[NEohioPAL]Gospel Fest a divinely inspired event at Lock 3 Live! in Akron on June 12

[reynolds,victoria]

Dear NEOHIOPAL Subscribers ~=20

Last summer, more than 50,000 people experienced an abundance of
concerts and events at the new Lock 3 Live! park and FirstEnergy Stage,
located on Main Street next to Akron Civic Theatre. This year, the
open-air arts and entertainment venue will rock downtown Akron with 15
fun-themed festivals. Sponsored by KeyBank, the events will take place
every Saturday between June 12 to September 25 at Lock 3 Live! park.

Offering food, fun and entertainment for folks of all ages and
interests, the festivals include a surfer/beach party, a children's
festival, events celebrating the '50s, Woodstock, British Invasion, and
classic Americana, Cajun and Irish fests, polka, swing, jazz, and gospel
fests, and more. Relevant to the theme, each festival incorporates
contests and activities, food specialties, and concerts with celebrity
headliners and top national and regional talent.

Opening the summer season at Lock 3 Live! and FirstEnergy Stage, the 2nd
Annual Gospel Festival is a divinely inspired event, taking place from 4
p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

Whether backed by large choirs or small quartets, gospel music is
typically thought of as an African-American vocal style celebrating
Christian teachings. But through the years, gospel music actually
influenced various musical genres including rock, pop and R&B.
Sub-genres such as contemporary Christian music (soft rock and
mainstream pop), blues gospel, gospel country - even rap and hip-hop
gospel - have also made a mark on mainstream commercial radio charts.=20

Whatever the style, the rich history of gospel resonates in the music,
and the intrinsic message stirs the soul. With that in mind, gospel
music will move the masses during the 2nd annual Gospel Festival.
Similar to last summer's exceptionally popular event, the festival is
free. This year, the national headliner is Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Regional talent includes Kenny Eldridge, Prayer Warriors, Divine Hope,
Men in Praise, Agape, Mutual Gifts, Buchtel High School Gospel Choir,
and Brandon Hollis.

Esteemed as trendsetters and one of the greatest gospel groups ever,
Mighty Clouds of Joy was one of the first quartets to incorporate
choreography into their act, and the first to add bass, drums and
keyboards to the traditional quartet accompaniment of solo electric
guitar. To date, they have won three of 10 Grammy Award nominations.=20

With several recordings to his credit, Youngstown native Kenny Eldridge
is an emerging gospel artist gaining national recognition. Eldridge has
made appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Black Entertainment
Television, and his videos "So Wonderful" and "Excited" have aired on
Video Gospel.

Known throughout the region for incorporating an "inspirational groove"
in all they do, Prayer Warriors is a performance choir with a repertoire
ranging from standard gospel melodies to songs by Rod Stewart, Tina
Turner, Bob Marley and beyond.

Affiliated with the Arlington Church of God, Divine Hope is a 12-member
group that uses gospel music to spread a message of uncompromising hope.
Their music features various styles including traditional, contemporary
and jazz inflected gospel.

Men in Praise comprises several male voices from various gospel choirs
in Akron. Similarly, more than 40 churches in Lorain County are involved
in the 85-voice choir known as A.G.A.P.E. Youth Ministry. =20

Performing traditional and contemporary gospel, the Buchtel High School
Gospel Choir includes students and some alumni. Mutual Gifts is Medical
Mutual of Ohio's multi-generational, multi-racial in-house choir.=20

Aspiring to "touch lives one song at a time," young Brandon Hollis is an
up-an-coming gospel artist who won first place in "Showtime at the
Apollo" last year at Akron Civic Theatre.

Individually and collectively, these acts will deliver dynamic vocals,
rich harmonies, flawless instrumentation and rhythmic presentation.
Various churches will participate as festival exhibitors. Religious
items will be available for sale. And the usual festival fare will also
include ethnic specialties.=20

There is no admission charge to the 2nd Annual Gospel Fest, which runs
from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.=20

NOTE: Due to popular demand, WKSU's Homegrown Saturday Mornin' at Lock 3
Live! has been expanded this season. Homegrown provides the perfect
outdoor setting in which to shop, experience and enjoy, every Saturday
(except July 3) between 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. When the Homegrown vendors
close shop at 2 p.m., folks can stick around town or come back later for
the festival.

Free parking is available in the O'Neil's Deck (entrance off State
Street), Cascade Parking Deck (enter from Quaker Street) and Landmark
Deck (entrance off Bowery Street). Paid parking is available in the
Summit County Parking Deck (entrance off High Street).

For more information about the 2nd Annual Gospel Festival at Lock 3
Live! and FirstEnergy Stage on June 12, contact Seth Keyes at (330)
535-3179. For event information and updates, visit www.lock3live.com, or
call the Civic Theatre Info Line at 330.535.3178.

#   #   #

Lock 3 Live! was founded by the City of Akron and Akron Civic Theatre.
Major sponsors include FirstEnergy and KeyBank, with special thanks to
media sponsor Akron Beacon Journal, and supporters including Akron
Canton Food Bank, CocaCola, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association,
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Montrose Ford, Montrose Toyota, and WKSU
89.7.