POUGHKEEPSIE – The Hudson Valley Gospel Festival committee announced the fifth annual Hudson Valley Gospel Festival is set for Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 269 Mill St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Pre-sale ticket prices are available and Children under 5 are free. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2024HudsonValleyGospelFestival
The evening will feature the Hudson Valley Gospel Festival Choir directed by Dinesa Hansen and the Hudson Lily of the Valley Praise Dance Team led by Linda Molina. The mistress of ceremonies for the evening is Pastor Evelyn Clarke of New Progressive Baptist Church in Kingston, NY. For the 2024 concert, the Hudson Valley Gospel Festival committee chose a choir from each county represented by Arts Mid-Hudson.
The Southern Dutchess Coalition Mass Choir was established in 1990 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Reverend Barbara Baker, of Springfield Baptist Church in Beacon, New York. Before the pandemic, the community choir held an annual concert in November. The Coalition Choir sings at the Annual MLK service at Springfield Baptist Church in January. Sharlene Stout is the choir director.
Hailing from Orange County, “For His Glory” is the His Glory Conference Worship Team comprised of singers from various churches in Orange County. Established in 2015, the choir is a mix of singers from the first year to new members post-pandemic. They desire to Glorify the Lord with their gifts and make a joyful sound unto the Lord, under the direction of Pastor April Kenan.
The Ulster County Mass Choir is a 25-member community choir, directed by Reverend Dennis Washington specializing in Gospel music. Established in 1999, the choir started as the MLK Community Outreach Choir to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dennis Washington, who has directed the choir for 15 years, and shares these duties with Elder Albert Cook.
At First Congregational United Church of Christ, you will find a compassionate community, vibrant worship, and a deep-rooted commitment to social justice that began with their founding in 1837 as an anti-slavery church.
The Arts Mid-Hudson Folk Arts Program researches the arts and traditions of the region’s rich cultural, ethnic, religious, and occupational heritages. Through educational and public programs like Kakizome and La Guelaguetza, the Folk Arts Program works with communities to share these traditions. The program is open to ideas and suggestions about how to assist you in celebrating your community’s heritage.
For more information, please visit their website at https://www.artsmidhudson.org/hv-gospel-fest or contact them at 845-454-3222.