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PALM SPRINGS, CA- Gearing up for another outstanding season of cultural festivities, the Palm Springs Black History Committee invites members of the community to participate in its yearly ceremonial Gospel Fest. The event, which heralds the official kickoff of the year’s Black History Month celebrations, is scheduled to take place Sunday, January 31, 2016.
Promising to be an afternoon rooted in culture and tradition, the Gospel Fest will set the pace for the 2016 Black History Month theme “Hallowed Grounds of African American History.” It aims to highlight the rich cultural legacy upon which the Palm Springs African American community has forged here in the desert region.
“Gospel music has always been important to our community,” says Linda Gray, Gospel Fest committee chairperson and long time Palm Springs resident. “It has been a means by which we gather and communicate to express our spirituality along with our connection to each other.”
According to Gray, the Gospel Fest has traditionally held a very significant role in the Black History Month celebrations. It first started out as an all community choir made up of desert residents from across the Coachella valley. The choir, which sung at the grand opening celebration, became the official launch to the season’s programming. This tradition soon evolved into an event all within itself allowing the Gospel Fest to garner the position as the official opening of Black History Month for the Desert residents. It serves as a catalyst to gather the community and set the tone for the festivities to come.
Members of the community of all ages are invited to participate as we gather to celebrate and share the vast talent represented in our region. The event is scheduled to take place United Methodist Church 1555 E. Alejo Road in Palm Springs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the general public is $2. The deadline for talent to apply is Friday, January 15, 2016. For more information contact Linda.gray@palmspringsca.gov or visit www.Palmspringsblackhistory.org
