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 on Friday, May 2 at Manna From Heaven, 3510 West Hamilton Ave.
Premier entertainment will begin following Lonnell Matthews, district councilman, inviting 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, 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.
The events will culminate on Sunday with a morning worship service at 9:45 am; a Sunday brunch at 1 pm; the gospel play, The Missing Link, at 3 pm; and the finale ‘Easy First Sunday’ hosted by Chris Bond with entertainment by Femi, the comedian, and gospel entertainer Kim Edmonds.
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 the spirit-stirring album Soul Inspiration. 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 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: Kairos Ministries; Word Of Life Praise Team; Greater Love Kingdom; NYU Testament; Donald Malloy; Lil’ Roy and the Revelations; Gospel Game Show; The Joy Boyz; Sewanee Trumpeteers; LaShaunda Evans; Comedian Femi; Keesha Rainey; Barry Scott (the play, The Missing Link); Kenny Dozier (the play, Sanctified); and more.
For vendor and ticket information call 615-299-8097.
Manna From Heaven presents ‘Gospel Music Festival’ Schedule
Friday May 2
6:30 pm
Welcome to Gospel Music Festival 2014
7–9 pm
Introduction of Friday evening host and lineup — Howard Young/Connie Dennell
• Gospel Music
• Word of Life Praise Team
• Greater Love Kingdom
• NYU Testament
• Kairos Kreative Ministries Praise Dance Team
• Gospel Concert
• Donald Malloy
• Roy and Revelation
Saturday May 3
10 am
Town Hall Meeting hosted by District One Councilman Lonnell Matthews
• Mother Bessie/Evangelist Revisits
11 am
Gospel Game Show at Manna From Heaven hosted by Rev. Sam Kirk
Noon
Open and set up time
2 pm
Gospel Comedy Hour hosted by Darryl Frierson
• Guest soloist Reggie Sconiers
• Kim Edmonds (Gospel entertainer)
• Femi The Entertainer(Gospel comedian)
3:15 pm
Gospel quartets and rising stars
• Aubrey Gent
• Joy Boyz
• Sewanee Trumpeteers
• Keesha Rainey
4:30 pm
New Artist Hour hosted by Damon King
• Charles Walker
• Reggie Sconiers
• Gerald Dixon
• LaShaunda Evans
6 pm
Gospel play Sanctified directed by Kenny Dozier
8 pm
Gospel Concert
• LeJuene Thompson
• Brian Poppin
• Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis
Sunday May 4
9:45 am LHM church service
• Gerald Dixon
• Reggie Sconiers
1 pm Sunday Brunch at Gospel Music Festival
3 pm Gospel play – hosted by Chris Bond
• The Missing Link directed by Barry Scott
6 pm
Easy First Sunday with Chris Bond
• Kim Edmonds
• Femi The Comedian
