PHILADELPHIA, May 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Anticipation is high for the second year of Gospel Music at Penn's Landing. The Monday Night Gospel Celebration will take place during four Monday evenings in June - June 2, 9, 16 and 23 - from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, located at Spring Garden Street and Columbus Boulevard. This event that will feature the best in today's Gospel music and is free to the public by the generous support of Independence Blue Cross.
The series will kick off on Monday June 2nd with Philadelphia native Chris Graham and Family. Originally a member of "the Cousins", Chris has branched out and created his own group and continues to minister his unique soul-stirring style. Following Chris Graham, the headliner is Zachary Williams and Hype Praise, also from Philadelphia. Williams has written many songs for Gospel artists including " Be Glorified, That I May Know Him, and Praise Him" recorded by the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir.
Monday June 9th will feature Philadelphian Pastor Bruce Parham and Elements of Praise. Pastor Parham has become a Gospel legend in the Philadelphia recording industry with such psalmists as Elder Dana Powell and Vanessa Williams of the Richard Smallwood group, Vision. Bishop Ford and the Anointed Voices of the Ford Memorial Temple will also perform. Bishop Andrew J. Ford II has had a hand in lifting up many a Gospel artist to national attention over the decades. As the founder of Sweet Rain Records, he has worked with such notable artists as Hezekiah Walker and producer James Poyser, and he has featured his own resonant bass vocals on recordings with his choir, the Anointed Voices of Ford Memorial Temple.
Otis Joseph and Zamar also from Philadelphia will perform on Monday June 16th. Otis is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and is the founder and director of Zamar, based in Philadelphia. Otis Joseph and Zamar consists of 12 professional vocalists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland who have participated in over 200 Gospel Festivals in the tri-state area. The Tri-State Mass Choir will also perform on June 16th as they join their voices together in the uplifting harmony for which they have become renowned.
The series will conclude on Monday June 23rd with performances by Philadelphia's own up and coming Contemporary Gospel music artists Tony Moore and Jehovah's Chosen, who always deliver the word with innovative style and electrifying performances, and Dove Award and Stellar award nominees The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation. Hardeman penned "I Feel Good All Over" a Billboard #1 R&B hit for Stephanie Mills, and "Love Under New Management," a Billboard #2 R&B hit for Miki Howard. In 1983, the release of "Feels Like Fire" won the Gabriel Hardeman Delegation a Grammy nomination for best gospel single by a group or duo.
Penn's Landing has once again partnered with WDAS-AM, WDAS-FM, Power 99 to present this year's Monday Night Gospel Celebration. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2003 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. The Penn's Landing family of sponsors for the 2003 Summer Season also includes: Commerce Bank, US Airways, Pennsylvania Lottery, PECO Energy, and Deer Park Water.
Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on event locations and event details, call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com.
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