Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
1500 W Maryland
Phoenix, AZ
Two new non-profit organizations have been established and are currently open for business. The Music Corner is an acoustic music listening room open Saturday evenings only, and a Fair Trade Store (open limited hours) is an outlet for handmade products made by communities in second and third world countries to aid in hunger relief. The Hunger Hurts organization sponsors satellite stores and holiday houses at various churches throughout the country. This store at Shepherd of the Valley will be a pilot project to determine if there is enough volume year round to add to the hunger relief.
Please check the website often to see schedules for performers, store hours and opportunities for volunteering.
Please feel free to e-mail questions or comments.
ABOUT THE MUSIC CORNER
The Music Corner is a new kid on the block in the community of acoustic music. Our Grand Opening Celebration was September 2, 2006. The location is: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1500 West Maryland Avenue (between Bethany Home Road and Glendale Avenue), Phoenix, AZ 85015, in the Youth Room. Look for signs on 15th Avenue and Maryland Avenue by the Church entrance signs. Then, follow the music notes to The Music Corner.
The new Coffeehouse and listening room is a result of two people having the same idea almost simultaneously. These two saw the need for a gathering place where folks can enjoy an evening out in a safe, friendly, nurturing, and smoke and alcohol free environment. One saw the need for the members of the community at large; the other saw a broader target which included the music community. After meetings and input from those in charge, The Music Corner was transformed from ideas into reality.
The atmosphere is family friendly and musically entertaining to those who are long time folkies as well as those who are just getting their feet wet in the music world. We host two scheduled sets each Saturday evening with two breaks and a half hour of open stage in between. This is a trial scenario and will be reviewed regularly to see if a different pattern might work better. We welcome comments and suggestions by patrons and performers. The first set starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:15. Break from 8:15 til 8:30. Open stage is 8:30 til 9:00 with another break til 9:15. Second set is from 9:15 til 10:00.
The venue easily holds 50 seats as well as counter space and standing room and additional chairs can be added easily. The campus and parking lot are well lit and the room is easy to find. There will be signs at on 15th Avenue and on Maryland and you can follow the musical notes on any sidewalk to The Music Corner. The main entrance will be closed when the music starts and the side door will remain open at all times.
There is no set charge for admittance, coffee, soda, water or snacks. Admission to the general public and refreshments are all on a strictly volunteer contribution basis.There is a donation jar for the house, and donation jars for the performeres. You pay as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We are currently serving cookies and browines from the Sprouts store at 19th avenue and Northern-and health never tasted so good!
There is a display table of selected items from the Fair Trade store. Items may be purchased by cash, check or credit card. We will have a volunteer available to assist anyone who would like more information on any item specifically or the Fair Trade program in general.
BOOKING:
Booking can be done by e-mailing Carron Cruse at our e-mail button to the left, or calling (602)881-5951. You can book as far into the future as necessary to fit your schedule. A tip jar will be provided for each scheduled performer and assistance in selling CD's is available at the service counter. We can't offer a stipend to performers because the net profits of the Coffeehouse will be used to support a worthwhile project such as the Hunger Hurts organization.
VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are needed to cover the service counter, admission table and the display table for the Fair Trade products. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can sign up any Saturday evening or e-mailing or calling Carron as above. We are striving to make the volunteer experience as fun and entertaining as possible.
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Those who sign up for open stage are first come, first on the list
2. We may from time to time offer a special show in The Music Corner or in the larger adjacent room which will preclude the regular Saturday Coffeehouse. We will publicize this as early as possible as it may be a different ticket price. We could also present a special show on another weekend evening and it would not preclude the Coffeehouse.
3. Children are welcome, as there is plenting of play room.
4. Net profits after startup costs in months to come will be used to benefit a charitable organization to help make lives better for those less fortunate.
It is my hope that you will visit often and enjoy the wide variety of music that will be presented throughout the coming months. If you have not already signed up as a performer, I invite you to contact me for a booking.
Thanks again,
Carron Cruse