2015 Chicago Gospel Music Festival lineup announced

A tribute to Andrae Crouch and Walter Hawkins and a Gospel Choir Showcase are among the lineup for the 30th Chicago Gospel Music Festival announced today.

The free-admission festival, May 29-31 in Millennium Park, will celebrate gospel music’s deep Chicago roots with a host of local and national artists.

Nighttime performances will take place at the Pritzker Pavilion. Performances begin at noon May 30-31 on The PrivateBank Day Stage, located in the south tent on the Chase promenade. The Inspiration Youth Stage in the north tent will feature youth choirs, open-microphone opportunities and more beginning at 12:30 p.m May 30-31.

MAY 29

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

6:30 p.m.: Gospel Choir Showcase, featuring the 200 voice youth and children’s Peace Choir, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago; St. Sabina; Trinity); Third Baptist; Sweet Holy Spirit; New Beginnings in Christ; Destiny Worship Center; New St. Mathews; Progressive Life Giving Word and Covenant United Church of Christ, South Holland.

7:20 p.m.: Dexter Walker and Zion Movement

8 p.m.: Mark Hubbard & The Voices, special guests and winners of BET’s “Sunday Best,” Crystal Aikin (season 1) and Geoffrey Golden (season 7).

8:40 p.m.: Ricky Dillard and New G

MAY 30

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

4:30 p.m.: Anita Wilson and Jonathan McReynolds

5:30 p.m: Canton Jones

6:25 p.m.: The Tommies Reunions

7:15 p.m.: “JJ” Harrison & Youthful Praise James

8:10 p.m.: A Tribute to Andrae Crouch and Walter Hawkins (featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Lisa Page Brooks, Tasha Page Lockhart, Chrystal Rucker, Brian Courtney Wilson and many more)

MAY 31

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

4:30 p.m.: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago

5:30 p.m.: “The Sound of Sunday Gospel Radio” (featuring an assortment of Chicago church choirs)

7 p.m.: Anthony Brown & group therAPy

7:45 p.m.: Richard Smallwood

8:45 p.m.: Israel Houghton and New Breed

The PrivateBank Day Stage

May 30-31

Music begins at noon with highlights that include Crystal Aikin, the Douglas Singers and Todd Dulaney on May 30. The Brown Sisters and the Pastors of Praise are scheduleld to perform on May 31.

In addition to the music, the festival will feature (on Saturday and Sunday only) an art fair and marketplace, a kids activity zone and a health and wellness oasis.

For a complete performance schedule visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.