The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts has announced Gospel Fest Miami, a six-month celebration honoring gospel music’s profound history and cultural impact. Running from January through June 2025, the festival will feature free concerts, film screenings, workshops, and performances culminating in a grand finale concert showcasing national gospel stars and local talent.
The celebration kicks off on January 18, 2025, with the Arsht Gospel Choir Invitational at the Knight Concert Hall. This free choral competition will welcome collegiate, community, and church choirs from across Florida, offering a $5,000 grand prize and the opportunity to perform during the Gospel Fest Miami Weekend on June 21-22, 2025. The invitational will also feature performances by the Florida Fellowship Super Choir and Florida Memorial University’s Ambassador Chorale. Hosted by gospel artist Corey Edwards, the event promises an evening of spirited music and community engagement.
“Gospel Fest Miami is an evolution of the Arsht Center’s fan-favorite Free Gospel Sundays series, which showcased the rich gospel music in Miami for 15 seasons,” said Jairo Ontiveros, the Arsht Center’s Executive Producer and Dorothea Green Chair of Education & Community Engagement in a press release. “We’re excited to expand this popular series so Miami can immerse itself in gospel culture by learning about its history and cultural significance, in addition to enjoying magical performances.”
Throughout the season, the Arsht Center will host pop-up performances under the Gospel on the Road initiative from February through May 2025, featuring local gospel acts performing in neighborhoods across Miami-Dade County. These free performances aim to spread joy and unity within the community.
The festival will culminate in the Gospel Fest Miami Weekend on June 21-22, 2025, with a lineup of events that includes:
- A free film screening on gospel’s history and its ties to the Civil Rights movement.
- Pre-show artist conversations and panel discussions.
- Vocal clinics and choir workshops for participants of all skill levels.
- A finale concert featuring national gospel headliners and local talent, including winners of the Arsht Gospel Choir Invitational.
The inaugural Gospel Fest Miami is made possible through support from longtime Arsht Center patrons, including Michelle and Rodney C. Adkins, Melanie and Martin Kirshner, and Baptist Health.
How to Get Involved
Choirs interested in competing in the Arsht Gospel Choir Invitational must apply by December 18, 2024, with details available on the Arsht Center’s website. Free First Access Passes for the Invitational will be available starting December 3, 2024.
Stay tuned for announcements on the complete festival lineup and additional details. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
0 comments on “Adrienne Arsht Center Announces Gospel Fest Miami 2025 with Free Events and Star-Studded Finale”