Gospel Music fans who witnessed the 2007 Stellar Awards will be elated as the 23rd Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival showcases multiple award winners Donald Lawrence & Co., Myron Butler and Levi and Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson. The festival runs June 1-3, 2007 in Millennium Park and includes performances in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Gospel Youth Tent on the North Promenade and the Walgreens Day Stage on the South Promenade.
This year the event welcomes the soulful, high-energy vocals of Myron Butler and Levi on Friday evening. The ensemble received 2007 Stellar Awards for Group/Duo and Contemporary Group/Duo, plus Myron Butler was named best New Artist of the year. They appeal to many with their musical elements of traditional Gospel music, funk, rock, hip-hop, and smooth-as-silk balladry. Butler created this group with the goal of attaining the creative and dynamic sound for which the group is now famed.
New Yorker, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson is indeed a wonder as he rejuvenates the idea of the quartet with his distinguished sound of traditional Gospel music fused with jazz, R&B, rock and country. As a writer, vocalist, entertainer and minister, his passion for Gospel music earned him two Stellar Awards in 2007, and makes him an excellent compliment to this year's festival line-up.
On Saturday the festival will feature "An Evening of Gospel Elegance" and "The Professor Thomas A. Dorsey Tribute" with The Christ Universal Temple Ensemble, The Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir, The First Church of Deliverance Choir, and special guest The Divine Divas. Pam Morris, Festival Coordinator for the event, describes Saturday's evening as "three dynamic Chicago choirs and three divine gospel divas add a special touch at this years Festival honoring Professor Thomas A. Dorsey's song Precious Lord which is 75 years old."
Gospel Music is all about bringing families together, and what better way to celebrate family than with an "All in the Family: Brothers & Sisters" segment. Showcasing brothers in Gospel Music Ray and Percy Bady and sisters Vanessa, Phyllis, Lavette, Adrienne and Andrea Brown.
Headlining Saturday evening is acclaimed Gospel Music artist Donald Lawrence & Company. Beginning 2007 with six Stellar Awards and three Grammy Nominations, Lawrence and his company bring their energy on the road to the Chicago Gospel Music Festival. As a Gospel singer, songwriter, director and producer, his diverse repertory is enhanced by his original sound that illustrates dedication to excellence in Gospel Music.
On Sunday the festival will offer tribute to "Chicago's Gospel Pioneers." These icons in Gospel Music for more than 50 years will include Dr. Lucius Hall, Reverend George Jorgan and Eva J. Purnell. Sunday will also include a "Tribute to Marvin Yancy" featuring his brother Kevin Yancy and Gospel Music greats Pastor Lamont Lenox and Tyrone Block & LSD (Love, Salvation, Devotion).
Other performers include The Chicago Mass Choir and Stellar Award winners The Canton Spirituals. The event will offer a quartet series on Sunday at the Walgreens Day Stage, with a preview at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Friday evening featuring The Selvy Singers, The Mixon Singers, and The Strong Family.
Gospel enthusiasts are invited to enjoy uplifting entertainment on Saturday and Sunday at the Walgreens Day Stage and the Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge Gospel Youth Tent. Performances will feature local choirs, Quartets and more with gospel music sounds sure to make this weekend one to remember.
The festival hours are:
Friday, June 1, 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (entertainment at the Pritzker Pavilion begins at 6 p.m.);
Saturday, June 2 & Sunday, June 3, 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (entertainment at the Pritzker Pavilion begins at 5:00 p.m.)
The Chicago Gospel Music festival is presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events with many other additional sponsors including: Walgreens, Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge, Clear Channel, Communications Direct, Connie's Pizza, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, Hanes, Hinckley Springs, Inspiration 1390, La Grou Distribution System, the Palmer House Hilton, Pepsi-Cola, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs, Southwest Airlines and WGN-TV.
The Mayor's Office of Special Events encourages taking public transportation to all lakefront festivals. Call (312) 836-7000, TTY (312) 836-4949 for information on RTA, CTA, PACE and Metra. Lakefront parking is available at the Millennium Park Garage, as well as at East Monroe, Grant Park North and Grant Park South parking garages.
The city of Chicago does not endorse or promote any religious messages expressed by the performers. For great hotel rates, call 1 (877) CHICAGO.
