Thornetta Davis to rock coffeehouse By Jennie Miller SOUTHFIELD — Thornetta Davis, a local blues singer who has shared a stage with the likes of Bonnie Raitt and opened shows for performers like Ray Charles and Etta James, will be belting it out at the Grounds for Peace Coffeehouse March 20. “I always love singing for any occasion, but it’s nice to break it down,” said Davis, a Detroit resident. “I love intimate gatherings, so I was glad to do it.” It could be considered a match made in heaven, as many of the songs in Davis’ repertoire focus on love, peace and harmony. Grounds for Peace Coffeehouse, inside Southfield’s Peace Lutheran Church, was created to spread a message of peace and justice while building community and supporting music and the arts. “I ask God to use me in any way He can,” Davis said. “I feel honored.” “(We) are excited that Thornetta is the featured performer,” said event planner Cynthia Peele, who estimated that 70-80 people will attend, based on the two previous coffeehouses that were held this year, including one that celebrated the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and another that featured a performance by the Rosedale Community Players. This month’s coffeehouse will focus on Women’s History Month. “I wrote a song called ‘Sister Friends’ I’m going to be performing, and ‘Wild Women Never Get the Blues,’” Davis said of her set list. “It makes me feel good to uplift women at this time of the month. I’m just there to make everybody feel good, and lift one another’s spirits up.” Other artists performing at this month’s coffeehouse in addition to Davis include singers Julie Ford, Doreen Larson and Alicia Tucker, as well as readings by the poet Marie Lhota and Theatre of Necessity. Davis will take the stage at 9 p.m. “The idea is to provide some affordable entertainment for folks in the community, and along with that, do a whole lot of different kinds of entertainment culturally,” said Pastor Tim Larson when the coffeehouse was first formed. “What we’re really trying to do here is give folks in the community an opportunity to get together and to enjoy one another’s company and do so at an affordable place with quality music and entertainment.” “Quality music” is an understatement when referring to Davis. Saying she’s too old to share her age, Davis has been performing for 20 years, and has shared a stage with many legendary performers. “(I’ll never forget) singing with Bonnie Raitt — she invited me onstage to perform her encore song with her at the Ann Arbor blues festival,” Davis recalled. “She’s one of my idols, and the fact that she wanted me up onstage with her is one of my most memorable performances. I’ve opened up for a lot of people, but she invited me up onstage and I’ll never forget that.” Tickets for the event are $10 and may be purchased at the door. Proceeds go to benefit initiatives conducted by Peace Lutheran Church. Food, provided by The Wobbly Kitchen, will also be available for a donation. To reserve a ticket, call (248) 642-7047 and leave a message. Peace Lutheran Church is located at 17029 W. 13 Mile in Southfield. You can reach Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108. 
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