According to TheBelleReport.com
26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival a new look and familiar faces
The 26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival on June 5 and 6, 2010 is being held in Millennium Park, with a new look but the same traditions. The festival will feature familiar headliners that event audiences haven’t seen for a while, including Sunday evening’s finale at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, with multi-Stellar and Dove winner, Fred Hammond.
Dr. Ricky Dillard and the New G is another returnee, who last performed at the festival in 2004. His performance will lead off Saturday evening’s line-up that includes Byron Cage, and closing the evening’s line-up, the first appearance in more than a decade of Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir.
While the Queen of Gospel Music always holds court at this festival, Dr. Albertina Walker will be on stage joining Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews & Delores Washington or as they are known, The Caravans.
“Our events always reflect a merger of past successes and new ideas; this year’s event has some changes including a new coordinator, taking the place of Gospel’s #1 Sister Pam Morris, but the integrity of the festival and what makes it so popular, is still in tact,” said Megan McDonald, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
The Inspiration Youth Stage will be located on the south promenade, just steps away from the Crown Fountain.
The Walgreens Day Stage has also been moved to north promenade just west of the Pritzker Pavilion. Chicago Gospel Music fans will enjoy seeing a line up comprised mainly of local performers including Kenny Lewis & One Voice which invites native New Yorker, JJ Hairston to join the Chicago group.
Walgreens is adding a Wellness Campaign to the festival this year, with a 40 foot heath screening and education vehicle that offers free health screenings, including blood pressure, bone density, glucose and cholesterol levels, body mass index and weight circumference. The screenings are recommended for adults 18 and older. Results are instantly provided and participants are encouraged to visit a doctor or health care provider to discuss the results.
Another new feature this year will be strolling entertainment such as drum lines and praise dancers between sets enticing visitors along Michigan Avenue to experience one of Chicago’s great contributions to the music world.
The festival hours are Saturday, and Sunday, 11a.m. – 9p.m. (entertainment at the Pritzker Pavilion begins at 4:30p.m.)
The Chicago Gospel Music festival is presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and sponsored by Chicago Jazz Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Transit Authority, CLTV-ChicagoLand’s Television, Communications Direct, Hinckley Springs, Inspiration 1390AM, Pepsi-Cola, WGN-Television and Walgreens.
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.
