1st Annual Gospel Music Festival In Avalon, Catalina Island, Ca. (2009)

Catalina
Island to host the first annual Catalina Island Gospel Music Festival
on Saturday, March 21st at the legendary Casino Ballroom in Avalon. The
renowned Temptations Review, featuring Dennis Edwards; Vicki Winans, a
six time Grammy-award nominee and the Starlights, voted the House of
Blues’ Best Male Gospel Group will all be performing. These giants of
the gospel music scene will inspire gospel enthusiasts with exceptional
gospel music in the intimate and unique art deco setting the Casino
Ballroom.

            (Vickie Winans)

Dennis Edwards, one of the remaining members of the
original Temptations spans a four decade singing career. Mr. Edwards
was lead singer during many of the Temptations’ long string of number
one hit records, such as Ball of Confusion, Cloud Nine, Can’t Get Next
to You, and others, which culminated in 14 gold albums, seven Grammy
nominations, and Five Grammy Awards. Utilizing his unique style, and
smooth delivery, Mr. Edwards and the Temptations Review inspires
audiences across the generations, from preteens to mature citizens.

Award-winning
singer Vickie Winans comes from a large family of gospel singers. She
began her career when she was a small child in Detroit, performing with
her family at church. All grown up, she completed her debut solo album
in 1985 which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female
Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. It was the first of a long line of
recordings that would bring her a number of hits and music awards. In
her over 20-year career, Vickie Winans has received many accolades
including five Grammy Award nominations; eight Stellar Awards, and an
NAACP Image Award. Ms. Winans music can be deeply gospel, contemporary
Christian, or any mixture in between and is loved by many.

The
Starlights are a local Southern California group whose members were
born and raised in Long Beach and Compton. The group, consisting of
Greg Botts and his three nephews, began singing together in 1980. They
have played to audiences from West Hollywood to Chicago to New Orleans
to Myrtle Beach and were awarded the “Best Male Gospel Group” that has
ever performed at the House of Blues. They continued touring in Europe
and their nouveau traditional style induces audiences to a rousing,
foot stomping finale, appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Tickets
for the 1st Annual Catalina Island Gospel Music Festival range from $60
to $100 per person and are available at www.tix.com or through the
Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce at 310-510-1520. Doors open at 5pm
and the concert starts at 6pm. Island hotel and transportation packages
for the event start at $152.20 per person/double occupancy. Festival
tickets must be purchased separately.