Chicago Gospel Music Festival — Fine in ’09!

Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin headline a star-studded Chicago Gospel Music Festival. The fest will be held in Chicago’s beautiful Millenium Park Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.

For more information, visit http://www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us/.

Below is the roster of performers from the Festival website. You are in for a treat the entire weekend, but TBGB special recommendations are in bold.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Gospel Youth Stage
Saturday & Sunday 1- 4:30 pm

Walgreens Day Stage
• 12 – 12:30 pm – Alfred Wheeler & Blessed
• 12:35 – 12:55 pm – Ebone’
• 1 – 1:25 pm – Maurice Griffin (Maurice Griffin is the BET Sunday Best contestant)
• 1:30 – 2 pm – The Celestials
• 2:10 – 2:35 pm – Felica Welch & Friends
• 2:40 – 3:10 pm – New Orleans Heritage Festival Artists-The Voices of Distinction
• 3:20 – 3:45 pm – The James’
• 3:50 – 4:15 pm – Lady La Varnga Hubbard (an amazing traditional gospel singer)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
• 4:30 – 4:55 pm – The Voices of Acme Missionary Baptist Church Choir

The Voices of Acme Missionary Baptist Church Choir is the How Sweet the Sound Winner! (Best Church Choir in U.S. for more information visit http://www.howsweetthesound.com/)

• 5 – 5:25 pm – Shekinah Glory Ministry (“Jesus,” “Yes,” “Praise is What I Do”)

• 5:35 – 6:20 pm – Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose (gospel hit-makers)

• 6:30 – 7:30 pm – Fred Nelson, III presents: “An Evening of Gospel Elegance” featuring Rodrick Dixon, The Divine Divas (Felicia Coleman-Evans, Connie Kinnison & Elizabeth Norman-Sojourner) and (GMAC) The Gospel Music According to Chicago Mass Choir

(If you can only see one group at Fest, make it the GMAC Mass Choir!)

• 7:40 – 8:15 pm – The Quartet Special featuring Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites and Lee Williams & The Spiritual Q-C’s

• 8:30 – 9:30 pm – DONNIE McCLURKIN

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Walgreens Day Stage

“SUNDAY QUARTET SPECIAL”
• 12 – 12:30 pm – Evelyn Turrentine Agee (Detroit’s singing powerhouse)
• 12:35 – 1 pm – The Mighty Bells of Joy
• 1:05 – 1:30 pm – The Gospel Crusaders
• 1:35 – 2:10 pm – The Genessee Travelers (Designer and One-Way label artist)
• 2:15 – 2:45 pm – The Christland Singers (The late R.H. Harris’ group)
• 2:55 – 3:30 pm – Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites
• 3:40 – 4:15 pm – Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
• 4:30 – 5 pm – Dr. Charles G. Hayes & The Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir
(This group epitomizes the sound of Chicago second generation gospel choruses)

• 5:05 – 5:30 pm – New Direction

• 5:40 – 6:25 pm – Rev. Dr. Lucius Hall presents: “A Touch of Chicago’s Gospel Pioneers/Legends” featuring Professor Almond Dawson, Evangelist Verlene Moore, Reverend Walter Veal & Dr. Yolanda Freeman (Almond Dawson was with the Inspirationals)

• 6:35 – 7:05 pm – Evelyn Turrentine-Agee

• 7:20 – 8:20 pm – Special appearance by FANTASIA featuring Diane Barrino (mother & daughter)

• 8:30 – 9:30 pm – KIRK FRANKLIN