City of Chicago Gospel Festival
Windy City Sings the Gospel at Millennium Park May 30 - June 1
© Christine Nyholm
May 10, 2008
The 24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival at Millennium Park is a free event that fills the Windy City with the sweet sounds of dynamic spiritual music.
The city of Chicago Gospel Festival at Millennium Park features the sweet sounds gospel music from Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June l.
The gospel festival takes place between on the weekend two other big weekend events in Chicago: The city of Chicago Memorial Day Commemoration and Parade is held the previous weekend on Saturday, May 24.The Chicago Blues Festival is held the following weekend, from Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8.
Gospel is a dynamic music with solid spiritual origins. According to the Chicago Gospel Music Festival website, gospel came into being around 1926. Elements of gospel music can be tracked back to early American hymns, old Negro spirituals, folk songs and the blues.
City of Chicago Gospel Festival at Millennium Park
Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1
The 24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival is held at Millennium Park in Chicago. Performances begin at 5:00 pm on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Walgreen's Day Stage Features Daily Performances Starting at Noon on Saturday and Sunday
- Walgreen's Day Stage on Saturday. Performers include Hark Hubbard & The Voices, 1Sol featuring Sylvester Harper, Valencia Lacy & The Unquenchable Worshipers, Joyce Hurley, Cliff Dubose & Divine, Faith Howard, New Orleans Exchange and Bryant Jones & Chosen.
- Walgreen's Day Stage on Sunday features The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Men of Excellence, The Nelson Larkin Group, The Inspirational Souls, The Stars of Heaven, The Church Boyz, The Douglas Singers and The Selvy Singers of Arkansas.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion Offers Dynamic Evenings of Gospel Starting at 5:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Friday featuresThe Rance Allen Group, G3- God Gets the Glory, Walt Whitmand & The Soul Children of Chicago, Canton Jones and Percy Bady presents "Gospel's Next Showcase."
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Saturday features The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joshua's Troop, Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion, Marvin Sapp and Fred Nelson III presents "An Evening of Gospel Elegance."
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Sunday features The Clark Sisters, Apostolic Church of God Children's Choir, Wexter Walker & The Zion Movement, Rev. Dr. Lucuis Hall presents "A Touch of Chicago's Gospel Pioneers/Legends," Bishop Neal Roberson, Lady Tramaine Hawkins and Percy Gray presents "A Tribute to the Queen of Gospel."
- Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Gospel Youth Tent features open microphone opportunities, Gospel Steppers, Youth Choirs, Drum Lines, Gospel Drill Teams and Gospel Rap.
- Gospel Art Fairis held on the North Promenade.
Admission to the City of Chicago Gospel Festival is Free
City of Chicago Gospel Festival Sponsors include Walgreen's, State Farm Insurance, Chicago Tribune, Pepsi, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, WGN, CLTV, Best Buy, LaGrou Distribution System, Hinckley Springs, CTA, Inspiration 1390 AM, Chicago Defender and Communications Direct Inc.
Navy Pier Fireworks
Dazzling pyrotechnics show at 10:15 pm on Saturday night is held at Navy Pier on the Lake Michigan Lake front. There are fireworks shows from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Wednesday and Saturday nights. As the Saturday night Gospel Festival comes to a close get a clear view of the sky and enjoy the fireworks show.
The city of Chicago encourages the use of public transportation when attending events in the city. Metra trains offer transportation from the suburbs to the city. CTA buses provides transportation withing the city. Schedules can be found on the CTA website.
For music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, see Summerfest Music Fest Milwaukee WI
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