This is a FREE annual event in Chicago. Below is a preview of the June, 2018 festival. Look for this same event next year.
DCASE — The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the lineup for the 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival.
The free admission festival happening June 1–2 in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center will include the headliners—The Canton Spirituals, Israel & New Breed, “Oh Happy Day”: Chicago Choirs Celebrate the Music of Edwin Hawkins, The Walls Group, The Tri-City Singers Reunion and many more.
“Gospel music is the inspiration for so many music genres including the blues, soul, R&B, pop and jazz,” said Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “We look forward to celebrating the music started here in Chicago more than eighty years ago and the current scene.”
Highlights of the Gospel festival
Israel & New Breed
Israel & New Breed will headline the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Friday at 8:20 p.m., led by Grammy®, Dove and Stellar Award winner Israel Houghton. As a singer, songwriter and producer, Isreal Houghton makes music influenced by African, Middle Eastern and South American beats and sounds that cross generational and cultural lines.
Edwin Hawkins
Artists celebrate the music of the late Edwin Hawkins, the Grammy® Award-winning singer who passed away earlier this year. Hawkins merged gospel and secular sounds in a career highlighted by the crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” in 1968. Chicago Choirs Celebrate the Music of Edwin Hawkins will feature Anita Wilson, Jonathan Nelson, Beverly Crawford, Ted Winn, Bryan Popin, Rudy Currence and Latice Crawford.
The Walls Group
From Houston, Texas, The Walls Group, made up of siblings Darrel, Rhea, Paco and Ahjah, will take the stage at 7:15 p.m. The four young artists are two-time Grammy® Award nominees as well as fifth generation singers from a musical family. Their sound is a blend of urban pop and contemporary gospel.
Tri-City Singers
Performance by The Tri-City Singers, including award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and director Donald Lawrence. The Tri-City Singers began their journey in 1993. The group’s final 2006 release Finale Act 1 & Act 2, recorded live over two nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia, received accolades on the gospel music charts, including the number 1 hit, “The Blessing of Abraham.”
The Next Generation of Young Artists and Youth Choirs
As part of the Year of Creative Youth (2018) in Chicago, the next generation of young artists and youth choirs will perform at the Inspiration Youth Stage on Saturday, June 2, in Millennium Park in the North Promenade Tent. The festival will also offer family activities, arts and crafts for kids, face painting in the Kids Activity Zone and a Health and Wellness Oasis with information and talks on healthy eating, exercise and preventative screenings and care.
Where & When
Friday, June 1
Chicago Cultural Center – Randolph Square, 1st Floor North
Noon–12:30 p.m. TBD
12:40–1:10 p.m. Verzuane McCoy and Worship Experience
1:20–1:50 p.m. Gospel Hip Hop Showcase
2–2:30 p.m. Wendell Parker
2:40–3:10 p.m. LaVargna Hubbard
3:20–3:55 p.m. Elder Thomas Singers
Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5:30–5:50 p.m. Pastor Dan Willis and ChoZen Youth Choir 150!
6 p.m.–7 p.m. Church Girls Rock Too!
7:10–8:10 p.m. The Canton Spirituals
8:20–9:30 p.m. Israel & New Breed
Saturday, June 2
Millennium Park – North Promenade Tent
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Kids Activities
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Health & Wellness
Noon–4 p.m. Youth Stage
Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4:30–5:15 p.m. Special Perfomance (to be announced)
5:25–6:35 p.m. “Oh Happy Day”
6:45–7:05 p.m. House and Gospel Music Legacy
7:15–8:15 p.m. The Walls Group
8:30–9:30 p.m. Tri-City Singers Reunion
Tickets:
For complete details on the Chicago Gospel Music Festival including artist information, visit the DCASE Chicago Gospel Music Festival Webpage
Photos courtesy of DCASE
