2016 Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The 31st Chicago Gospel Music Festival will take place June 3–4, 2016, with performances at the Chicago Cultural Center and at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion. In addition, there will be a festival preview concert and conversation on May 18 and a panel discussion on June 2 (details below). All festival and preview events are free!
Chicago Gospel Music Festival Preview Events
Up Close & PersonalWednesday, May 18 • 6:30 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street
Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North
In a conversation moderated by GRAMMY Award Winner Michelle Williams, GRAMMY Award Winner Lalah Hathaway and Vice President and General Manager of Urban Inspiration | Entertainment One Music Phil Thornton will discuss their careers and answer audience questions. The event will also feature performances by Kinsmen and Kymar Garner.
Every Year Carries a Number: Preserving the Endangered Gospel Music Recordings of the Great Migration EraThursday, June 2 • 5:30 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street
Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North
Marking the centennial of the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to Chicago, Robert Markovich, Journal of Gospel Music founder and editor-in-chief and author of A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music, moderates a panel discussion regarding efforts to preserve recorded gospel music for future generations. Panelists include Professor Bob Darden, Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, headquartered at Baylor University; Janet Harper, librarian, Center for Black Music Research; Johari Jabir, associate professor, University of Illinois at Chicago and Dorsey Convention Archivist; and Rev. Dr. Stanley Keeble, Chicago Gospel Music Heritage Museum.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival Schedule
Friday, June 3
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street
Randolph Square, 1st Floor North
12 noon • Jessica Love aka JLove1 p.m. • Candy LaFlora (photo at left)
2 p.m. • "Chicago’s Next" featuring
Kymar Garner and Ebony and Ron Poindexter
3 p.m. • "Pastors of Praise" featuring
When Shepherds Worship
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street
Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor South
12:30 p.m. • Kenwood Academy High School Festival Concert Choir1:30 p.m. • GA3 (photo at left)
2:30 p.m. • Kevin Gray
3:30 p.m. • Kinsmen
Millennium Park, 201 East Randolph Street
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
6 p.m. • Orchestra Ebenezer Ministry6:45 p.m. • Kenny Lewis (photo at left) and One Voice
7:30 p.m. • Celebration of Gospel Music Quartets featuring The Victory Travelers, The Douglas Singers, and The James'
8:30 p.m. • A Gray Boys Production featuring Percy Gray, Jr. & Joshua's Troop, New Direction, and Chicago Mass Choir
Saturday, June 4
Millennium Park, 201 East Randolph Street
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4 p.m. • Great Migration Centennial Celebration Choir featuring Dr. Cynthia Nunn & The IMEJ Mass Choir and The Vessels of Victory, Victory Apostolic Church5 p.m. • Brian Courtney Wilson
5:45 p.m. • William Murphy (photo at left)
6:30 p.m. • Shirley Caesar (photo at left)7:30 p.m. • Travis Greene
8:30 p.m. • Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship