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Celebrating the music style\u2019s deep Chicago roots with traditional choirs and contemporary urban gospel music, the free admission festival features local and national artists June 2-3 at the Chicago Cultural Center and in Millennium Park<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \n The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is pleased to announce the full lineup for the 32nd Chicago Gospel Music Festival. The free admission festival happening June 2\u2013<\/em><\/strong>3 in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center will include the following headliners: The Rance Allen Group, Jonathan McReynolds with special guests Anthony Brown & Travis Greene, Vashawn Mitchell, Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, a Tribute to Jessy Dixon and many more.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Featuring local and national artists celebrating the genre\u2019s foundational roots in Chicago, the Gospel Music Festival will be held at the\u00a0Chicago Cultural Center<\/strong>\u00a0(78 E. Washington St.) from\u00a0noon to 4 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>and in\u00a0Millennium Park<\/strong>\u00a0from\u00a05:30 to 9:30 p.m<\/strong>. on\u00a0Friday, June 2,<\/strong>\u00a0and continue in\u00a0Millennium Park<\/strong>\u00a0(201 E. Randolph St.) onSaturday, June 3,<\/strong>\u00a0from\u00a011a.m. to 9:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Millennium Park Performances at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The festival\u2019s opening night in Millennium Park on\u00a0Friday, June 2,<\/strong>\u00a0at 5:30 p.m. will kick off with the contemporary gospel music choir,\u00a0Glenn Johnson & The Voices of Innerpeace<\/strong>. The Zeta Gospel Music Awards named their project\u00a0Greatness<\/em>\u00a0\u201cCD of the Year\u201d in 2016. The\u00a0University of Illinois Black Chorus<\/strong>, a large mixed voice vocal ensemble will follow at 6 p.m. Their repertoire of the music of black Americans includes: traditional gospel, jazz, soul, blues, African chant, field hollers and anthems. At 6:40 p.m.\u00a0Malcolm Williams & Great Faith<\/strong>, the Stellar Award-nominated gospel music group will take center stage. A festival highlight will feature a\u00a0Celebration of Gospel Music Quartets\u00a0<\/strong>with\u00a0Evelyn Turrentine-Agee<\/strong>\u00a0and The Warriors<\/strong>,\u00a0God\u2019s Posse<\/strong>,\u00a0The Gospel Crusaders<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0The Stars of Heaven<\/strong>\u00a0at 7:20 p.m.<\/p>\n Award-winning contemporary gospel music artists,\u00a0Jonathan McReynolds with special guests Anthony Brown and Travis Greene\u00a0<\/strong>will close the first evening in Millennium Park at 8:30 p.m. Acclaimed Dove and Stellar\u00a0Award<\/strong>-nominated recording artist\u00a0Jonathan McReynolds\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0album\u00a0Life Music: Stage Two<\/em>\u00a0was number on the Billboard Gospel Chart for four weeks in 2015, and his 2016\u00a0Sessions EP<\/em>\u00a0surprise release reached the top of the iTunes Christian chart in one night. Since 2012, singer-songwriter and arranger\u00a0Anthony Brown<\/strong>\u00a0has been performing with his group therAPy and has thrilled audiences with joyous spirit.\u00a0Travis Greene<\/strong>\u00a0appeared on the festival stage last year and is back with seven 2017 Stellar Awards including \u201cMale Vocalist\u201d and \u201cCD of the year\u201d for\u00a0The Hill<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Gospel Music Festival continues at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on\u00a0Saturday, June 3<\/strong>\u00a0at 4:30 p.m. with Chicago contemporary artist,\u00a0VaShawn Mitchell<\/strong>. Following his 2016 project, Secret Place<\/em>, which was recorded in South Africa, Mitchell will bring his universal sound to the festival stage. The groundbreaking artists,\u00a0The Rance Allen Group<\/strong>\u00a0perform at 6:15 p.m. For four decades, the group has inspired fans with their traditional gospel sound and message of unity.<\/p>\n Following at 7 p.m. is a special tribute to\u00a0Jessy Dixon<\/strong>.\u00a0 Singer and songwriter\u00a0Jessy Dixon\u00a0<\/strong>passed away in September, 2011 and during his career he brought his energetic style of gospel music to a wide audience. He is best known for his work with fellow music artist, Paul Simon. He collaborated with Simon on his\u00a0Live Rhymin\u2019 Simon<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Still Crazy<\/em>\u00a0albums.<\/p>\n Chicago Cultural Center Performances<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n On\u00a0Friday, June 2<\/strong>, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will open at the Chicago Cultural Center in Randolph Square (1st<\/sup>\u00a0floor north)) at noon until 4 p.m. Performers throughout the day include:\u00a0\u00a0Iliani Morales, Selah St. Sabina Youth Choir, R&R featuring Russ and Roe, Neicy Robertson & Friends, \u201cChicago\u2019s Next\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>featuring2ndNature Band, Isaiah Freeman, Jazmine Jones\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Denton Harris<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Arthur Sutton & The Gift of Praise<\/strong>. For a complete festival lineup, visitchicagogospelmusicfestival.us<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Chicago Gospel Music Festival Presents<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to the festival, Chicago Gospel Music Festival Presents will offer free gospel concerts and events around Chicago throughout the year.\u00a0 On\u00a0Wednesday, April 12<\/strong>, artists and industry participants are invited to attend the\u00a0ChicagoMade Music Collective: Gospel Music Edition.\u00a0<\/strong>A special gospel music version of the City of Chicago\u2019s music industry networking series featuring performances by\u00a0EJ Jackson<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Delagraentiss.\u00a0<\/strong>The event is being held at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center (825 N. Christiana St.), 6:30-8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Fans and artists are invited to get\u00a0Up Close & Personal Preview Concert and Conversation<\/strong>\u00a0Wednesday, May 4,<\/strong>\u00a0at 6:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center. In a conversation moderated by Fake Shore Drive\u2019s\u00a0Andrew Barber<\/strong>,\u00a0Catherine Brewton<\/strong>, BMI vice president, writer and publisher relations;\u00a0Lecrae<\/strong>, GRAMMY\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0Award-winning hip hop artist; and\u00a0Jonathan McReynolds\u00a0<\/strong>GRAMMY\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0Award-nominated \u201cfuture of gospel music\u201d artist, will discuss their dynamic careers and answer audience questions. The event, presented in partnership with The Recording Academy\u00ae\u00a0<\/sup>Chicago Chapter, will also feature performances by\u00a0Iliani Morales<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0R&R featuring Russ and Roe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Millennium Park Summer Music Series<\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Thursday, August 17<\/strong>, 6:30 p.m. will feature gospel music as part of the popular free concerts at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.\u00a0Joshua Nelson<\/strong>, the Prince of Kosher Gospel, will bring people and cultures together in joyous song with his combination of Jewish liturgical lyrics and Gospel music. Chicago gospel music artist,\u00a0Tone Ross & Inspired<\/strong>\u00a0will kick-off the evening\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n The Chicago Gospel Music Festival is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and is sponsored in part by Chicago Transit Authority, Inspiration 1390 AM, Sun Times, Chicago Reader and Communications Direct.<\/p>\n