Catholic Underground ©, a.k.a. CU, is a cultural apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal - www.franciscanfriars.com. It is a direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II, and is continued by Pope Benedict XVI. JPII said that because the Gospel lives in conversation with culture, we must be fearless in crossing the cultural threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place.
The first part of the evening is Eucharistic adoration, and begins with Vespers (Evening Prayer). This is the universal prayer of the Church - prayed by the Catholics throughout the world in every time zone and in every language. After Vespers, there is a time of simple praise. This provides a window for each person to personally encounter Jesus Christ. The beauty of the darkened Church illumined by candles helps us enter the mystery of our Lord's presence in the Eucharist. The holy hour ends with solemn Benediction.
The second part showcases Catholic artists. Here we experience the "new evangelization". The Underground includes music, poetry, visual art, dancers, film, drama, etc.
We end our evening as we began. With the prayer of the Church. Compline (Night Prayer) is simple and beautiful. It concludes with a hymn to Our Lady, Daughter Zion. Mother of the New Jerusalem.
UPCOMING DATES & FEATURED ARTISTS
Saturday, March 13, 2010
featuring Manchild
Greg Owens (Manchild) is a true believer in the power of hip-hop music. He is one-half of Mars ILL, a duo from Atlanta, Georgia who have been turning the culture on its ear since the year 2000. Along with Mars ILL cohort, DJ Dust, Manchild has released 3 nationally released albums, selling over 40,000 units worldwide, and performing more than 600 concerts in the United States, Canada and Europe. The group has always found a way to gain respect without compromising their message.
Manchild has shared the stage with such mainstream notables as KRS-One, Living Legends, Atmosphere, M.F. Doom, Bigg Jus and Brother Ali, Toby Mac, G.R.I.T.S., John Reuben, Kutless, Pillar, KJ-52, Paul Wright, Shawn McDonald, 4th Avenue Jones and many more. Performing in front of varying types of crowds has sharpened Manchild into a top flight performer and communicator.
As a solo rap artist and speaker, Manchild uses the art of songwriting to communicate his heart, his mind and worldview. He is able to create music that speaks directly to the issues that real people face every day. He also takes a true-school hip-hop approach and creates positive and upbeat music that reflects the joy of life his expression of it. “I’ve seen the influence of music, both good and bad, over the years. I want to give people a viable alternative to the negative music pushed over radio waves today,” says Manchild. ...more on Manchild...
Saturday, May 8, 2010
featuring The Understudies (Listen to The Understudies)
Since their inception in early 2008, the band has played venues along the East Coast, bringing their blues/soul infused brand of driving, melodic rock'n'roll to a diverse audience, even earning themselves a spot as the house band for Catholic Underground Arlington. Now, out of the studio with their debut EP, the band is once again hitting the road, armed with new music, but served up with the same passion you've come to expect from The Understudies. ...more on The Understudies...
Saturday, July 10, 2010
featuring Marie Miller (Listen to Marie Miller)
Fan favorite Marie Miller returns to Catholic Underground-Philadelphia on July 10, 2010.
Taken from www.mariemiller.net - "Marie's music is the natural intersection of her faith and fervor for life. Her Christ-centered view of faith and love is well beyond her 19 years and is beautifully reflected in her songwriting. While her personal journey continues to unfold, Marie uncompromising vision is driving her to not only share her music, but to be obedient to the call and purpose that God has placed on her life and the music that she is sharing with the world.
As the third of ten children, Marie's upbringing has certainly given her a different perspective and drive than most teens her age. Her musical passage began when she was merely eleven years singing and playing professionally in her home state of Virginia.
Award winning producer Mark Heimermann's was one of the first to recognize Marie's talents. He helped her to produce a seven song EP and connected her with songwriting talents such as Alisa Childers and veteran Nashville songwriter Judson Spence. ...more on Marie Miller...
Schedule for Catholic Underground:
7:30pm Confessions
7:45pm Holy Hour and Evening Prayer
8:45pm Benediction
9:00pm Coffeehouse and Artist
10:30pm Night Prayer
Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul
18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Free Parking Available
Suggested donation of $5 - includes entertainment, food, and drinks
For more information contact Chris Jones or call 215-965-4625
Catholic Underground Philadelphia
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Born over a pitcher and a prayer at the local watering hole, DC singer-songwriter circuit riders Mike Tenney and Ryan Hehman joined forces with fellow open-mic warrior Laura Van Duzer , enlisting drummer Jarrod Jabre (Three Foot Zero) to create the alternative-pop-rock group the understudies .