Donald Malloy will be a part of the Friday night kick-off of the three-day Gospel Festival slated for May 2-4 at the Elpizo Center in north Nashville. The public is invited to attend beginning at 6:30 pm.
Premier entertainment will begin after Lonnell Matthews, district councilman, invites the neighborhood (and community) for an official welcome that is ‘good for our community.’ Other elected officials are expected to offer welcomes that are ‘good for our state,’ ‘good for our nation’ and ‘good for our economy.’
Local choirs, praise dancers, and Donald Malloy will highlight Friday evening.
At 10 am, Saturday morning, Lonnell Matthews, district councilman, will open the festival by hosting a neighborhood meeting. The remainder of the day will be filled with great entertainment, a gospel game show, new artists, gospel quartets, magicians, comedians and a play.
Featured artists Lejuene Thompson and Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis will be in concert during the evening.
Donald Malloy, noted for ‘I Know What Prayer Can Do,’ first drew national recognition for recording his signature hits, ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ (with the New Jersey Mass Choir) and many others that are still in rotation. He has appeared on local, regional and national television tapings including GMWA Excellence Awards and the Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion.
Lejuene Thompson’s first CD in 2001 was Soul Inspiration an impactful and spirit-stirring debut album. LeJuene received numerous Dove and Stellar Award nominations. She is known for her worship in ballads, neo-soul grooves and contemporary gospel music praise.
Vincent Tharpe received the inspiration to launch his own group when he was the director of the Voices of Harambee, a gospel choir at Craigmont High School in Memphis. He took the word Kenosis from Philippians 2:5-8 (a Biblical scripture) in which Jesus Christ emptied himself of his divine attributes in order to identify with mankind. The group has recorded indie CDs and won a Rhythm of Gospel Award as New Artist of the Year in 2010. Thus, Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis are continually climbing the charts.
The entire family is invited to share food, inflatables, vendors, comedians, magicians, plays, great gospel music from local and national artists and much, much more this three-day event.
Additional entertainment includes: Kiaros Ministries; Word Of Life Praise Team; Greater Love Kingdom; NYU Testament; Donald Malloy; Lil’ Roy and the Revelations; Gospel Game Show; comedian Willie Ruth Johnson; The Joy Boyz; Sewanee Trumpeteers; LaShaunda Evans; Comedian Femi; Keesha Rainey; Barry Scott (the play, The Missing Link); Kenny Dozier (the play, Sanctified); Easy First Sunday with Chris Bond and more.
