Concert will sing praises of crusade
By Sandy Strickland
Staff writer

It's billed as a post-crusade party at The Hill.

The Murray Hill Theatre and Cafe is staging a praise and worship concert Saturday night after the Billy Graham Crusade's youth service.

"On the weekends, we do Christian music events . . . and we didn't even want to attempt to compete with the crusade," said manager Vic Cuccia.

The crusade, being held at Alltel Stadium with music by dc Talk, Jars of Clay and Kirk Franklin, ends at 9 p.m. The Steve Hereford Praise Band will perform at the Murray Hill, 932 Edgewood Ave. S., from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $3.

Concert-goers also will get a chance to see the theater's newly remodeled cafe.

"We added a small acoustic stage and a new sound system, a ceramic tile floor and new track lighting," Cuccia said. "It was like a snack bar before, and now it's more like a coffee house."

The walls have been painted beige, red and gray and will serve as a backdrop for the work of local artists. The menu also has been expanded to include flavored and specialty coffees and desserts such as muffins and cheesecake.

The cafe, formerly open only on weekends, now features live acoustic music from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is free.

"We're building up a repertoire of acoustic artists and clientele," Cuccia said. "We also do some open mike."

The Murray Hill Theatre, a former theater and heavy metal nightclub, was converted into a faith-based musical venue in 1995.