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Arts & Entertainment

Resurrection's CAFÉ ABLAZE Serves Praise And More...With Allison Harms' CENTRAL DRIVE and THE LIFE Worship Band

CAFÉ ABLAZE, the Christian coffeehouse hosted by Garden City’s Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, once again opens its doors on Saturday, September 24. Served up along with the usual tempting coffeehouse fare will be two talented praise bands stirring things up onstage for those seated below at beautifully decorated candlelit tables. Singles, couples, families with children, and groups of friends are welcome.

CENTRAL DRIVE, the well-traveled band featuring Long Island native and praise ballad singer/songwriter ALLISON HARMS, will perform. It consists of Allison singing and playing keyboard, James Alexeas on guitar, Jarett DeSanti on bass guitar, and Anthony Chrisostomo on drums. They have performed Allison’s numerous heartfelt songs all over the tri-state area, playing at churches, college campuses, clubs, retreats and socials. Whether in front of a few or a thousand, on the stage or in a studio, Allison remains committed to creating deep raw passionate music with her voice and piano or keyboard. Often, her songs reflect the heart of a child who seeks to pursue God, unreservedly, unabashedly and wholeheartedly. Her style as a ballad singer has been compared to that of Kathryn Scott, Brooke Fraser, and Norah Jones.  She is best known for “Like A River,” “How I Need You” and her CD title song, “Deeply.”

Opening the evening will be THE LIFE Worship Band. They consist of a group of talented musicians who faithfully dedicate their musical gifts in leading worship at THE LIFE Church, Old Westbury, on Thursday evenings. Under the direction of Pastor Justin Vetrano, their music sets the tone for worship in a unique and reverent blend of contemporary songs and traditional hymns. Originally led by George Baum of the well-known Christian band, LOST AND FOUND, the group is currently comprised of veterans Michael Mirabella on acoustic guitar, Jason Gudzik on drums, and Peter Scully on lead guitar. Lisa Dettling is on keyboard. Jackie Kildale and Cynthia Monthie play clarinets. The vocalists are Amanda Santangelo, Jackie Kildale, Sydney Vetrano, and Pastor Vetrano, who also plays guitar. Mike Santangelo runs the band’s sound. “As a band,” Pastor Vetrano explains, “our goal is not so much about performing; rather we hope to draw people into the music to sing with us.”

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All of this talent is in addition to what black tee-shirted CAFÉ ABLAZE volunteers, and others, will be brewing in the kitchen and artfully setting out on tables for guests. The generous selections of self-service offerings include specialty coffees and teas, and delectable sweet desserts. Baskets of salty munchies are on each table. For the health conscious, there’s even a fruit salad and bottled water. Intermission brings more treats; ice cream or sherbet scooped out while door prize drawings for Christian gifts take place.

With all that will be percolating at the coffeehouse on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., why not plan on savoring a great night out at CAFÉ ABLAZE? Reservations are suggested and can be made through Lori via email or phone. Tickets are sold at the door. A separate “freewill” offering is collected for the talent.

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Enter the church coffeehouse by the lighted CAFÉ ABLAZE sign on the Emmet Place side of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at 420 Stewart Avenue. Parking is available on side streets bordering the church or in the semi-circular parking area by the Fire House at the end of Emmet Place.

Resurrection Lutheran Church is a multi-site Christian community of faith, with our main campus located at 420 Stewart Ave., near Clinton Rd., in Garden City. All are invited to worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday mornings, with Christian Education at 9:45 a.m. Our second campus, THE LIFE Church, is located at 1 Old Westbury Rd., on Jericho Tpke., in Old Westbury. All are welcome Thursdays at THE LIFE, beginning with a Free Family Style Dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Worship and Holy Communion at 7 p.m. For more information, call 516.746.4426, visit resgc.org or thelifeny.org.

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