2016 Gospel Fest set for February 27 in Camden

Annual Gospel Fest and Heritage Tea Scheduled to Return to the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County

CAMDEN, SC – The Multi-Cultural Committee of the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (FAC) announces plans for the annual Gospel Fest and Heritage Tea — a part of its celebration of Black History Month. The Gospel Fest will take place Saturday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. All tickets are $5. The annual Heritage Tea Celebration will be held Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. Both events will be held in the Wood Auditorium and will be emceed by Chandra Richardson, a multi-cultural committee member and teacher at Leslie M. Stover Middle School. Following the Heritage Tea program, a reception will be held at the Douglas-Reed House where the student artwork is displayed. The Heritage Tea is free and open to the public.

This year, both the Gospel Fest and Heritage Tea programs will be dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragedy at the Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston (SC.) A tribute will be made by Senator Vincent Sheheen during the Heritage Tea program.

The FAC’s Multi-Cultural Committee puts together these special annual programs that celebrate the spirit of community, with a special emphasis on Black History Month. Committee members include: Dionne Hough, Mary Ellen Jordan, Timothy Hopkins, Rose Sheheen, Keith Tolen, Elizabeth Robinson, Ann Davis, Pamela Whitehead, Elena S. Gaston, Cassandra Mickle, Debra Edwards, James Frederick, M. Phyllis Harris, Kristin Cobb, Claude Eichelberger, Denise Blanding, Theresa Alexander, Linda Shaylor, Ernest Witherspoon, Mollye Robinson, Kevin Little, Ella Hood, Lola Houston, Mary Jones, Chandra Richardson, Bill Rozier, Kimberly Little, Bobbie Daniels, Connie Davis Rouse, Otis Drakeford, and Mary Kay Olive. Sponsorship of this weekend’s celebration is provided by the Piggly Wiggly of Camden.

• About The Gospel Fest, Saturday, February 27, 6:00 p.m.
In its 11th year, The Gospel Fest will celebrate “community unity” with the singing of several local gospel choirs. The invocation will be given by Paston Brian Wieneke and the choirs will sing various genres of gospel music representing many styles. At the end of the evening, the audience will be encouraged to participate in a group song with the choirs. Scheduled to appear this year are:
• Christian Musicians’ Guild—Dionne Hough, director
• Bethel Worship Center—Brian Wieneke, director
• Camden First UMC—Tim Walters, director
• Abundant Life Fellowship Church— Sam Dennis, director
• Catoe’s Chapel COGIC—James Caldwell, director
• Good Hope-Wesley Chapel UMC—Stephen Gilchrist, director

• About the Heritage Tea and Performances, Sunday, February 28, 3:00 pm
For more than 20 years, the Fine Arts Center’s Multi-Cultural Committee has hosted an annual Heritage Tea to celebrate diversity and showcase the myriad talents of local residents and county youth. In addition to performances on stage, prizes and awards will also be presented to students whose art projects are on display in the Douglas-Reed House.

This year’s emcee for the Heritage Tea is Chandra Richardson and the invocation will be made by Reverend Larry D. McCutcheon, Pastor of Camden First United Methodist Church. Entertainment will be provided by the Camden High School Gospel Choir. Other participants include Dr. Connie Long Graham, Dr. Frank Morgan, Tim Hopkins, Kristin Cobb, Ann Davis, Senator Vincent Sheheen, Dr. Lola Houston, and Dionne Hough.

• About the Student Work on Display
Much of what we think of as American art has been introduced or influenced by African American artists through musical genres such as blues, jazz, ragtime, rock and roll, and gospel music. The influence of African American artists is also evident when you think of the popular dances, poetry, and literary contributions of writers such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Rita Dove. The names of these distinguished Americans are synonymous not just with great African-American historical contributions, but also with American and worldly contributions to the arts. When students research and write about African American artists like these, the skills learned help reinforce South Carolina Academic Standards that will benefit them throughout their school careers by integrating social studies, language arts, science, music, technology, and the visual arts.

For much of the last month, students in Kershaw County’s grades three through eight have worked on projects that focus on Africans or African Americans, past or present, who have made an impact on culture and history. Each school has selected the winning pieces to be displayed in the historic Douglas-Reed House at the Fine Arts Center during this special weekend.

Awards for first through third place in grades 3-8 will be awarded. Past projects have ranged from reports with paintings to portfolios, mobiles, hand sculptures, and PowerPoint presentations. All Kershaw County schools were invited to be a part of this celebration.

For more information or to purchase tickets call 803-425-7676, extension 300 or visit the FAC website at www.fineartscenter.org. The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County is located at 810 Lyttleton Street in Camden. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Thursday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

The Fine Arts Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is funded in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by the City of Camden, Kershaw County, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina along with donations from businesses and individuals.

Image by Elizabeth Robinson