Liverpool hosts gospel event as part of slavery abolition anniversary

A MAJOR gospel event is set to take place in Liverpool on 16th and 17th June. City Sings Gospel, a project of Liverpool Lighthouse, is spearheading an Amazing Grace Festival 2007, supported by the Liverpool Culture Company Limited, to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the 800th birthday of the city of Liverpool. The festival was launched with the pre-screening of Walden Media's film Amazing Grace in February and will culminate in July with a John Newton Musicfest. Previous events have also included a special commemorative BBC Radio 4 Sunday Morning Service broadcast live from the Maritime Museum, Set Free; a Hot Gospel Showcase and Sunday Night Live featuring US Gospel Artists. The highlight of this season of events is the Waterfront Gospel Music Festival in June at the world heritage Liverpool Waterfront. The event is timed to coincide with the annual Mersey River Festival organised by the City and is set to add a new musical dimension to an annual event that attracts several thousand people. It takes advantage of the timed visit of the naval vessel HMS Albion to be docked in the Canada Dock.

The first day of the weekend-long event will be a free gospel music concert outside of the Maritime Museum. Artists featured include worship leader Muyiwa, urban gospeller Dwayne Tryumf, duo Roger And Sam, female diva Cie and Liverpool's Love And Joy Gospel Choir. On the second day, a Transatlantic Memorial Service will be held on the deck of HMS Albion for 500 guests including numerous city and church dignitaries. On the evening of 17th June the renowned African Children's Choir will perform at Liverpool Lighthouse.