Sheard

The Festival of Black Gospel marks its 35th anniversary in Ithaca the weekend of Feb. 24-26 with the theme "Above the Influence." Community events and public programs include a free concert headlined by singer Kierra Sheard at the State Theatre.

The festival, promoting the inspirational and uplifting musical genre, is co-presented by the student organization FBG at Cornell and the Amani Gospel Singers at Ithaca College.

The concert, Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre, also features performances by the Ithaca Mass Choir and other area choirs. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sheard is a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and producer from Detroit. She has released five gospel albums in her solo career. She was first heard at age 9, singing "The Will of God" on a 1997 album by her mother, Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters.

The festival weekend also features a pre-concert open rehearsal for the Mass Choir, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at Calvary Baptist Church, 507 N. Albany St. The public is invited. The mass choir is a community ensemble; choir members from area churches and members of the public with an interest in singing gospel music are encouraged to join the rehearsal and performance.

An Open Mic Night, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. in Emerson Suites at Ithaca College, features The Block spoken word ensemble and musical guests.

The festival has organized a community service project, Feb. 25 from noon to 4 p.m., at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. To participate visit http:// www.ithacafbg.com for information and to sign up under the heading "Get Involved." 
Rev. Justin Bilson of Washington, D.C., will lead the festival's closing service, Sunday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. at the Robert Purcell Community Center on Cornell's North Campus.

The festival, a traditional part of Black History Month events at Cornell, was founded in 1976 by the late Rev. W. Jack Lewis, director of Cornell United Religious Work from 1965 to 1981. The purpose of the festival is to promote cultural awareness while celebrating gospel music, and the annual program fosters and encourages spiritual, cultural and intellectual awareness in the Cornell and greater Ithaca communities.