THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 19, 1995 TAG: 9505180233
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Singers will be in fierce competition at Indian River High School Saturday, all for the love of the Lord.
The first Gospel PraiseSing Showcase will feature a gospel-singing contest, pitting choirs, soloists and groups in heated competition. The event's promoter and presenter is Unique K Productions, a regional gospel music production company run by Karen Mitchell.
``I put on a lot of gospel programs at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Berkley,'' Mitchell said. ``We have so much talent here in the area I thought an event like this would do well. This will give good exposure for young and old to showcase the talent God gave them. I love putting on these kinds of programs and love working with young people and being an inspiration to them.''
Proceeds from the event will be used to benefit the Our House homeless shelter in South Norfolk and the Black History Committee at Indian River High.
``I always like to give something back to the community,'' Mitchell said.
Mitchell said she had the opportunity to visit the Our House shelter several months ago when her church's Youth Missionary Department donated toiletries to the facility. She said she went away impressed with the shelter and its director, Yolanda McDonald.
``I was struck by how well it's run and by its orderliness,'' Mitchell explained. ``It's a beautiful facility with a very homey atmosphere.''
Our House is a shelter for homeless families that provides free emergency shelter for up to three families (or 10 residents) for a maximum stay of four weeks. The facility receives some federal, state and local funds but most of its operating money comes from private donations.
The competition will be divided into three age categories: children (up to the age of 12), youth (ages 13-18) and adult (18 to 21 and older).
She said 40 participating choirs, singers and groups will come from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Hampton to sing it out on the Indian River High School auditorium stage.
Judging will be conducted by Ferman Covington, Indian River High choir director; Clarence Neely; Carolyn Williams, a local gospel promoter; and Ken Jones, who manages and promotes the gospel group Krystal.
In between the singing competition, Mitchell said she plans to keep the evening moving with scheduled performances by Girl Scout Troop 5030, based at the Huntersville Recreation Center in Norfolk; dancers from the Portsmouth-based Christian dance troupe Honey In the Rock Dance Academy; Nita Booth, Chesapeake resident, Disney Mouseketeer and former Hurrah Player; gospel singers Larry Johnson and Terrell Guy; and the Sister to Sister dance troupe from Virginia Beach.
``Once this starts, it's going to keep moving,'' Mitchell said.
``If the public wants to see young people in a positive setting,'' Mitchell said, ``they should come to the showcase.'' MEMO: Tickets to the Gospel PraiseSing Showcase cost $7 for adults and $5 for
children. They are available at the door on the day of the program and
in advance from R.B. Brickers and Co. Inc., 1400 Church St., Norfolk.
For more information about tickets or the program, call Karen Mitchell
at 466-7933.
by CNB