Gospel Music Machine (CIUT 89.5FM) will present Toronto Gospel Music Festival from Friday, April 9 to Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the McVety Auditorium, Canada Christian College, 50 Gervais Drive, Toronto in celebration of its 23rd anniversary. This two-day celebration of Gospel music will feature many of Toronto’s gospel groups throughout Ontario including choirs, groups and solo performers.
On Friday, April 9th at 7:30 p.m., the weekend will kick-off with a double live recording concert with two of Toronto’s finest gospel sisters - - Amoy Levy and Celestine McPherson. Toronto’s own dynamic rising gospel star Celestine McPherson serves as a member of the Kingsway Community Life Centre, under the leadership of Pastor Richard Brown. Over the years, she has sung in many church and community choirs. Today, Celestine is one of Toronto’s finest worship leader and is known as the songbird of Toronto. Celestine is all about worshipping God and she takes praise and worship to a whole new level.
Amoy Levy is a Canadian born singer and songwriter and is one of Toronto’s beloved vocalist and most inspiring gospel singer with powerful vocals. A member of Rhema Christian Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Orim Meikle, she has shared the stage with several Grammy Award winning artists including Kirk Franklin, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Cochrane and Celine Dion. Amoy has a new and exciting voice for the millennium and her musical ministry shines through each song she sings that will leave listeners wanting to hear more. The night is expected to be a phenomenal affair of amazing worship and crazy praise captured live at the McVety Auditorium. This is sure to be an awesome experience. Admission is $20.00
Then on Saturday, April 10th, the gospel music weekend festival will conclude with a Remembering Haiti – Unity Creates Strength concert, starting at 7:00 p.m. This benefit concert will reach across musical genres, including some of Toronto’s most influential and vibrant gospel artists from Hip Hop, Reggae, Rap, Contemporary, R&B, Traditional to poetry and dance, to raise money for the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. Confirmed talent includes: recording artists Paul McKay, reggae artist Jermaine Cowan, singer/songwriter Nevon Sinclair, rapper Ryan “Nevahurd” Daley, Gospel Choirs Divine Worship and Cheryl James and Voices of Worship, Gospel R&B groups Vibe and LYNC, worship dancer Sheldon and many, many more. Special guest includes Marvia Providence. Marvia is soulful, inspiring vocalist, heavily influenced by Caribbean and traditional sounds of Southern gospel. She is a Maja Award, Marlin Award and Canadian Gospel Reggae Award recipient. Marvia has travelled throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada and has shared the stage with various renowned international recording artists including Papa San and Paula White. This will be a FREE event, but a goodwill offering will be collected with all proceeds going to Haiti through World Vision and the Canadian Red Cross.
“I saw the need to have us come together during this weekend long event for this tragedy that has affected our brothers and sisters in Haiti, so I encourage people of all faiths to attend and support this benefit concert and enjoy the soaring sounds and joyous expressions of music and dance”, says Courtney Williams, Producer and Co-Host of the Gospel Music Machine.”
In addition to the two nights of gospel music, the Toronto Gospel Music Festival will include a Gospel Music Information Expo on Saturday, April 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to educate gospel artists and aspiring artists about the gospel music business in terms of funding, advertising and promotion, and recording. The format for the information expo will be roundtable discussions with some of Ontario’s most experienced and radio personalities, funding agencies, promoters and producers. Cost is $10.00.
Founded in 1987, the Gospel Music Machine is not only Ontario’s premier gospel music radio program in Southern Ontario, but also the longest running which has changed the landscape of gospel music in Canada. Every Sunday morning on CIUT 89.5 FM from 6:00-9:00 a.m., we bring the best in gospel music to as many people as possible. While primarily a music program, we also conduct gospel artists interviews and feature Daybreak which is the Word brought alive to encourage listeners everywhere.
This is a can’t miss weekend long events so get your tickets at www.ticketweb.ca. 1-888-222-6608
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For more information, photos, CDs, mp3s, interviews, please contact:
Courtney Williams at 905-846-0608 or email gospelmusicmachine@gmail.com , courtney.clive@gmail.com, togospel@gmail.com
WHO: Celestine McPherson - Amoy Levy
WHAT: T.O. Gospel Music Festival
WHERE: Canada Christian College, 50 Gervais Drive, Toronto
WHEN: Friday, April 9 to Saturday, April 10, 2010
WEBSITES: www.gospelmusicmachine.com / www.broadcastgospel.com /
Admission $20 @ticketweb.ca -1-888-222-6608 - 905-846-0608
