THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507280178
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
If joyful music makes you feel like singing and clapping in praise of the Lord, Gospelrama at Portside next weekend is the place to be.
At least 30 groups and individuals will perform from 2 to 9 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the water stage. The ninth annual gospel celebration is free but donations of canned food will be accepted for distribution to needy families.
The festival is sponsored by HOPS (Helping Others Progress Successfully). Christine Davis, founder of HOPS and organizer of Gospelrama, calls it a ``unity celebration.''
The goal of HOPS is to establish racial harmony in the city, Davis said, and both performers and audience are integrated at these celebrations.
``It's really a beautiful sight to see everybody sitting together, singing and clapping to the music,'' she said.
The program this year will cover a variety of church-oriented music ranging from traditional choirs and gospel quartets to rappers.
``All are spiritually uplifting,'' Davis said. ``I think that is why our audience grows every year.'' MEMO: Pictured on the cover is The Johnson Family. The group performs at 5:30
p.m. Sunday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Eric L. Taylor
by CNB