A Night of Praise Outside the Four Walls

By Journalist Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH– Where can you enjoy a hot chocolate and a bagel with cream cheese while listening to live gospel music? At “2 Alice’s at Night!” On Friday, February 2, “2 Alice’s at Night a Night of Praise with Dena Walker and Judah” was held at 2 Alice’s Coffee Lounge.

Singer Jestina O’Bryant opened up with “Let God Arise and His Enemies Be Scattered” and “Because of Who You Are.”

“It’s something how you can go into four walls that [are] not a church and you can invoke the presence of God regardless of where you are,” said O’Bryant. “We don’t have to be in the walls of the church to give him praise.”

Vocalist Josiah Borden sang “For Your Glory.” The anointed Ryan Graham came all the way from Albany to minister. He played the keyboard and sang original music, “With All That I Am” and “Words Are Not Enough,” while being accompanied by Songstress Sierra Sturdivant. They threw in classics like “Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul,” sounding like one big choir as the crowd joined in.

“This is my first time in this kind of setting… It means everything… just to be… somewhere where it’s free. You can be yourself and just enjoy the company of others doing the same thing,” said Graham who also writes and produces music.

“With All That I Am” is the lead single of Graham’s upcoming worship CD titled “Quietly Loud.”
“That’s kind of how I see myself and the call and the way that God has pushed me. When you see me… in person, I’m not boisterous. I’m very relaxed and very reserved. But, I think the anointing and the impact of what it is that I have, the lyrics that I have and the substance is pretty loud,” said Graham who is producing and writing Sturdivant’s forthcoming project as well.

Dena Walker and Judah headlined the event, singing “Be Glorified,” “Lord, I Wanna Thank You,” and “Halle Halle Hallelujah.” God not only gifted her with a voice, but gave her a testimony.

“I was born with sickle-cell anemia and the Lord has brought me a mighty long way. I suffered blood clots in my neck, but the Lord touched and he healed…

“The enemy tried to put cancer on me, but God said, ‘No!’” said Walker, who believes God kept her here for a reason. “I really have a reason to give God praise!”

Victor Santiago emceed and the event was produced by Recording Artist Ralph Williams. This is the third installment of “2 Alice’s at Night” Gospel Nights.

“Outside of church, we don’t have that place that we can come on a Friday night and… listen to gospel music. We don’t have to go to the club… We can have a place where we can call our spot on Friday night,” said Williams who plans to have these events every other month and eventually more often.

2 Alice’s Coffee Lounge enjoys being a part of the community.

“It’s good to have a hand in the community, instead of just taking from it,” said Justin Hasting, a barista at 2 Alice’s Coffee Lounge.

The next “2 Alice’s at Night” Gospel Night will be on April 20.

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