Praise the Lord and Pass the Grits: The House of Blues Gospel Brunch
Usually, by the time Sunday morning rolls around, we’re buried deep in our beds, reaching out from the covers only for water or aspirin, as memories of our weekend indulgences trickle slowly through our synapses. While the rest of the modern world is out doing civilized things - walking their dogs, picking up fresh fruit from farmer’s markets, pushing children on swings - we’re trying to put the pieces of our lives together before work calls again on Monday morning.
Sometimes, though, even sinners have to go to church. And even if that church lies on the Sunset Strip, just steps away from temptations galore, we’ll find the pleasure in the salvation it offers. Especially in the gluttony of the menus and the pride of the singing, the House of Blues Sunset Strip World Famous Gospel Brunch is our kind of redemption.
As wristbands were affixed and tickets were punched, we realized right away that we were about to receive the Good Word in an entirely new way. Bottomless Bloody Mary drinks and mimosas began to flow and bread was broken. Bread which included corn muffins, banana bread, and other varieties not usually served in church.
There was hummus with pita chips, pasta salad, and a dish full of peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce. Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese grits (a favorite of all, including my Norwegian girlfriend who had never been introduced to anything close), waffles, baked macaroni and cheese, and a spicy jambalaya were all served with equal affection.
Omelets were made fresh-to-order, with tomatoes, onions, peppers, ham, bacon, and anything else you could Heavenly imagine. And for a sinful dessert, chocolate brownies, bread pudding, and an apple cobbler.
I took my family to Sunday Gospel Brunch for Father's Day and there was my Israeli mother on her feet swinging her white napkin along with the crowd singing along to Gospel music. It's inspiring. It's fun.
And the food is amazing, " says Dorielle Hanyecz, the Senior Sales Manager for Foundation Room atop House of Blues Sunset Strip. Dorielle plans member events and sells VIP memberships to Foundation Room which is located on the third floor of House of Blues. Members receive complimentary valet parking, access to pre-sale tickets and VIP seating in the Music Hall. Members experience only the very best and enjoy amenities such as live music, five-star dining, private sacred prayer rooms, and breathtaking panoramic views, all of which create the most dynamic and sexy atmosphere in Los Angeles.
If the experience had ended there, with our stomachs bursting and our minds free from worry, it would have been a success. But what brought it truly to the transcendental was a performance by The Legendary Clara Ward Singers. These ladies had incredibly elaborate costumes, like something you’d imagine you’d see if a group of Southern belles had put on their Sunday best, and then gone straight to Central Casting to find out if it could be amplified further.
They had the voices to match the threads, and the crowd danced, clapped, waved napkins, and smiled through the entire performance. I must confess that a few tears flowed during an especially powerful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that appeared right out of nowhere. A slow burn that became a raging inferno by the end, lighting up sins and transgressions in the beauty of the music.
The world is a difficult place to navigate, and here at Sinning in LA, we recognize that you’ll make a few mistakes now and then. But the time to repent is now, and what better place than the House of Blues, over a few drinks, boundless bites of fabulous food, and sweet soul music?
Praise the Lord and pass the grits.
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Traditionally set up as a yearly payment, with a portion donated to the International House of Blues Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charitable organization which is dedicated to bringing the arts back to schools and communities, Foundation Room has set up a monthly payment system to make things easier for their clients. Join Foundation Room Membership by December 1, 2009 to receive special offers. Please contact the staff for more details at 323.848.5138.
