Celebration of Life

Celebration of Life gets better and bigger and better still. In aid of their anti-violence campaign, Revival, the Metropolitan Black Police Association once again brings an amazing array of music and entertainment to the Royal Festival Hall in the form of Muyiwa & Riversongz, Felix Dexter, Ballet Black and much more.

The MetBPA’s ‘Revival’ initiative works directly with London communities to address and reduce violent crime, particularly amongst young people. A brilliantly entertaining and varied event that unites music, performance and comedy, it guarantees a lively and fun-packed evening for all ages and audiences.

Headlining this year’s event is the spectacular Muyiwa & Riversongz, whose uplifting and inspiring music combines gospel with the vibrant rhythms of AfroBeat as well as modern grooves from the worlds of soul, R&B and pop, as showcased on his new album, Declaring His Name All Around The World. Widely respected as one of the international gospel scene’s true heavyweights, Muyiwa’s thrilling fusion of global sounds has attracted a massive mainstream following.

Reprising their hugely popular role from previous years, The Lifeforce Band promise a sensational opening-half with special guests Sharlene Hector and Sandra Cross, both wonderful vocalists with an enviable pedigree behind them: Sandra is the queen of lover’s rock, having been voted “Britain’s Best Female Reggae Singer” for six consecutive years between 1986 - 1991 by BBC listeners, while Sharlene is one of the UK's top soul, gospel and blues singers, who many may recognise from the worldwide Coca-Cola commercial singing I Wish (I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free).

Also performing will be east London youth choir Solid Harmony. At their full strength they boast more than 30 members ranging in age from 10 to 25, and represent the cream of young London talent as well as a shining example of the positive, creative output being generated by the city’s youth.

As well as the musical feast on offer, this year’s Celebration of Life features a special performance from Ballet Black, the country’s foremost ballet company for black and Asian dancers, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Comedian Felix Dexter, widely known for his hilarious contributions to BBC 2’s The Fast Show, provides the laughs. He recently appeared on stage alongside Christian Slater in the West End production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

Celebration of Life concert is on Fri 14 Oct at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London SE1. 7.30pm. Adm: £10, £15, £20, plus bkg fee. Info: 0844 847 9910 / www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Donnie McClurkin headlines Gospel Fest

Gospel lovers are in for a treat if able to get to Atlanta for the Atlanta Gospel Fest Music Health & Wellness Festival.

Three-day festival is a musical extravaganza designed to elevate the spirits while educating the mind, body and soul.

The featured artist this year is Pastor Donnie McClurkin, who alone could fill the venue. With an array of gospel music concerts, a series gospel music industry workshops and panels, wealth & finance empowerment segments and a multitude of free health care services for the entire family.

There's a collection of Choir Competition, Praise Dance Workshop Competition, Girls Boot Camp, Women's leadership luncheon, lectures, workshops and more to acknowledging an historic woman in Leadership & the Gospel Industry whom have already made positive influences in the fight to save the purify young women.

With something for everyone the festival is designed to give direction and focus to the new uprising in the contemporary Christian and Gospel music throughout the state of Georgia and around the world. Focusing on all gospel genres expect to enjoy drama, dance and poetry.

Centrally located where you can see the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Inside CNN Atlanta, The Children's Museum of Atlanta, all circling Centennial Olympic Park. You'll see Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Stone Mountain Park. Find famous Atlantans at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Margaret Mitchell House and Jimmy Carter Library & Museum.

The success and growth of Gospel Fest 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the past 4 years has been tremendous. Each year our goal is to improve and elevate the presence of the Gospel Music in today's ever changing world of diversity, economics and family value, therefore everyone should be excited about the 6th Annual Festival.

Along with the entertainment the Leading Women's Repertory Theatre /The Atlanta Gospelfest Music Health & Wellness committee and a host of child volunteer advocates have chosen Wellspring Living to be recognized and awarded for the success and continuous drive to increase the awareness of child prostitution/slavery to our young women and we welcome it's initiative at our 6th annual luncheon in addition to acknowledging an historic woman in Leadership & the Gospel Industry whom have already made positive influences in the fight to save the purify our young women.

This year's Gospelfest will be held he beautiful Georgia World Congress Center 285 Andrew Young Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia from Friday July 15th, Saturday July 16th & Sunday July 17th, 2011. For more info visit: www.atlantagospelfest.com.

Please check back later.