THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9607310120
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 65 lines
The mission is twofold for Christine Davis, the woman who started Gospelrama 10 years ago.
First, she would like to reach ``the unchurched.''
But, just as important, she would like to promote unity of people - black and white, young and old, rich and poor - through music they all understand.
``We have black and white gospel groups on the program, and we want our audience to be black and white,'' Davis said.
Gospelrama is scheduled for 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Portside stage. A total of 32 groups and soloists are scheduled at 15- and 30-minute intervals.
The Gospelrama began as a one-day event at I.C. Norcom High School in 1986. All 12 participating groups were African American.
That was not what Davis had in mind.
``We want people from all races, all of God's children,'' she said.
After two years at the high school, the event moved to Portside and about half the performing groups over two days were white.
That will continue to be true this weekend, Davis said.
She calls it a ``unity celebration.''
``It's a beautiful sight to see people of all backgrounds sitting together, clapping and singing with the music,'' Davis said.
She expects more than 5,000 people to attend some part of the Gospelrama over the two-day event.
A classical musician, Davis is organist at Park View United Methodist Church, a piano teacher and choir director. She started the Portsmouth Community Choir more than 30 years ago, specializing in opera and church anthems.
In 1985, she organized HOPS, an acronym for Helping Others Progress Successfully in her Prentis Park neighborhood. Among its activities, exposing young people to the arts and offering tutoring to those who may be floundering in school.
HOPS hosts Gospelrama, which is presented by Ports Events.
Part of the program on Saturday will be especially for young people. The selections will include old-time music as well as contemporary gospel sounds.
The performers, both amateur and professional, donate their time and talents.
The program is free and open to the public. However, members of the audience are asked to bring a donation of canned food to be distributed to needy families.
The Saturday activities will open at 2 p.m. with Pat and J.T. West and continue in this order:
Melvin Woolard, Forgiven, Vicki, Second Chance, Witness, Faith Deliverance Baptist Church Choir, Heavenly Band, Joy, Philadelphia Church of Christ Choir, United Fellowship Choir, Family Inspirational Choir, Jackie Murphy, Glory Road, Kinston Jubilees, Voices of Hope and Earl Bynum, and As We Are.
The Sunday schedule will open with Sounds of Praise, which will be followed by the Londonaires, Mighty Pearly Gates, Renewed, Inspirational Choir of Mount Calvary, Spiritual Harmoneers, Peggy Britt and the Philharmonics, the Johnson Family, Golden Trumpets, the Word Singers, the Galileans, Amos Davis' Angelic Choraleers, Old Time Gospel Singers, Petersburg Gospel Singers and L.P. Johnson. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
A trio called Renewed will be among the gospel groups featured
Sunday, between 2 and 9 p.m., on the Portside Stage.
The Johnson Family Singers will perform Sunday on the Portside
Stage. A number of groups are scheduled between 2 and 9 p.m. by CNB