ENTERTAINMENT NEWS : Music, Food to Nourish the Soul : Cafe plans joyful noise with the Jones Sisters gospel group and Southern fare, from pork chops to grits, for Easter.

Lenetta Kidd knows a trend when she sees one.

Kidd, who books musical acts at the Moonlight Tango Cafe in Sherman Oaks, has been to the gospel brunches at the House of Blues in Holly wood and B. B. King’s on Universal CityWalk, and she’s impressed.

“There are a lot of groups who are just so good,” Kidd said. “No matter what religion you are, there’s something with this music that will touch everyone. It’s very uplifting.”

After seeing the Jones Sisters, a gospel group from San Diego, in rehearsal, Kidd was so uplifted that she booked them for two weekends at the Moonlight Tango’s new Sunday Gospel Brunch series. She was similarly impressed by the Long Beach gospel group Mary and the Voices of Honor and Glory!, who will perform for Moonlight Tango’s Sunday brunch April 23.

In addition to the heavenly sounds at the brunches, the club will offer what is described as a Southern soul buffet, featuring fried chicken, pork chops, shrimp Creole, cheese grits, corn bread and bread pudding with bourbon sauce.

The Jones Sisters, who are siblings, have been singing together since they were children, Kidd says. The women will perform shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday notwithstanding, the brunch is more slick show biz than pious religious service. The Jones Sisters’ act has been choreographed by Emmy-winning producer-choreographer Walter Painter, with costumes by Ret Turner and Bob Mackie.

“It’s a show,” Kidd says. “And it’s very entertaining.”

Moonlight Tango Cafe, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, presents the Jones Sisters at its Easter Sunday Gospel Brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Brunch is $26.95, $13.95 children. In the same series, on April 23, gospel group Mary and the Voices of Honor and Glory! will perform. Call (818) 788-2000.

STARS ‘N’ SYMPHONY: Norman Henry Mamey admits that Glendale already has some fine musical ensembles, but he thinks there’s room for one more. That’s why last week he announced the premiere season program for the new ensemble he’s forming: the Glendale Festival Orchestra.

“This is a completely different type of orchestra and a completely different season,” Mamey said. “We’re bringing stars and the symphony together.”

Seven of its eight scheduled concerts will be at the renovated Alex Theatre on Brand Boulevard in Glendale. Mamey will serve as both the music director and conductor of the new 50-member orchestra. Mamey has composed scores for numerous television shows, movies and theatrical productions and has been guest conductor for a variety of orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Dallas Symphony.

The new ensemble will integrate orchestral programs with other forms of live entertainment to present shows that are family-friendly, Mamey said. The season is divided into two parts: a celebrity series and one that is oriented toward family and educational entertainment.

The orchestra will premiere June 4 with “Sid Caesar--Launching the Next Fifty Years!,” featuring the legendary comic performer in many classic routines, some involving the orchestra. The program will also include musical selections from the Golden Age of Television. Ticket prices to this gala premiere have not been set, but will be around $100. Tickets to the other shows in the season will be less, ranging from $15 to $60, Mamey said.

Other celebrities scheduled for concerts are the mimes Shields and Yarnell in July and, in October, singer Shirley Jones performing a tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Additional future shows will be geared to education as well as entertainment. Mamey says he wants to draw a younger audience because many young people believe the concert hall is too stuffy.

Programs planned specially for young people include “The Garfield Family Concert--Music Is My Life,” featuring the famous cartoon feline, in October; a show featuring singer Bob McGrath of “Sesame Street” with the orchestra in November, and a program titled “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” in January, 1996.

Children are “the next generation of concert-goers, “ Mamey said. “So, the more they’re educated, the better it is for all orchestras. We have to aim at all ages, all people and all cultures.”

“Sid Caesar--Launching the Next Fifty Years!” featuring comic Sid Caesar and the Glendale Festival Orchestra 8 p.m. June 4 at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Ticket prices to this gala premiere have not been set, but will be around $100 and may be purchased individually or as part of a subscription package. Call (818) 500-0015.

SING THING: Bill Lyons says he’s learned from years of scheduling rehearsals that if you set one at an odd time, people will show up punctually. That’s why the Cal State Northridge Jazz Vocal Ensemble’s concert Monday evening is scheduled for 8:07 p.m.

“Oddly enough, it gets people to ask about it and it gets people to come on time,” says Lyons, the group’s director.

The concert, titled “Sprang Flang Sang Thang,” will feature the 14-voice ensemble with an accompanying rhythm section.

“Jazz has such a wide spectrum of music,” Lyons says. “We’ll do a little bit of everything.” Selections will include the pop classic “The Shadow of Your Smile” and a song Lyons wrote, “I’d Rather Be Eating Ice Cream.”

“Sprang Flang Sang Thang” is just one of several spring-semester music programs coming up at CSUN. Classical guitar students will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, the Jazz “B” Band will give a concert at 8 p.m. April 21, the Wind Symphony will play at 8 p.m. April 23 and a steel drum concert, “Hot! Hot! Hot!,” is planned for 8 p.m. April 24.

“Sprang Flang Sang Thang” will feature the Cal State Northridge Jazz Vocal Ensemble at 8:07 p.m. Monday in the Recital Hall, CSUN Music Building, 18111 Nordhoff St. Tickets are $6.50 general, $3.50 students and seniors. Call (818) 885-2488.