April 13, 2011
10 TIME GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING A CAPELLA GROUP TAKE 6 IN A SPECIAL ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PERFORMANCE AT THE ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
LOCAL COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIRS – MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR OF ABUNDANT LIFE HEALING FELLOWSHIP, THE ST. THOMAS GOSPEL CHOIR AND THE PENN ALUMNI GOSPEL CHOIR TO PERFORM AS OPENING ACT
(Philadelphia, April 13, 2011) — The a capella gospel group Quincy Jones calls "the baddest vocal cats on the planet" returns to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a special one-night-only performance on Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 PM. Three local gospel choirs will open the first half of the concert – Music Ministry Choir of Abundant Life Healing Fellowship, the Penn Alumni Gospel Choir and the St. Thomas Gospel Choir of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. Tickets for Take 6 start at $20. For tickets or for more information, please visit www.AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office. This is the final performance of the 10/11 Annenberg Center African Roots series, which featured sold-out performances by Hugh Masekela and the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
With its roots in gospel, doo-wop, and the sophisticated jazz-influenced singing groups of mid- century America, Take 6 is both a throwback to an earlier, more genteel era of American music and a precursor for a number of black male pop groups of the 1990s, most notably Boyz II Men. Known for their upbeat, swinging take on gospel, the ten-time Grammy® award-winning group has collaborated with artists as diverse as Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah and Whitney Houston. The current Take 6 line up features Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Joey Kibble, Mark Kibble, Claude V. McKnight III and David Thomas. Take 6 last performed at the Annenberg Center in December 2004.
The Music Ministry Choir of Abundant Life Healing Fellowship is an aggregation of singers and musicians known for their energy and the positive message of their songs. Organized and directed by Pastor Steven Walker these talented and anointed singers recently released their first musical CD
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Page 2 Take 6 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts entitled Live in Worship & Praise. Pastor Walker has made the mission of his ministry "Building, Motivating and Equipping" one of healing both to the community of West Philadelphia and the world at large.
The Penn Alumni Gospel Choir is comprised of alumni, staff and friends from the West Philadelphia area, predominantly from the late 1980s - mid 1990s era. Members periodically gather from around the U.S. to lift their voices in song on the University of Pennsylvania campus, most recently in May 2009. The choir is directed by Rev. Carl Bright, who served as director of the Penn Gospel Choir from 1981-89.
The St. Thomas Gospel Choir (STGC) of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas currently consists of 50 spirit-filled, energetic and anointed musical ambassadors of song who share their music ministry at over 100 services, programs, concerts and celebrations each year. Since 2004, STGC has performed with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops during their annual December Holiday POPS! concerts. The choir will celebrate their 20th anniversary in the fall of 2011.
Pre-Show Artist Chat
Join University of Pennsylvania Assistant Vice President of Community Relations in the Office of Government and Community Affairs Glenn Bryan for a special pre-show chat in the Annenberg Center studio lobby beginning at 7:00 PM. The chat is free and open to all ticketholders.
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts The University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has been the region's leading multi-disciplinary performance venue for theatre, dance, jazz, world music, new music and children’s programming since its inception in 1971. The Annenberg Center’s curatorial vision emphasizes four primary values: artistic integrity, cultural diversity, curatorial balance and a willingness to take risks. By presenting world-renowned and cutting edge artists and companies who express adventuresome perspectives on contemporary issues, timeless ideas and diverse cultures, the Annenberg Center promotes critical thinking and dialogue among its audiences, creating a uniquely rewarding arts experience.
The Annenberg Center has achieved national recognition for its outstanding Dance Celebration series (presented in partnership with Philadelphia's Dance Affiliates), touring theatre series, and for its superior offerings for children, including both its Student Discovery Series and the acclaimed 27-year- old Philadelphia International Children’s Festival, the oldest festival of its kind in the United States. Through generous grants from The Wallace Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Annenberg Center also showcases its commitment to local artists each year through its By Local series.
Throughout its history, the Annenberg Center has presented innovative and critically-acclaimed theatre productions with some of the biggest stars of stage and screen including Liv Ullmann and Sam – more –
Take 6 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Page 3 Waterston in A Doll's House and A Streetcar Named Desire with Glenn Close. University of Pennsylvania alumnus and noteworthy Broadway producer and director Harold Prince staged many of his plays at the Annenberg Center before taking them to Broadway.
CALENDAR EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
Take 6 Gospel Concert
Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 PM
Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
With 10 Grammy® wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations and famous for their collaborations with music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Brian McKnight and Quincy Jones, you won’t want to miss Take 6 as they return to the Annenberg Center for one night only.
Media support for the 2010/11 African Roots Series provided by The Philadelphia Tribune and WDAS.
Tickets: Start at $20. For more information please call 215.898.3900 or visit www.AnnenbergCenter.org
For further press information or to set up interviews, please contact: Lauren Saul, Marketing and Communications Manager phone: 215.573.8537; email: [email protected]
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