Stomp your feet, clap your hands and raise your voice in spirited song to gospel standards like "Amazing Grace," "This Little Light of Mine" and "Happy Day" with the Harlem Gospel Choir this Monday evening at Eckerd College. Established in 1986 by Allen Bailey and inspired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the choir brings a message of love, peace and togetherness to communities around the world and is made up of some of the finest vocalists and musicians from Harlem churches. They've performed for such noteworthies as Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II, provided energetic back-up to Lyle Lovett, Diana Ross, U2 and a host of others and raised funds for children's charities all throughout. More than 40 members make up the hometown choir; a reduced but no less powerful dozen performs as part of Eckerd's Presidential Events Series and 50th Anniversary Celebration. An Evening with the Harlem Gospel Choir, Mon., March 31, 7 p.m., McArthur Gymnasium, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, $10 ($5 Eckerd faculty, staff and alumni/free for Eckerd students), 727-864-8894, eckerd.edu/harlemgospelchoir.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2008.