The 29th Annual Stellar Awards is set to take place January 18, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. Hosted by Sherri Shepherd and Rickey Smiley the star studded event will be one to remember. However before the winners are announced there will be back to back parties, concerts and celebrations taking place beginning Thursday, January 16.
Starting with the Annual Industry Prayer Gathering, industry heavy hitters and music lovers will come together to kick off the weekend with a focus on prayer. The rest of the week will also include showcases, parties, after-parties and a few invitation-only events.
Below is a complete list of Stellar Awards weekend activities.
Thursday, January 16
- Annual Industry Prayer Gathering. 6 p.m. Join artists, industry executives and leaders in an intimate setting of praise, worship and prayer. To RSVP or for more info: [email protected] or [email protected]. Born Again Church, 858 W. Trinity Lane, Nashville, Tenn.
- Club Yes Lord. 6 p.m. Hosted by DJ Will and Crazy One. Features Rae Ellis, Fedel, Canon, Lejune Thompson, This’l and more. $5 at the door. More info: www.yeslordradio.com/anniversary. 3rd & Lindsey, 818 3rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN.
- RTMG Celebrity Basketball Game. 6:15 p.m., doors open at 5:30. Cheneta Jones will perform the national anthem and Livre’ will perform during halftime. Celebrity players include Brian Courtney Wilson, Isaac Carree, James Fortune, Bishop Joseph Walker, Wardlaw Brothers and more. For tickets: www.rtmgbasketballgame.com Triveca Nazaraene University, 333 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN.
- Urban Soul Cafe Access Granted: Homecoming, The Blackout Edition. 6 p.m. Hosted by Myron Butler and Damita Haddon. Event will honor Aaron Lindsey, Twinkie Clark and Vashawn Mitchell. Hezekiah Walker will present the awards. Performers include Tasha Page Lockhart, Anthony Brown, Tasha Cobbs, Jonathan Nelson, Lisa Knowles and the Brown Sisters, Joshua Rodgers and more. Pre-show tickets $10, day of show $15. For tickets and more info www.urbansoulcafe.com. Limelight Entertainment Venue, 201 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN.
Friday, January 17
- iAM Radio Empowerment Breakfast Revue Lounge Artist Showcase. 7:30 a.m. Hosted by Tracy Morgan, Arvetra Jones, Jamila Joy, DJ Will Newbill and Sistah Peaches. Features Pastor Kevin Adams, Bishop Jerry Maynard and Dr. Patrick Wooden, Sr. $30, includes buffet. For tickets www.iamstoreonline.com Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Parkway, Nashville, TN.
- Let’s Talk Gospel Presents Denim and Diamonds.10 a.m. Hosted by Comedian Tim and Nikita B. Features Shawn Bigby, Steve McCoy, Jamariean Moore, Paula Waters and more. For more info contact LeShelle Crump @ 919-444-3483 or Gwen Atkins @ 832-647-2368 Crystal Fountain Church, 1003 Russell Street, Nashville, TN. FREE
- 15th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon. 11 a.m. BMI will salute gospel leaders Richard Smallwood and Daryl Coley. Gospel music’s premier songwriters, brightest stars and leading industry executives will attend the invitation-only event. The Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year will also be announced at the luncheon. Rocketown, 601 Fourth Avenue South, Nashville, TN. INVITATION ONLY
- Prayzefest Gospel Network Presents Artist Showcase and Review. 1 p.m. Hosted by Donald Malloy with CD release by Countre’ Boi. Performers include Patricia Leigh, Socom, Kay Morris, Juan Santiago and more. Tickets: $15. For information and tickets, visit www.pgnetwork.com. Manna From Heaven, 3510 West Hamilton Ave., Nashville, TN.
