“The 4th Annual Gospel Music Fest with The Belle” is set to return to a city that has long been known for its mixture of Traditional and Quartet sounds. Now listed as one of the largest outdoor Gospel Concerts on the East Coast, the Dogwood Dell stage in Byrd Park is now set for some of the biggest names in Gospel to land in Richmond on Sunday, June 23 @5p.m.
The 4th Annual Gospel Music Fest with “The Belle” will include the sounds of Traditional, Contemporary, Urban, and the Quartet sounds of Soul Tempo.
This now annual event was birth from a vision of Gospel music industry, multimedia journalist, publicist, promoter and radio personality Sheilah Belle a.k.a. “The Belle” after receiving the invitation, now four years ago, from the Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Richmond, Brian Little to pull together a Gospel event.
“I’m a Richmond native, who grew up in Byrd Park. My weekends often included going to Dogwood Dell with the family and friends to see plays and concerts or enjoy the fireworks while standing around Fountain Lake. When I received the call to pull together and produce a Gospel Event for my own city, I was speechless,” says The Belle. “All I could think about were the endless opportunities I could provide for so many talented people who sing and dance before the Lord from Richmond and beyond.”
It was only days later when The Belle put together a rough draft with Brian Little smiling with approval. Little says, “While we have had several spiritual and inspirational events hosted for the city of Richmond at various venues, I am excited about what Ms. Belle is bringing to the table for Dogwood Dell. Our goal is to grow what we have been doing for years and open the doors for new comers and new talent.”
Traditionally Dogwood Dell has played host to concerts, plays and musicals that showcase local talent from June to August yearly. Family members and friends come throughout the Summer with lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Some of their special Gospel guests over the years have included Larry Bland and the Volunteer Choir, God’s Image and Cora Armstrong.
This year you can expect to see a few more familiar faces and several new ones. The Belle says, “I am extremely excited about the doors God is opening and making room for as we now have talent coming in from as far away as Los Angeles to New Haven, Conn. My goal this year is to truly have something for everyone from Traditional to Urban Contemporary.”
This year, The Belle says, “I’m also excited about Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell making “Gospel Music Fest with The Belle” one her of first promotional stops where she will perform and single her brand new single, “A Little More Jesus.”
Byron Cage & The Greater Voices of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church will also be debuting its upcoming choir for their live recording and a long time favorite from the Sounds of Blackness “Ann Nesbywill also be performing.
Traveling in from Atlanta, GA is the Award Winning Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling. The Belle says, “There is much anticipation for Lemons and his group to perform as we are sure their performance will leave ALL speechless!”
Bringing the Old School sounds with an Urban twist will be a growing Richmond favorite Soul Tempo. “Think about the group ‘The Temptations’ with an Urban Gospel twist. That’s Soul Tempo”, says The Belle.
Making their first appearance at Gospel Fest with The Belle will be the legendary Virginia Choral Ensemble. Based out of Cedar Street Baptist Church, they are known for their strong Traditional sounds and their connection with the community and making a special guest appearance will be the one and only, the legendary Larry Bland.
“There is so much talent out here, not only in Richmond, but across the country and providing them with a stage, an audience and an opportunity, is simply a blessing,” says Belle.
Co-Hosting this year’s events is WWBT TV/CW Network’s own Chris Thomas, Johnny Branch and The Belle.
This is an outdoor and is open and FREE to the pubic.
This year’s event is being sponsored in-part by The City of Richmond, The Belle Report, Radio One Praise 104.7FM, Barky’s & Belle Spiritual Store, Speaking Spirit Ministries, Four Deep Multimedia, Christian Enterprise, www.FeelGoodGospel.Com
