With games, Christian music and a relaxed setting, the Above Ground Cafe caters to the young, the old and everyone in between.
By JEAN JOHNSON
Published April 17, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - There's a little-known place in town where families, friends and teens can "hang out" in a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
You can bring your 5-year-old and not worry about seeing unsocial or uncomfortable behavior at the Above Ground Cafe.
For years, Mary Dumala heard people wishing for a coffee house. She wanted one too. So a little more than a year ago Dumala stopped wishing and began acting.
She rented the Brooksville Women's Club and outfitted the space for Christian bands to perform, poets to share their writings, and amateurs to show their acting abilities with dramatic skits. Performers and guests alike are showing their appreciation for this unique getaway by returning week after week.
"My purpose was to have a local coffeehouse so people could enjoy fellowship and Christian music," said Dumala. And so every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. she opens the cafe to admit bands offering a variety of music: contemporary, classical and jazz, solo guitarists, fiddle violin and piano players.
"A little bit of everything," she said.
Dumala said there is no "average" age for the people who patronize the cafe. There are toddlers and teens, fathers and grandmothers. There is something for everyone to appreciate, she said.
Tim and Wanda Peters play with their band, Mended Hearts, at the coffeehouse fairly regularly.
"I think it's a great thing because it isn't just for adults or kids, but for a family," said Tim Peters, who lives in Spring Hill.
As testimony to Above Ground Cafe being a family affair, the Peters' 8-year-old son, David, plays congas and bongos; Jacob, 12, plays the shakers; and Wanda and Tim sing harmony.
"I'm glad to have my family doing it together. Having the boys involved is just awesome," said Tim Peters.
"I like the idea that Christians have a place where they can go out and have a good time. And it's not expensive," he said. "For a family of five you can have a great time for $10 and make new friends."
The Above Ground Cafe clearly benefits from its location. Constructed in 1931, the Brooksville Women's Club building is an American bungalow-type structure with one large room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a stage and a small closet area. It was envisioned as a community center and meeting place for clubs, said Ora Williams, the club treasurer and historian.
In addition to the Saturday night events, the space is rented to other social functions including fashion shows, beauty pageants and wedding receptions. The Above Ground Vineyard Church and Unitarian Universalist Church in the Pines conduct Sunday services at that location.
Although the cafe has room for 150, Dumala prefers to have a more relaxed and comfortable setting and offers table seating for 40 to 80 people. Since the dinner hour is over when the cafe opens, only snacks are served, including pretzels, nacho chips and cheese, popcorn, pastry, smoothies and specialty coffees.
Dumala also offers board games for young and old.
"It just is very rewarding in this age of computers to see families and friends interacting and talking over a board game," Dumala said.
But music is a bigger draw. Randi Olsen and Tim Rasmussen play with the band Eventyr, which means "adventure" in Norwegian. They both sing and play guitar and have performed at the Above Ground Cafe several times in the past year.
Olsen said the band loves playing at the cafe.
"We like to try out new songs and see how people react. It's a safe place for us. (The audience) is probably the kindest we've ever had," she said.
"Our goal," said Olsen, "is to reach people who are not accustomed to Christian music. We want to get to the non-Christian community as an outreach ministry; to reach people who wouldn't be inclined to hear a performance of hymns or gospel music."
Rasmussen agrees with Olsen.
"It's relaxed, not a lot of pressure and a good crowd," he said. "I like that it's not something that a church is doing. It's neat to see family and friends. (The Dumalas) saw a need where people could relax, talk, listen to music and have the opportunity to share their faith. Just people who saw the need and wanted to make a difference."
Dumala said she would also welcome comedians to the club.
"If there are some good ones around. A teen Christian group performs every Saturday and is very popular," she said.
Anyone interested in performing or enjoying a performance at the Above Ground Cafe can visit the Web site, www.abovegroundcafe.com
If you go
WHAT: Above Ground Cafe
WHERE: Brooksville Women's Club, 131 S Main St., Brooksville
