By Amanda Slater
A new local hotspot is scheduled to open in Westland, Michigan. The new venue, called, ?The Redline Café,? promises to foster a positive environment while providing quality entertainment.
Masterminded by 22 year-old Jon Carlisle, 19 year old Jason Overbee, and local pastor Joe Kinbrough, the venue is open to people of all ages. The café will be a place where local and national rock, rap, techno, stand up comedy, and poetry acts will be showcased on a regular basis. Eventually, the café also hopes to host outdoor activities and car shows in addition to live entertainment. Some of the Redline Café?s unique features include serving specially non-alcoholic drinks, milkshakes, and pizzas, and purposes to be a drug and alcohol free, positive environment.
?Our outreach is giving youth and adults a place to go on the weekends,? said café director Pastor Joe Kimbbrough. ?We want to break down the stereotype of what people think rap, techno, rock, poetry, and stand up comedy is. We want to give a positive spin on these genres, free from drugs and alcohol. We want to show people that you can come and have a good time without all that.?
The Redline Café is unique for a number of reasons. Perhaps one of the most unusual aspects of the venue is that it was pioneered by young people who hope to serve as positive role models for youths attending the café. The café?s general manager, Jason Overbee, was able to witness the needs of community first hand while working as an EMT.
?Working in the EMT field, I saw people shooting drugs in themselves, and kids trying to find a way to make themselves happy,? said Overbee. ?Even now, I see a lot of unhappy teens just walking down the street. I?d like to see teens getting away from drugs and seeing entertainment in a new light, and I hope this club accomplishes that.?
The café also aspires to be a place of community, where individuals can seek help for any need. Redline Café has also integrated an open forum discussion time, during which young people are encouraged to share what is on their minds.
?We deal with real issues,? Kimbrough stated. ?We talk about the choices people make and how they impact their own, personal lives.?
The café, although connected to the Church of Rock, reaches out to all individuals, and a large number of communities, including Westland, Canton, Wayne, Novi, Northville, Livonia, and other near by cities. The venue anticipates hosting three to four bands on a typical night, all of which will be exclusively Christian based. In addition to the positive entertainment, an admission fee that settles between $3 and $5 will be charged, and the proceeds will go toward the Church of Rock and the purchasing of new equipment for the venue, with the remainder being split between the staff in appreciation for their time and dedication.
Redline Café, while having some tentative plans, does have some long term goals and aspirations. Many staff members are hoping to see the community get involved with the venue, and hope that the café can be a place that brings people together and allows for them to feel safe and accepted.
The Café?s doors open at 7 PM, and shows have been scheduled for approximately one Saturday night a month, but are anticipated to increase to every other Saturday at a later date. The café uses ?Kirk of our Savior? Presbyterian church?s building, and is located on Cherry hill road between Wayne and Newburg, next to John Glen High School.
For more information on the café and its events, visit the Redline Café?s official websites: www.myspace.com/redlinecafe and www.theredlinecafe.com
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