Audience leaves Victoria Park wanting more at start of Gospel Fest 2013

Performances by church choirs, dancers and guest artiste Joel “Positive” Murray, had persons attending the launch of Gospel Fest 2013, asking for more.{{more}}

Gospel Fest 2013, was officially launched on Sunday at Victoria Park, under the theme “Lifting Jesus Higher”.

In his remarks, Fidel Taylor encouraged the Christian community to make their presence felt in the country more than ever.

“If there is ever a time to lift Jesus higher, it is now,” Taylor said. “Lift the bloodstained banner of Jesus higher so that this nation can see and feel the effects of it”.

He noted that this can be done through one’s lifestyle, worship and praise.

There were many noteworthy performances that echoed the sentiments of the chairman of the SVG Gospel Fest Committee. Various praise and worship groups from different churches in St Vincent had patrons on their feet and hands in the air, moving to the melodies.

It was the Diadem Dancers, however, that had persons rushing to the front of the stage to get a better view of their emotionally expressive dance, depicting the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

The outstanding performance started from the CDC stand and made its way to the stage; Jesus struggling under the weight of the cross and crowds shouting “crucify him!”

Included in the memorable performances of the night, was a verbal battle entitled “The Christian vs The Unsaved”.

This long-awaited performance took the form of an extempo calypso, which had Errol Bowens Jr. and Keanu Charles of the Faith Temple Church comparing the lives of a Christian and someone who did not believe in God.

In resolution, “The Unsaved” realized that Christianity was the path that he should follow.

While the crowd enjoyed this immensely, it was the appearance of Positive that had them rushing to the stage once more.

The Trinidadian wooed the crowd with his heavily influenced reggae gospel hits.

Positive launched into renditions of “My God is Awesome” and “Nobody Greater” and addressed the crowd, stating that his “message is that it is more than music, it’s worship”.

Sweat dripping from his face, Positive shared his story of how he found God in music after he lost his sister to meningitis, and his mother, soon after, to cancer.

With the crowd begging for more, Positive sang his hit single, “Never Let Go”.

Gospel Fest activities will continue in rural areas before culminating at Victoria Park on April 28.

This year, the most outstanding solo, duet, group or band taking part in the festival will be lucky to receive a video and recording contract, compliments Mt Zion Production and Jason Providence, a Vincentian Gospel artiste. (BK)