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Catch the fever

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: April 15, 2009

VALRICO - The familiar strains of Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl" stream through the open windows of the two-story log cabin behind Horizon Christian Church in Valrico.

It's not the genre of music typically heard on church grounds. But Horizon Christian Church's Wednesday night Cabin Fever isn't a typical church offering.

Each Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m., the cabin behind the church at 1720 St. Cloud Ave., used for Scout meetings, Bible study and fellowship gatherings, is transformed into a restaurant and coffee house featuring food from Beef O'Brady's, homemade breads, gourmet coffees, live acoustic music and song.

There, experienced musicians and first-time entertainers perform in a casual atmosphere as friends gather for a bite to eat inside or on the cabin's spacious front porch while children play tag or beach volleyball outside.

The nondenominational Cabin Fever evenings are the brainchild of a group of the church's members who simply wanted to be able to share their music in a setting outside the usual bar scene.

"I loved playing at open-mic nights," said Greg Peterson, music minister at the church. "But bars weren't always the best environment to perform in."

He mentioned his dilemma to fellow church members and music lovers Paul Garner and Mike Dunn, who suggested they create their own musical venue with the type of family-friendly atmosphere they preferred.

"The idea kind of took on a life of its own," Garner said. "Once we decided to offer the Cabin Fever Open-Mic Night, everything fell into place."

The Rev. Scott Riggs, pastor of Horizon Christian Church, was more than happy to allow the cabin behind the church to be transformed into a coffeehouse once a week.

The 7-year-old church sits on 10 acres of property. Shortly after he joined it, Riggs got a call from a real estate agent informing him that a neighboring property owner wanted to donate the log cabin to the church.

The 1,800-square-foot, two-story log home was in great condition, so the congregation agreed to pay $19,000 to move it to the church grounds. There, it serves as a meeting place for youth groups, five Scout troops and men's and women's fellowship groups.

"I thought an open-mic night was a great opportunity to have an outreach to the community," Riggs said. "After a day of work, people can come in and relax, have dinner, listen to music, and the kids can run around and play in a safe atmosphere.

"I meet my wife here after work, and I can take off my pastor hat and just sit back and listen to the music. I'd like us to be known as a church that cares about the entire community, whether you're a member here or not."

With Riggs' approval, Garner, a longtime customer of the Beef O'Brady's restaurant on State Road 60 in Valrico, approached owner Jeff Fuerst about providing food. Fuerst offered to provide a choice of four meals and charge a mere $5 each.

Cabin Fever has its own Beef's menu with a choice of half a Cuban sandwich with chips, a five-wing basket, grilled chicken served over a bed of greens with a choice of dressing and a cheeseburger basket with chips and coleslaw.

"This was an awesome idea," Fuerst said. "I provide the food at cost, and it helps the church raise a little money."

The desserts are provided courtesy of congregation member Crystal Kitchen who began making home-baked breads from old family recipes to give as Christmas gifts several years ago. Her breads, including Hawaiian, banana nut, pumpkin and apple breads, became so popular at the church that they asked her to provide them as desserts for the coffee house.

The coffee house can accommodate about 35 diners at tables on the first floor and on the porch outside. In addition, there are couches and easy chairs upstairs overlooking the main dining area. There, patrons can play chess or checkers while listening to music.

Middle school students trained by Dunn, owner of The Hip Hop Soda Shop in Tampa, earn tips and experience waiting tables at Cabin Fever.

"Here we run only three hours, and you're guaranteed an environment that's family-oriented and affordable," Garner said. "It's definitely an alternative to the bar lifestyle."

Acoustic musicians and singers of all ages and genres are invited to sign up at the beginning of the evening to perform three songs.

Chris Chamberlain, 18, and his 13-year-old brother, Austin, decided to make their stage debut at Cabin Fever after playing guitar for about three years.

They opened with an acoustic version of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon."

"It was great," Chris Chamberlain said. "I wasn't nervous at all. It's really relaxed once you're up there. It's nice to play somewhere without worrying about getting heckled."

Accompanied by Peterson on guitar, Theresa Wagner sang a heartfelt version of the blues song "Summertime."

"I just love this idea," she said of Cabin Fever. "It's such a clean and wholesome environment. You feel comfortable here, whether you know anyone or not."

For information, visit www.horizonchristianchurch .com and click on "Cabin Fever."

GET CABIN FEVER

WHAT: Coffee house and restaurant featuring live acoustic music and song

WHERE: 1720 St. Cloud Ave., Horizon Christian Church in Valrico

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays

INFORMATION: www.horizon christianchurch.com, and click on "Cabin Fever."

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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