Underground Music Culture Thrives in Subterranean Coffeehouse at East Dallas Christian Church
Alexander's Hideaway provides a variety of entertainment in a smoke- and alcohol-free, family friendly environment in the basement space at the 101-year-old East Dallas Christian Church. Performances at the coffeehouse are once a month and profits are donated to charity.
DALLAS, TX (PRWEB) April 25, 2004 --More often associated with the smoky Beatnik culture of the 1950s or a counter-culture venue on todays college campus, the underground coffeehouse has long attracted a dedicated following of music, poetry or art lovers. None of which seems to fall neatly into place at a century-old Christian Church -- a Disciples of Christ congregation that has counted some of Dallass most prominent families as members over the years.
Alexanders Hideaway is actually one of a small network of coffeehouses around the Metroplex housed in churches and some private homes with the simple mission of providing a variety of entertainment in a smoke- and alcohol-free, family friendly environment. East Dallas Christian Church has been such a venue for more than two years and regularly draws a diverse audience in its basement space for lovers of everything from folk and blues to rock music.
Theres an open call to musicians on the Alexanders Hideaway Web site, www.alexandershideaway.org, to audition for a chance to land a gig at the coffeehouses monthly performances (usually the second Saturday at 7:30 p.m.) just 1 mile from the better known clubs in the Deep Ellum entertainment district.
While operated like many small commercial venues, there are differences. To start, the promoter for the churchs concert series is the Rev. Jack Mullins, EDCCs senior associate minister, who takes to his job as enthusiastically as the next impresario. Perhaps thats why the coffeehouse can book talent one might not expect, such as Sara Hickman, the multi-talented Austin artist who has performed there twice.
And unlike commercial venues, Alexanders Hideaway donates any profit it makes from a modest cover charge to charity. Coffeehouse proceeds help fund the EDCCs English Language Ministry, a joint effort that includes First Community Church, and Northridge Presbyterian and St. Andrews Presbyterian churches.
The ministry helps immigrant mothers and fathers develop their mastery of English while supporting the families efforts to continue the education of their children and themselves," Rev. Mullins explained.
Money is also donated to the Bedford-based Celebration Shop, which provides "healing musical programs for hospitalized children suffering from chronic and terminal diseases."
Jim Newton and Paul Hill have been in collaboration with Noel Paul Stookey (the Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary fame) in the Celebration Shop program. Their programs bring respite to thousands of children each year in hospitals, in extended-care facilities or wherever they are receiving care," Rev. Mullins added.
Tickets vary slightly each month but generally are about $10 in advance, $12 at the door, which opens at 7 p.m., and tables of six or eight may be reserved by calling 214-824-8185 ext. 24 or emailing jack@edcc.org. The church cannot accept credit card orders. Audition tapes and CDs should be sent to Rev. Mullins at P.O. Box 710329, Dallas, TX 75371.
The church, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003, offers limited babysitting for children under 8 with advance notice and for the price of an adult admission.
Alexander's Hideaway is on the basement level of East Dallas Christian Church, 629 N. Peak St. at Junius, two blocks east of Baylor Hospital in Old East Dallas. Parking is free and plentiful with four fully lighted lots for quick and easy parking.
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