The Gospel Academy Award-winning Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble is the featured performer at a Gospel Extravaganza 2005 at Sonoma State University at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb 25 in the Cooperage. Other performers include East Bay Anointed Voices and the Dance Theater of the Gospel. Reverend Turner of the Community Baptist Church of Santa Rosa hosts the program.
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, under the direction of Terrance Kelly, is a multiracial, interfaith group of 55 vocalists united in their love of gospel music with its message of hope, joy, unity and justice.
The Choir is a frequent guest in churches throughout Northern California, and is a popular headliner at event, benefiting community organizations. Their concerts have supported services for domestic violence, Alzheimer's Disease, children's homeless and AIDS agencies; health care for crack-addicted mothers and children; earthquake relief, scholarships, housing, and other areas of pressing human need.
The East Bay Anointed Voices (EBAV) is a multi-racial, inter-denominational outreach ministry. Under the direction of Donald Taylor and Rachelle Rogers-Ard, this dynamic ministry in blue performs original material that sets new standards for gospel music and inspires others to be diverse.
Dance Theater of the Gospel is a example of the ever-growing popular art form and ministry of "praise dance." The praise dance performed by the theater "fuses contemporary modern and African dance to express gratitude toward the creator," says Jetaun DeArman, lead choreographer and founder of the non-profit dance company. DTG moves beyond the cliched genres of spirituals and gospel music, often incorporating contemporary music ranging from Nina Simone to Curtis Mayfield.
Tickets for this event, which is sponsored by the Sonoma Student Union InterCultural Center, the Black Student Union, Associated Students of Sonoma State University and the Office of Residential Life, are available at the Sonoma Student Union. Admission is free for SSU students and $12 for general admission.
To purchase tickets, call the Sonoma Student Union front desk at (707) 664-2382.