- Urban Soul Cafe “Spoken Soul“. 1:30- 5:30 p.m. Artist will delight the audience with storytelling and poetry. Features Tru Love, Marco the poet, Dre da Poet, Diallo, NishaSpeaks, LyricForte, Karness Turner, Kezia the Poet, and GF Young. Music by Sean C. Johnson, B Nor, Ethan Kent, Winston Stewart, and Minon. For tickets and more info www.urbansoulcafe.com. The Cave, 600 9th Ave South, Nashville, TN.
- Radio Showcase Reception. 4:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Industry Professionals, radio program directors, DJs, media executives. Guest host Cedric Bailey. There will be a live remote by Rejoice Musical Soulfood. For info: 888-455-6454 ext. 103, ask for Dionna. Dave & Busters, 540 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN.
- Yes Lord Radio 2014 Anniversary Showcase. 6 p.m.-midnight. Hosted by J Moss, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ace Alexander, Judith Christie McAllister, Willie Moore, Jr., Darius Paulk, Sistah Willa Ruth Johnson and Chinnita “Chocolate’ Morris. There will be appearances by James Fortune, Anita Wilson, Smokie Norful, Paul Porter and Stephen Hurd. Performers include Larry Callahan & SOG, Rae Ellis, The Showers, Tasha Page Lockhart and more. Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, 2025 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN.
- The 33rd Blockbuster Anniversary of Donnie, Darryl & the Joyboyz. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. Performers include Keesha Rainey, Doc Mckenzie and the Highlights, The Swanee Trumpeteers and more. Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers will make an appearance. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit East Side Gospel (615-500-7677), Total Gospel (615-474-5632) and Haddox Pharmacy (615-329-3243). The Country Inn & Suites, 590 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN.
- ***Stellar Awards Preshow. 7 p.m. Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN.
- Bonnerfide Radio 2014 Anniversary Party. 9 p.m. Hosted by The Playmakers and Charles Butler. Performers include Anita Wilson, Lowell Pye, Jason Champion, Paula Champion, Marica Chisolm, Fedel, and more. Tickets $20, $30 at the door, VIP $50. The Listening Room Cafe, 217 2nd Ave. South, Nashville, TN.
- Hezekiah Walker Choirfest. Doors open at 10 p.m., event starts at 11 p.m. Choirs from around the country will perform. Special guests include Vashawn Mitchell, James Fortune, John P. Kee and JJ Hairston. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 7595 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN. FREE
Saturday, January 18
- SisterFriendz Stellar Women of Gospel Awards. 9-11 a.m. Celebrating outstanding female professionals in the gospel music industry. Omni Nashville Hotel. More info: www.sistafriendz.com INVITATION ONLY
- **Stellar Gospel Radio Station and Announcer Awards. 11 a.m. Hosted by the Tankards. Performers are Chanel Haynes-Swarz, Jessica Reedy, Dewayne Woods, Wess Morgan, Uncle Reece and Veronica Pertucci. Tickets $10 SAGMA Members, $15 General public. Purchase tickets at www.tpac.org or by calling 615-782-4040. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office on day of show. Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN.
- **29th Annual Stellar Awards. 6 p.m. Gospel’s biggest night will be hosted by The View’s Sherri Shepherd and syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley. The live taping is open to the public and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Ticket prices range from $55 – $200. Balcony seats are available for students for $35. The show will air on the UP television network live on January 18, and in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from January 18 through March 2, 2014. Nashville Municipal Auditorium, 417 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN.
- Canton Jones’ Birthday Bash and Mix Bag Entertainment’s Coming Out Party. 7 p.m. Another Urban Soul Cafe event. The party features Da’ Truth, Uncle Reece, Sean Simmonds, TWyse, Thi’sl, T’Juan MAJORS, and more. For tickets and more info www.urbansoulcafe.com B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill, 143 Beale St, Memphis, TN.
- Post-Stellar Praise Party. Hosted by San Franklin Jackson and co-hosted by Lady Shante and Chris Bond. Features Crystal Rucker, Lowell Pye, Kevin Gray, Blanch McCallister and more. 10 p.m. -1 a.m. Rocketown, 522 5th Avenue South, Nashville, TN. More info: [email protected]
