Christian coffee house serves up soul, swing
by Heather Whittemor, Outpost staff
On a night where little goblins walk the streets in search of sugary snacks and big goblins are in search of trouble, one local church youth group is offering a haven.
The Fire Escape, a non-profit coffee house at 1700 Zolezzi Lane, is open Saturday nights in the basement of Reno Christian Fellowship. On Halloween night, the coffee house will sponsor a costume ball with a concert by The W's, touted by Christian music fans as one of today's hottest swing-ska bands.
The concert marks an expansion for the Christian venue, which has been serving up coffee and Christian music for youth for nearly two years.
At a previous concert, fans packed the Fire Escape. Photo by Heather Whittemore |
"It came about by accident," he said. "They called us and they wanted a place to play, so we're accommodating them. And they're coming at affordable prices, so we are able to do it."
Gervais said this concert kicks off a new phase for the Fire Escape that officials plan to continue.
"We would like to, at least once a month, possibly more, bring in a nationally recognized band," he said.
Superfishal, a band out of Las Vegas, will open for The W's, Gervais said.
The Fire Escape is run by RCF youth intern Darrin Munson and volunteer staff. The teen-agers who attend the church pitch in, too.
Munson and other youth staff take a break. Photo by Heather Whittemore |
"It was their vision and they do the work," Gervais said. "Darrin gets the people. I'm now helping to bring in the bands and order stuff but only because they tell me what to do. It's kind of a conglomerate of people all working together on this."
Muson said the Fire Escape was started as an outreach ministry to bring youth from all over the community into a safe environment.
"It's fun and it glorifies God," he said. "And we've got the cheapest prices in town."
Coffee and other drinks are sold slightly above cost, while most concerts are free. RCF only charges for the bigger name acts (for example $5 for the W's), but all the proceeds go to the bands.
The Fire Escape celebrated a grand opening for the season Oct. 17, Munson said. Local ska band Martyr 2:10 played to an audience of more than 200. The opening was even featured as the top story for local ABC affiliate, KOLO.
Students take a break from the heat and the crowds. Photo by Heather Whittemore |
RCF recently finished construction on an additional wing, which included a larger youth building, allowing the Fire Escape to accommodate more people. Gervais said the old building wasn't large enough for concert events. The last time a large concert was held, students sat outside to get away from the crowds.
But it hasn't always been this successful. Munson said the Fire Escape had a little trouble at the beginning getting local bands to show up for their scheduled times.
"For a while, we seemed to be serving an older crowd," he said. "There were some nights when we only played CDs."
Until now, Munson said, the bands have played for free coffee and donations given into a box by the door. The W's concert is the first time the Fire Escape is charging a cover at the door.
Martyr 2:10 was cramped on the old stage. Photo by Heather Whittemore |
He said they will continue to take offerings for the smaller bands, charging only for those concerts where there is a big travel or booking expense.
"We'd like to be able to pay every band who comes, but we also want to keep our doors open, even to the kids who don't have any money to spend," Munson said.
Past big-name performers at the Fire Escape include Miranda, Soul Food 76, Spooky Tuesday and Silage. Local bands include Martyr 2:10, Doug Robertson, Randy Peterman, Dan Palmer, Groovaliscious, No Outlet and Fezoj and Okmas. They've even had a drama troupe, Sons of the Highest.
Plans are in the works to bring in Five Iron Frenzy, Everybody Duck and Nifty Tom Fifty.
Anyone interested in performing at the Fire Escape should contact Leo at 853-4234.
Editor's note: Heather Whittemore is a member of the volunteer youth staff at RCF.
Posted Oct. 30, 1998 Copyright 1998 Nevada Oupost