BY TOBY MCCRAE

Truth Correspondent

ELKHART -- Dorothy Carter's 1,500-square-foot loft apartment above Main Street in Elkhart has the look and feel of a candlelit jazz house and restaurant.

On Friday night, it became just that.

A crowd of more than 60 people gathered for Cornbread 'n Jazz, a free evening of home-cooked food, the sound stylings of a live jazz trio and an invitation to step up to the open microphone to perform spoken-word poetry, songs or a dramatic skit.

"The idea was to provide a free social outlet where creative minds can come together for entertainment and not be bothered by the elements of drinking and bad language. Just a wholesome environment where we can express ourselves and network, 'cause you never know where this might lead," said one of the organizers, D'Juan Hill.

At first, Carter, Hill, and a few co-workers and friends thought they were planning an intimate gathering of 10 couples, most of whom recently were affected by job loss.

But as word traveled from friend to friend, momentum picked up and the guest list grew.

People were met at the door and invited to help themselves to a donated buffet of hot spaghetti, collard greens, cornbread and Bruno's Pizza.

"What a cool event for people to share whatever their spirit guides them to talk about, like where they're at with their jobs, where they're at without their jobs. Just to be real on a Friday night," said Michele Fanfair-Steury, a fashion boutique owner from Goshen.

Surrounded by dim lighting and eclectic art in one of the loft's six open rooms, men and women took turns receiving complementary back massages from a trained massage therapist.

Handmade "soothing stones" for stress relief were handed out as gifts along with a card bearing an inspirational message and a peace sign.

Darrell Gingerich, a case manager at Madison Center For Children, drove over with a friend from South Bend for "something different."

"This is not something you hear or see every day. It's kind of unique to have performances in a home, with the music and the friendliness of everyone here. Maybe it's just a way to move on and still celebrate life even in the midst of difficulty," Gingerich said.

A spoken-word poet stood at the microphone and talked about having faith that God will lift her through troubled times. When the performance ended, the crowd snapped fingers in unison.

The ethnically diverse group dined at linen-covered tables, drinking bottled water and sipping fruit punch served from a streaming, three-tiered pink fountain.

Artists and business people, musicians and social services workers -- with and without jobs -- mingled in each of the loft's rooms until after midnight. People left promising to return.

"Next time bring your art or you can't come!" Carter called out playfully.

Carter, who works in customer service at Verizon Wireless in Elkhart, said she was first "inspired to open a jazz club in a home atmosphere" after visiting her daughter in Manhattan and hanging out together at a night spot called Jezebel's.

Wowed by the turnout, organizers plan to host more free events this summer and through the fall. Carter says local restaurants and businesses will be approached to donate food and supplies.

Sharing good food, being social and enjoying live music in an upscale atmosphere is good for the soul, but it's also tough to afford a relaxing night on the town when money is tight for so many people, she said.