It has been years since visiting Indianapolis. A few times, I’ve driven through the city on the way to Minneapolis and Chicago, so it was nice to stop and visit. The main purpose for going was to see Hezekiah Walker and a variety of other gospel groups at the Indiana Black Expo.
The black expo is 10-day period of programs, seminars, shops, celebrations, and concerts that feature or is geared to black people. There is art, electronics, seminars, gospel, soul, and all other kinds of entertainment and learning experiences there. I wish I had gone for many days, however, was only there for the last day to see the gospel concert.
I was able to pass by the oversized Lucas Oil Stadium, which is a dome. I remember the RCA Dome, and this thing dwarfs it. It is really tall and doesn’t have the traditional dome look. I like that. Go for something different with large Colt players on the side and a building looking like a renovated warehouse. If you visit Indianapolis, check this stadium out.
http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucas_Oil_Stadium
However, the concert took place where the bulk of the expo was going on in the convention center. It was very well laid out and had a comfortable feel. Due to time constraints, I was not able to visit everything.
Getting into the concert was easy and finding a great seat was not a problem. The auditorium held 4000 people and maybe 1500 or 2000 was actually in there. It was a great time and they moved the people on and off the stage very efficiently.
There where at least eight different groups that performed. The main acts where Canton Jones, J J Hairston and Youthful Praise, Bishop Trotter and the Sweet Holy Spirit Choir, and the headliner Hezekiah Walker.
Canton Jones did an excellent job at entertaining and keeping the Spirit in the place. He has a nice mix of bass and hip-hop beats but can sing or rap and allow us to really feel what he’s saying. He has a message that is relatable to all people. The thing I will remember from his performance is when the audience did the electric slide to the song “How can you sing about love.” It was great, fun, and glad we where able to come out of our proverbial stiff shell.
Hezekiah Walker was the headliner however he was not able to come with his choir. They group behind him did a great job, but he was only able to sing three songs. I’m not sure what happened, maybe the rain slowed him down, but he still did a great job with his three hits, “Faithful”, “I Need You”, and “Souled Out.”
Youthful Praise, a choir out of Bridgeport Connecticut did an excellent job. They have a CD coming out soon, so definitely check that out, but of course, they did some hits from pervious CDs. The crowd bounced with flair to the song “Awesome God”, as well as shouted after “Incredible God, Incredible Praise.” It felt so good in there, that even the next choir, Sweet Holy Spirit Choir, was shouting when they got onto the stage. It really blessed my soul how Youthful Praise sung the song, and I would say go out and immediately get one of their CD’s. Still one of my favorite songs they have done is called, “He Shall Be Praised,” on the album Thank You For The Change. Check that out if you can.
Bishop Trotter is back, and he must have brought most of his Sweet Holy Spirit Choir down from Chicago. They really did an excellent job, and I would say go and see them whenever they are in town. The choir has a great blend of up-tempo and slow songs, as well as give it their all in everything they do. Plus, there is something about a choir in robes. It looks great and uniformed. Another thing is that they moved around a lot and really got the audience into their performance/ministry. Only Ricky Dillard with New G as well as Madison Mission Choir, are about the only other groups I’ve seen live that move around that much.
Overall, it was great and enjoyable. It makes the three hour drive to Indianapolis well worth it.
http://www.youthfulpraise.org/newsite/home.html
http://www.cantonjones.net/index2.html
http://www.sweetholyspirit.org/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment