Ricky Dillard, Hez and Anthony Brown Headline Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Stellar Award winners Ricky Dillard and the New Generation Chorale (New G) will celebrate their anniversary headlining the 34th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival, taking place May 31 and June 1 in Chicago’s picturesque Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center .

“Gospel music is the inspiration for so many music genres including the blues, soul, R&B, pop and jazz,” said Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “We look forward to celebrating the music that started here in Chicago more than 80 years ago and are honored to be partnering with the Stellar Awards. This is one of the most ambitious rosters of artists that we have presented in years.”

The Gospel Music Festival will be held at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) from noon to 4pm and in Millennium Park from 5:30 to 9pm on Friday, May 1, and will continue in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) on Saturday, June 1, from 11am to 9pm with music beginning at noon. Stellar Award winning artists on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage in Millennium Park will perform from 5 to 9pm on Saturday, June 1.

Opening night’s final performance will feature Chicago Gospel music artist and choir director, Ricky Dillard & New G (Reunion Choir). They are best known for their electrifying performances. With the release of the 2017 hit album 10, Dillard’s flair and New G’s energy solidified the group as one of the top urban choirs in the country. The festival is excited to welcome them back once again.

A very special evening on Saturday, June 1 with the Stellar Awards will present a celebration honoring Black Music Month and the National Museum of Gospel Music beginning at 5pm with a lineup of Gospel Music superstars and emerging artists.

Bishop Hezekiah Walker, the Stellar and GRAMMY® Award winning gospel music artist, founder and leader of the Love Fellowship Choir will once again return to the festival stage. For more than 30 years, Hezekiah Walker has delivered music that serves as anthems of hope and inspiration, garnering him national and international acclaim.

Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Anthony Brown stepped forward in 2012 with the Stellar Award winning group, Anthony Brown & group therAPy with their self-titled debut album. In 2016, Anthony Brown & group therAPy won ten Stellar Awards for Group/Duo of the Year, Contemporary Male of the Year and Music Video of the Year for their hit single “Testimony.” In May, 2019, they are set to record Second Wind Live Experience during a live concert.

Singer and songwriter Koryn Hawthorne has been on a whirlwind ride since being a finalist on season eight of The Voice. Her debut studio album, Unstoppable, arrived at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. Tasha Page Lockhart won the gospel singing competition, BET’s Sunday Best during season six. She saw her first studio album, Here Right Now, topped the Billboard charts, The Billboard 200 and the Top Gospel Albums. Maranda Curtis is known for her melodic tones and her natural flow. From Miami, Florida, Curtis is a leading voice in the gospel music industry where she has worked on various projects with other artists and as lead vocalist.