26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival, June 5 - 6th
Provided By: Cindy Gatziolis The Mayor's Office of Special Events312-744-3315For Immediate Release March 15, 2010
Media Contacts: Cindy Gatziolis 312.744.0573
New Look, Familiar Faces, Same Great Tradition
26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival, June 5 & 6 in Millennium Park
For a quarter of a century, the City of Chicago has proudly presented the Chicago Gospel Music Festival,
exalting a musical genre that truly came alive in the city. This great tradition continues on June 5 and 6
in glorious Millennium Park.
With a slightly new look, the 26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival will feature familiar headliners
that event audiences haven’t seen for awhile including Sunday evening’s finale at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion,
multi-Stellar and Dove winner, Fred Hammond. Hammond’s 2008 Free to Worship earned a Grammy Award® for Best
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.
Another returnee who last performed at the festival in 2004 is Dr. Ricky Dillard and the New Generation
Chorale aka NEW G. 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, 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.
Music, as usual, will start much earlier in the day at the Inspiration Youth Stage now located on the south
promenade, just steps away from the Crown Fountain.
The Walgreens Day Stage has also been moved to the 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 will also add a valuable element to the event when the National Urban League and Walgreen’s
Wellness Tour stops at the 26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival. The Wellness Campaign features a
40-foot health 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.
For more information on the Gospel Music Festival and updates on performers, call the Mayor's Office of Special Events (312) 744-3315, TTY (312) 744-2964 or visit www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. For help in planning your trip to Chicago visit www.explorechicago.org. Become a fan of the Chicago Gospel Music Festival on Facebook and follow our updates on Twitter (twitter.com/marylmay).
