happens most first and third Saturday nights
at 6502 El Cajon Blvd., and according to organizer Danny Larry, “there
ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party at Strictly Gospel.” The
club rents space at the Gourmet Rotisserie near 65th Street, five blocks east
of College Avenue, just before the La Mesa border. The club hosts a bar, just
like a nightclub, only with non-alcoholic mixed beverages.
Although
Larry wanted to host the Gospel party on Valentine’s Day evening, he and
his wife, Vicki, believe God asked them to change their plans to attend a
church marriage retreat that weekend. The couple was married in November 2002
and started the Gospel club last June. A staff of seven volunteers helps run
Strictly Gospel Light, and is seeking sponsors and local talent.
“God
gave me the idea,” Larry said, “because there is so much talent in
San Diego and there are so many people who want to express their love for God
and there are not many other platforms outside of church.”
“If
only people knew how much we need each other,” Larry said, citing the
biblical analogy of the Church as a living human body made up of many
interdependent parts. “When we’re missing parts we can’t do
our job,” he added. “We all bring something to the table to make
life worth living. If you have anything you want to express to the Lord and
bless the people with, bring it on!”
“I
do have a vision,” Larry said. “My vision is to create an
environment where God’s people can express their gifts and talents
outside of the church and bless God’s people. Also, to go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel.”
But
Larry said the big thing is his desire to spread the Word of God to the
streets. He has found that the beat, the atmosphere and the fun draw people in.
“My vision is to go outside of that box that is the church and into the
devil’s territory and use his own game against him to win souls.”
Although
Strictly Gospel used to charge a cover for its parties, Larry said that after
the Homegrown Gospel New Year’s event on Jan. 3, the Lord told him:
“Don’t charge the people for the Word of God. People will donate to
the ministry and people will sponsor it.”
“It’s
kind of scary,” Larry admitted. “But I trust God’s telling me
to do the right thing. I trust I’m hearing His voice correctly, and I
trust people will believe in what we do.”
On
Feb. 7, Larry said his guests can expect to hear the best of a variety in
Gospel music, both professional and amateur. The evening will feature a
combination of singers, poetry readings, bands and praise dancers. “I
usually get up and do a little something,” said Larry, who has sung
Gospel since he got his start at age 8 in his home church in Jackson, Miss.
“But,” he added, “It’s mostly for my guests.”
Larry
sings solo, and with his friend, Mike Jefferson. The Urban Gospel duo, with
influences by Kirt Carr and Kirk Franklin, plus Maranatha Music praise and
worship, is searching for a band to back them up.
A week after Homegrown Gospel II, across the county at His
Place in Escondido, Moody said people can relax and just have a nice time.
“You know, have fun,” he said, “And in the meantime maybe be
ministered to at the same time.”
Guests
can expect to hear love songs, such as “With the Likes of Me,”
which Moody wrote for his wife, Nicole, when they started dating as students at
Calvin Christian High School in Escondido. In “Here We Go,” written
for a friend’s wedding, Moody describes the difference in a Christian
marriage with lines such as: “Hold your hand until the day you stand
before the throne.”
Moody’s daughter is the theme and inspiration of other songs. And
his “Keep on Walkin’ “ usually gets audiences singing along
to its happy sound with a mysterious sub-plot.
Fans
remember Moody as lead singer of the hardcore band, NIV (No Innocent Victim)
from 1992 to 2002. But Moody found it harder to relate to NIV’s teen
audience after his first child, Dominic, died Jan. 6, 2000. A musical and
generational shift came naturally to Moody, who had always loved Johnny Cash
and Buddy Holly. The broader and generally older audience he was drawing since
starting The Regal Line in 2001 fit where Moody found himself. “When I
speak, they’ll understand, even about having kids,” said Moody, the
proud father of Audrey, 3, Rosalie, 1 1/2, and Michael, 4 months.
In
“The Ties That Bind,” Moody speaks of how the strength of his
relationship with the Lord was tested after Dominic died. “I’d
given up,” Moody said. “People prayed for me and I just wanted to
die. He gave me his strength and peace when I didn’t want it.”
Since
losing Dominic, who would now be 5, heaven has become more real to Moody, who
anticipates playing music with Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly in
the next life. “I have to (think about heaven.) It was the only thing
keeping me going. Heaven is my eternal home and if I didn’t have that
hope I wouldn’t have had any.”
Moody
also hopes for something above and beyond in this life. He dreams of a ministry
singing in churches. “Because I do have a testimony,” Moody said.
“And I love to play music. That’s what I want to do all hours of
the day. I’ve want to be playing music since I was like 13.”
With
NIV, he traveled as far as Europe and performed at the Cornerstone Festival in
Illinois for eight years. This summer he plans to take The Regal Line back to
Cornerstone for its second year. The group has recorded about 19 songs and
plans to release another CD soon. For future projects, they are seeking a
record label to call home.
But
family takes center stage with Moody and His Place. A huge mural inside the
café depicts family and friends, some departed, including baby Dominic
in Jesus’ arms. Moody’s parents-in-law, Michael and Cheryl
Ciuffreda, former owners of the Julian Café, own His Place, along with
Michael’s brother, Kelly “Joe,” and his wife, Cheryl. If this
seems strange, hold on. Michael and Joe’s third brother also married a
Cheryl.
The
Ciuffredas opened His Place the summer of 2002, and Jason took over as manager
a year later. The family also owns Bella Angelina, the adjoining gift shop.
In
addition to Feb. 14, His Place has lined up talent for each Friday and Saturday
night of the month. The schedule is published in The Calendar of this edition
of Good News Etc.
After
Homegrown Gospel II on Feb. 7, Strictly Gospel Light Club’s next event is
March 6, to be followed by the club’s usual twice-monthly cycle
continuing through May. Larry hopes to add a youth night on Fridays beginning
in late spring.
For
information on Strictly Gospel Light, call (619) 819-7760, or visit
www.strictly-gospel.com. Contact His Place at (760) 466-2184.
Judy
Erickson of Escondido is a freelance writer.