Arkansas Delta Family Gospel Festival is Saturday

Gospel Acts: Dorothy Norwood & The Canton Spirituals The festival, a Delta Cultural Center production, also features musical performances by national, regional, and local gospel acts with performances by Billy Rivers & The Angelic Voices of Faith, Daniel "Slick" Ballinger, Lemmie Battles, the Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds, Pastor Cedric Hayes and Gloryland Choir, The Selvy Singers, Angie Pretlow, The Mellowtones, and many more. For more information see http://www.deltaculturalcenter.com/calendar/

Norwood, one of contemporary gospel's legendary performers, is known around the world as "The Great Storyteller," having first grabbed wide-spread attention in the early 1960's with hits "Johnny and Jesus" and "Denied Mother." In more than 50 years as a performer she has recorded over 40 albums, earned numerous gold records, and received many accolades including six Grammy nominations. In 1972, she entered uncharted waters for most gospel entertainers, performing on a 30-state American tour with The Rolling Stones.

The Canton Spirituals endured changing times and membership since its 1943 origins inCanton, Mississippi to become one of gospel's most popular quartets. The group's acclaimed albums include the Grammy-nominated "Live In Memphis."

Billy Rivers & The Angelic Voices of Faith soon celebrate their 30th anniversary. Founded in 1979, theMemphis-based choir is composed of members from a variety ofMemphis churches and denominations and has performed with acts from Kirk Franklin, Bobby Jones, Shirley Caesar, and Ce Ce Winans to The Canton Spirituals and Dottie Peoples.

Slick Ballinger

North Carolina-born Ballinger first gained attention as one of blues music's brightest young talents. His debut disc, "Mississippi Soul," earned him the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut in 2007. To the surprise of many, Ballinger turned to gospel music and ministry, delivering standards and self-penned numbers with the same boundless energy and sense of passion that had made him a major blues draw.

Admission is free. Music begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m. Immediately following, theCity of Helena-West Helena will present a Memorial Day weekend fireworks display downtown.

For more information and/or pictures on DCC events and exhibits, call the Delta Cultural Center toll free at (800)-358-0972 or visit http://www.deltaculturalcenter.com.

SOURCE Arkansas Delta Cultural Center

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