Some of the most energetic and exciting praise and worship artists in the Indianapolis area will gather during an annual event catered to youth of all ages.
North Central High School and its Northernaires Gospel Choir will host its 11th Annual Praise Fest on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. inside the schoolās auditorium.
This yearās event will feature performances from national recording artist Rodnie Bryant and CCMC, gospel hip-hop quartet Forgiven 4, TK3, the Divine Prophets Worshippers Praise Dancers, the Warren Central High School Gospel Choir and Heart & Soul, a group based at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
Kenneth C. Williams, a local event planner and North Central student, is producing the event with the schoolās choir director, Patricia Wiehe. Williams noted that the groups selected will perform uplifting songs that reflect this yearās theme: āAfter All That Iāve Been Through, I Still Have Joy.ā
āWe have a very dedicated and organized music department that enjoys offering quality events for our community, and this is just one of them,ā Williams said.
He added that since its inception the Praise Fest has been open to everyone, but is designed specifically to attract youth, especially those who donāt normally listen to gospel music.
āItās very important that those of us in the young generation get close to God and not be ashamed to praise him,ā he stated. āOur goal was to offer a praise event with a variety of artists that people can enjoy.ā
Members of Forigven 4, who are promoting their new CD āRenewed Mindz,ā are among several artists who are looking forward to the praise fest because it fits in with their groupās vision of illuminating God and restoring hope to youth.
āOur basic goal has been to go out into the community and let everyone, especially youth, know that they can always receive Godās love,ā said group member Diamond Bush. āThis is just another way we can reach them on a level they can relate to ā with hip-hop and contemporary gospel.ā
Admission for the North Centralās 11th Annual Praise Fest is $5 per person. The school is located at 1801 E. 86th St. For more information call (317) 259-5301 ext. 5793.