Christian Rock

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. -Switchfoot will bring their "good ol' sweaty rock show" to Shippensburg University's H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 12. The five-man band from San Diego formed under the name Chin Up in 1996 but found success as Switchfoot. The band's latest album, "Oh! Gravity," topped Billboard's Top Christian Album chart this year. Switchfoot's prior two albums, "Nothing is Sound" and "The Beautiful Letdown," also topped Billboard's Christian album chart.

katec@herald-mail.com Nick Hodges, 28, sings and leads worship at his church in Mercersburg, Pa. He's been involved in his faith all his life and he wants to share his passion. About a year ago he read a passage in the Bible about people's eyes being open to God. Although he doesn't remember the specific chapter and verse, the message had meaning for Hodges and inspired him to act. He invested thousands of dollars in "The Awakening, a Christian rock concert" held last September in Hagerstown.

HAGERSTOWN--Jay Gantz and his girlfriend, Leslie Metz, said they were looking for something positive to do Saturday night. They settled on going to Praise at the Park, a concert at City Park. "We saw a flier and wanted to check it out," said Metz, 35, of Hagerstown. "I like that it's positive. We need more positive things in the area. " "It's something different," added Gantz, 47, also of Hagerstown. "It's a good thing. " Now in its seventh year, Praise at the Park has had a variety of names and has included other bands in the past.

HAGERSTOWN - Jay Gantz and his girlfriend, Leslie Metz, said they were looking for something positive to do Saturday night. They settled on going to Praise at the Park, a concert at City Park. "We saw a flier and wanted to check it out," said Metz, 35, of Hagerstown. "I like that it's positive. We need more positive things in the area. " "It's something different," added Gantz, 47, also of Hagerstown. "It's a good thing. " Now in its seventh year, Praise at the Park has had a variety of names and has included other bands in the past.

The Williamsport High School Choral Department will present the musical “No, No, Nanette” in the WHS auditorium Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Gold cards will be honored. For tickets in advance, call 301-766-8433. Concessions will be available for purchase and benefit the WHS Choral Boosters. Special Needs Night planned at Monkey Joe's Providing Relief for Autistic Youth, or PRAY, in partnership with Monkey Joe's, at 1113 Maryland Ave. in Hagerstown, will hold a Special Needs Night Sunday from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $6 per child, payable at the door.

John McCutcheon CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - American folk singer John McCutcheon will perform. 7:30 p.m. today. Wilson College's Laird Hall, 1015 Philadelphia Ave. Tickets cost $7 to $14; free for children in grades kindergarten through 12 and full-time Wilson CFW and CCE students. For information or tickets, call 717-262-2003 or e-mail specialevents@wilson.edu. Order tickets online at www.wilson.edu. Cruise in Eastern Panhandle Camaro Association will have a cruise in and meeting.

Cruzin' Car Show No judging. Proceeds benefit Teen Challenge. Live music by Teen Challenge Choir. Open to all cars and trucks made before 1990, motorcycles of any year. YMCA, Waynesboro, Pa., 810 E. Main St. Today, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration from 5:30 to 7 p.m. $7 per vehicle to register. Call 1-717-762-7042. Awakening 2002 Christian rock concert, featuring performers, speakers. Whitetail Ski Resort, near Mercersburg, Pa. Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. For ticket prices, information, call 301-797-7650 or go on the Web to www.fanevents.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer, Waynesboro WAYNESBORO, Pa. - About 35 teenagers, heads bowed in fervent prayer, celebrated the opening of the Solid Rock Cafe, a Christian coffeehouse where they can hang out, hear Christian rock music and play pool. "We're not downplaying what we're about," said the Rev. Douglas Dowdey, who organized the club on Walnut Street and is a youth pastor at Glen Furney Assembly of God Church in Waynesboro. "We open with a prayer. Our primary objective is to reach non-Christian, unsaved teens.

HAGERSTOWN -- The night was cold and drizzly and the rural landscape around Tri-State Fellowship was dark, but at the back of the Cearfoss Pike church building Friday night, soft light and rock music poured from the windows of an upstairs room. That room was what church members call "the Attic," and inside, in a space filled with mismatched couches, game tables and a large plywood cross, a new coffeehouse-style ministry was celebrating its opening night. The event, called "Third Fridays at the Attic," was organized by members of Oasis, a young adult Bible study group at Tri-State Fellowship, co-organizer Luke Greffen said.

NEW LISTINGS: Jars of Clay with guests Burlap to Cashmere and David Wilcox , Christian rock Friday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Hersheypark Arena 100 W. Hersheypark Drive Hershey, Pa. Tickets cost $16.50 and $25 in advance; $19 and $27.50 day of show; $14.50 for groups of 15 or more in advance only. For information, call 1-717-534-3911, 1-570-693-4100 or 1-800-336-3206. "The Thin Man," 1934 movie Friday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 W. Patrick St. Frederick, Md. Tickets cost $5 for seniors and students, $6 for adults.

