#36th annual pastor’s celebration

[redcarpetview]

BET Network to air 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on August 1st

Jekalyn Carr

Ty Tribbett

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards will celebrate its 36th year of honoring excellence in gospel music, featuring soul-stirring performances that will move audiences who love sounds of inspiration. Hosted by gospel chart-toppers Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, this year’s ceremony showcases an eclectic mix of gospel legends and industry standard-bearers, along with the unstoppable force of young, contemporary artists who are spreading the Good News in great ways.

The annual celebration, set to premiere August 1st at 7PM CT on BET, underscores the power of artists who boldly proclaim a Christ-centered identity; authentically represent the unique sounds of their region; and clearly display the rich diversity filling gospel music – exerting a healing and uplifting energy that reaches the masses.

The pre-recorded program has allowed this reporter to have some insights. A new generation of gospel artists graced the stage as a testament to the genre’s staying power. Among them, Pastor Mike Jr. from Birmingham, Alabama, who was nominated for multiple Stellar Awards this year, performed “Big,” and host Jekalyn Carr performed “Change Your Story” and “Jehovah Jireh.” Maverick City Music treated audiences to various emerging artists such as Jokia, Terrian, and Nia Allen were spotlighted as up-and-coming gospel talent.

Jekalyn Carr stunned the audience in four custom looks as well, styled by Dallas celebrity stylist J. Bolin, and she was the youngest to host the Stellar Awards in front of a live audience.

Big winners at the 36th Stellar Gospel Music Awards included Pastor Mike Jr., who was named Artist of the Year, won Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. Kierra Sheard-Kelly was honored during the ceremony with Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. Maverick City Music won both New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.

Jonathan McReynolds

Lady Tramaine Hawkins

Other multiple Stellar Awards winners included Jonathan McReynolds, who was named Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and as part of a group that won Producer of the Year. Powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard took home the Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.

Among many highlights from “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and Avery*Sunshine joined together to deliver a powerful tribute to Lady Tramaine Hawkins, who was honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award presented by Toyota. The trio performed a medley including such widely-known Hawkins’ songs as “Holy One,” “Changed,” and “Going Up Yonder.”

The Clark Sisters, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award presented by AT&T, also performed rousing renditions of “Is My Living In Vain,” “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and “His Love.” The legendary group received three nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards.

Viewers worldwide can expect to witness these dynamic performances and discover the inspirational winners across all categories, when the Stellar Awards airs August 1, on BET, 7 p.m. CT. The ceremony was pre-recorded at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, July 10.

For additional updates check out www.thestellarawards.com. Finally, once again, The Villager Newspaper was honored to join the press corps in covering The Stellar Awards in 2021.

[westernmanews]

The annual Boar's Head Festival has kicked off its 36th Medieval Celebration of the Epiphany.

Complete with costumes from the times and live animals, the Boar's Head Festival celebrates the birth of Christ and the coming of the three kings.

The annual celebration commemorates a medieval festival from England, symbolyzing the triumph of good over evil.

The senior pastor at Trinity Church. John Mueller, told 22News what this celebration means to him, This time of year not only Christianity but many faiths celebrate light coming into the darkness and it's a message of hope and life and and joy and it's a way to start the new year. 

Every year the festival is held at the church located on Sumner Avenue.