CONTACTS:āÆMadeline Long, Madeline.Long@cityofchicago.org āÆĀ
DCASE Communications, DCASE@cityofchicago.orgĀ
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Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce Lineup for theĀ
2024 Chicago Gospel Music FestivalĀ
Saturday, June 1 in Millennium ParkĀ Ā
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Three-time GRAMMYĀ® winners The Clark Sisters,Ā Ā
Todd Dulaney, Anita Wilson, and Chandler MooreĀ Ā
to Headline FestivalāKicking Off Parkās 20th Anniversary SeasonĀ Ā
Ā Pictured (L to R): Todd Dulaney, Anita Wilson, Chandler Moore, and the legendary Clark SistersĀ
Ā Ā Ā to headline for 2024 Chicago Gospel Music FestivalĀ
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CHICAGOāToday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the lineup for the 2024 Chicago Gospel Music Festivalāthe first festival to kick-off Millennium Parkās milestone 20th Anniversary Season. Taking place Saturday, June 1 from 4-9pm on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage, the 2024 headliners include the three-time GRAMMYĀ® winning, highest-selling female gospel group in history, The Clark Sisters; Chicagoās own award-winning singer/songwriter Todd Dulaney; GRAMMYĀ® winning singer/songwriter, Chandler Moore, widely recognized for his collaboration with the contemporary gospel group, Maverick City Music; and three-time GRAMMYĀ® Nominated Global Recording Artist Anita Wilson. Hosted by iHeartMedia Chicagoās Inspiration 1390ās Sonya Blakey, DeAndre Patterson and VaShawn Mitchell, the festival also showcases rising star Lena Byrd Miles and brings audiences to their feet with Choir Nation: A tribute to Chicago Church Choirs.Ā Ā
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āThe Chicago Gospel Music Festival embodies the Soul of Chicago. The origins of gospel music can be traced right back here to our great city and its deep roots continue to stretch out and transform lives around the world,āāÆMayor Brandon JohnsonāÆsaid. āI look forward to the extraordinary talent set to grace the stage this year and invite everyone to convene in Millennium Park to experience this long-standing musical tradition in all its joy and power.āāÆĀ
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āThe Chicago Gospel Music Festival is an inspirational, family-friendly event and the perfect way to begin Millennium Parkās 20th Anniversary Season,ā shared DCASE Commissioner ClinĆ©e Hedspeth. āCelebrating a musical genre born in our great city more than 80 years ago, the DCASE team has assembled an all-star lineup for this first of many unforgettable events in Millennium Park this summer.āĀ Ā
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2024 Chicago Gospel Music Festival ScheduleĀ
Saturday, June 1, 2024Ā
4-9pmĀ
Jay Pritzker PavilionĀ
Hosted by Sonya Blakey, DeAndre Patterson and VaShawn MitchellĀ
Schedule subject to changeĀ Ā
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4pm Inspiration 1390 Takeover: Lena Byrd Miles, Bishop Brandon Jacobs & New Zion Temple Choir, and Exalted of Chicago.āÆĀ
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5pm Choir Nation: A tribute to Chicago Church ChoirsĀ Ā
First Corinthian Voices of VictoryĀ
Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer ChoirĀ
Fellowship ChicagoĀ
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6pm Todd DulaneyĀ Ā
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7pm Anita WilsonĀ
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Chandler MooreĀ Ā
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8pm The Clark SistersĀ
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āiHeartMedia Chicago's Inspiration 1390 is proud to partner with the Chicago Gospel Music Festival every year,ā said Sonya Blakey, Inspiration 1390 Program Director and Morning Show Host. āIt is a joy to celebrate gospel musicās rich history and legacy in our city.Ā Chicagoans come together like one big choir to sing, be uplifted and inspired by the power of gospel music.āĀ
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The Chicago Gospel Music Festival is free. Visit ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us for more information and to plan your visit. Sign up for the DCASE Newsletter or follow on Facebook for the latest updates.Ā Ā
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The Chicago Gospel Music Festival is sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages, with promotional partner Inspiration 1390.Ā Ā
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Artist BiosĀ Ā
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The Clark SistersĀ Ā
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered as pioneers of contemporary gospel. Their biggest crossover hits include: āIs My Living in Vain?,ā āHallelujah,ā āHe Gave Me Nothing to Loseā, āEndow Meā, their hit song āJesus Is A Love Song,ā āPure Gold,ā āExpect a Miracle,ā and their largest mainstream crossover gold certified, āYou Brought the Sunshine.ā The Clark Sisters have won three Grammy Awards. With 16 albums to their credit and millions in sales, the Clark Sisters are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.Ā
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Todd DulaneyĀ Ā
GRAMMYĀ® nominated singer/songwriter Todd Dulaney hails from Chicago, Ill. Dulaney is a Stellar Award Winner and has also been nominated for the Billboard Music Awards, Dove Awards, and a 2017 Grammy nomination for Album of The Year. Dulaney won Praise and Worship Album of the Year for āYour Great Nameā at the 2019 Stellar Awards. His sophomore album and its debut single, āThe Anthem,ā both went to #1 on the Billboard charts, resulting in Dulaney being named Billboard's New Gospel Artist of the Year in 2016. His powerful single, āYouāre Doing It All Againā yielded Dulaney yet another number one single at Gospel radio in ā019. āBack to The Bookā debuted with six positions on the Billboard chart after its first week of release, and the lead single āPsalms 18ā hit number one with Billboard Gospel Airplay and Mediabase Gospel Airplay amassing more than five million streams.Ā Ā
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Chandler MooreĀ Ā
Chandler Moore is a GRAMMYĀ® award-winning singer, songwriter, and worship leader. He is widely recognized for his collaboration with Maverick City Music. Chandler has challenged the unspoken norms within the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and Gospel spheres. He has collaborated with some of todayās prolific artists from Kirk Franklin to Justin Bieber. His story telling approach to music and passionate live performances has captivated audiences worldwide.Ā Ā
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Anita WilsonĀ Ā
With a timeless presence, distinctive vocal style, and down-to-earth humility, singer, songwriter, and producer, Ms. Anita Wilson stands out among contemporary artists. After a remarkable decade singing with Donald Lawrence & Company, she emerged as a solo recording artist in 2011, captivating audiences with her soulful ballad āSpeechless.ā Her debut album āWorship Soulā (2013), sophomore release "Vintage Worship" (2015), and third album "Sunday Song" all earned GRAMMY nominations for Best Gospel Album, establishing her as a timeless force in the industry. In 2020, Anita's Dance Soul remix EP debuted at #8 on the Dance Music Charts, showcasing her versatility and innovation. Her latest album, "Soul Sister," featuring soul-stirring collaborations with artists like Faith Evans and B-Slade, is available on all digital platforms, with new projects scheduled for 2024 and beyond. Ms. Anita Wilson's impact extends beyond her music, as she is also the Founder and CEO of her independent record label, Reflection Media, Inc., giving her complete ownership of her acclaimed albums and content.Ā Ā
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Choir Nation: A tribute to Chicago Church ChoirsĀ Ā
Featuring acclaimed local choirs performing on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage: Angela Spivey and the First Corinthian Voices of Victory; Pastor Derail Smith and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir; and Pastor Reginald W. Sharpe II and Fellowship Chicago.Ā Ā
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Inspiration 1390 Takeover: Lena Byrd MilesĀ Ā
Lena Byrd Miles, Stellar Award winner, Billboard #1 My Block Inc. artist, and the darling of the Oakland Bay Area has been singing since the age of four. Coming from a musical family, she launched her singing career at her Grandfather's Church where she faithfully lent her gift. More than an artist, Lena is a wife, daughter, sister, and friend with a unique ability to connect with people. Her innate comedic prowess and infectious laugh draws you in, but her compassion for mankind will cause you to appreciate her heart.Ā Ā
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Millennium Park 20th Anniversary SeasonĀ
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Celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary season,āÆMillennium ParkāÆdelivers a world-class collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provides the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, interactive art and family activities. Millennium Park is a spectacular gathering spot located in the heart of the city, a destination for all Chicagoans and visitors alike.āÆIn addition to the more than 80 free events to be presented throughout the summer, a special four-dayāÆ20th Anniversary CelebrationāÆwill take place July 18-21 across the ParkāÆfeaturing award-winning headliners, activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, concerts,āÆand fireworksāÆā presented by DCASE with the Grant Park Music Festival, Millennium Park Foundation, and others.āÆĀ
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Millennium Park is the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top 10 most-visited sites in the U.S. Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Plan your visit. follow us on Facebook (@MillenniumParkChicago), Twitter and Instagram (@Millennium_Park); and join the conversation on social media using #MillenniumPark.Ā
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Save the dates for these additional DCASE music festivals; as well as the complete Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Summer Season, including Summer Workouts, Summer Film and Music Series, and more; details to be announced in the coming weeks:Ā Ā
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- Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Great Lawn): Tuesdays, July 16 ā August 20, https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
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- Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): select Mondays & Thursdays, July 1 ā August 8,
Ā https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
- Chicago Jazz FestivalāÆ(citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday ā Sunday, August 29 ā September 1),āÆĀ āÆandāÆChicagoJazzFestival.usĀ
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- World Music Festival ChicagoāÆ(citywide): Friday, September 20 ā Sunday, September 29,āÆWorldMusicFestivalChicago.orgĀ Ā
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- For more information about City-funded āChicago Presentsā community events and other City-permitted neighborhood festivals and special events, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE. For Grant Park Music Festival information, visit GPMF.org.Ā
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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special EventsĀ
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The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicagoās 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city ā to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the cityās most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city ā serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.Ā
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iHeartMedia ChicagoĀ
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iHeartMedia Chicago owns and operates WCHI-FM, WLIT-FM, WKSC-FM, WVAZ-FM, WGCI-FM, WGRB-AM and WMFN-AM, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month. iHeartāsāÆbroadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabledāÆreach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisherāÆaccording to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next four podcast publishers combined, and has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.comāÆfor more company information.Ā
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