The Williamsport High School Choral Department will present the musical “No, No, Nanette” in the WHS auditorium Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Gold cards will be honored. For tickets in advance, call 301-766-8433. Concessions will be available for purchase and benefit the WHS Choral Boosters. Special Needs Night planned at Monkey Joe's Providing Relief for Autistic Youth, or PRAY, in partnership with Monkey Joe's, at 1113 Maryland Ave. in Hagerstown, will hold a Special Needs Night Sunday from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $6 per child, payable at the door.

HAGERSTOWN -- The night was cold and drizzly and the rural landscape around Tri-State Fellowship was dark, but at the back of the Cearfoss Pike church building Friday night, soft light and rock music poured from the windows of an upstairs room. That room was what church members call "the Attic," and inside, in a space filled with mismatched couches, game tables and a large plywood cross, a new coffeehouse-style ministry was celebrating its opening night. The event, called "Third Fridays at the Attic," was organized by members of Oasis, a young adult Bible study group at Tri-State Fellowship, co-organizer Luke Greffen said.

HAGERSTOWN -- It's not something you would typically find in a church. But there it was, a rock show Sunday night at Covenant Life Church International on Dual Highway. Concert lights were erected over the pews while two electric guitar players, a bass player, lead singer and a drummer delivered a heavy, driving sound in their own rendition of tunes from Van Halen, Joan Jett, the Rolling Stones and other groups. The Christian rock group ApologetiX played to about 150 people at the local church, taking classic rock 'n' roll songs and changing the lyrics to deliver religious messages.

I was born into a family where my mother's side was gifted in music. Naturally, I began to like music, but it was only through the past few years that I have grown to love music and form my beliefs on music. I believe that God put music on this earth as a way to praise him and bring honor to him, but I also believe music is used in other ways besides giving glory to God. Music, to me, is more than just something to listen to or do in your spare time. Music is a part of me. I believe God wants me to do something in music.

HAGERSTOWN - Jay Gantz and his girlfriend, Leslie Metz, said they were looking for something positive to do Saturday night. They settled on going to Praise at the Park, a concert at City Park. "We saw a flier and wanted to check it out," said Metz, 35, of Hagerstown. "I like that it's positive. We need more positive things in the area. " "It's something different," added Gantz, 47, also of Hagerstown. "It's a good thing. " Now in its seventh year, Praise at the Park has had a variety of names and has included other bands in the past.

HAGERSTOWN--Jay Gantz and his girlfriend, Leslie Metz, said they were looking for something positive to do Saturday night. They settled on going to Praise at the Park, a concert at City Park. "We saw a flier and wanted to check it out," said Metz, 35, of Hagerstown. "I like that it's positive. We need more positive things in the area. " "It's something different," added Gantz, 47, also of Hagerstown. "It's a good thing. " Now in its seventh year, Praise at the Park has had a variety of names and has included other bands in the past.

John McCutcheon CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - American folk singer John McCutcheon will perform. 7:30 p.m. today. Wilson College's Laird Hall, 1015 Philadelphia Ave. Tickets cost $7 to $14; free for children in grades kindergarten through 12 and full-time Wilson CFW and CCE students. For information or tickets, call 717-262-2003 or e-mail specialevents@wilson.edu. Order tickets online at www.wilson.edu. Cruise in Eastern Panhandle Camaro Association will have a cruise in and meeting.

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. -Switchfoot will bring their "good ol' sweaty rock show" to Shippensburg University's H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 12. The five-man band from San Diego formed under the name Chin Up in 1996 but found success as Switchfoot. The band's latest album, "Oh! Gravity," topped Billboard's Top Christian Album chart this year. Switchfoot's prior two albums, "Nothing is Sound" and "The Beautiful Letdown," also topped Billboard's Christian album chart.

Shriners Circus The 50th annual Ali Ghan Shriners Circus features the Royal Hanneford Circus. Today, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Hagerstown Community College ARCC, Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. $6 in advance or $8 at the door. Children ages 13 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets are available at Gibney's Florists on Virginia Avenue near City Park, Volunteer Fire Co. of Halfway, EVS Truck Repair, Hagerstown Community College bookstore and Shives Pizza in Hancock.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com The audience didn't come in the hoped-for numbers for a two-day Christian rock concert at Whitetail Ski Resort this weekend, but it did come through in another way that helped ensure the show went on. With the concert - called The Awakening 2002 - on the verge of being cut short by several hours due to low attendance, audience members contributed nearly $5,000 to help defray the expenses and keep the show going...