SACRED SONG UPLIFTS FRINGE AT GOSPEL SUNDAY ON SEPTEMBER 14

WHAT: Gospel Sunday returns to the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival on Sunday, September 14. Host Rev. Dr. Rickey Harvey, a Senior Pastor at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, is joined by a cast of soulful and spiritual musicians, including Sis Elizabeth King (“Liz King”) of Memphis, TN and The Fortson Gospel Singers of Akron, OH. This afternoon of sacred song is one of the most anticipated events every Fringe season and delivers community connection through heartfelt messages of hope. The Fringe kicks off on Tuesday, September 9 and runs through Saturday, September 20.

WHERE / WHEN: Gospel Sunday takes place in the Spiegeltent, located at One Fringe Place on the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets, on Sunday, September 14, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

B-ROLL / IMAGES: Capture uplifting and energetic photographs/video of amazing gospel musicians, as well as moving and heartfelt crowd reactions. Additional images can be found here.

INTERVIEWS: Pre-interviews available now with Rev. Dr. Rickey Harvey. A dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday, September 13, where photos / video can be captured. Gospel Sunday musicians will also be available for interviews after the event on Sunday, September 14.

FREE EVENT: No tickets are required. This is a free event. Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

GOSPEL ARTIST BIOS:

Rev. Dr. Rickey Harvey serves as the 10th Senior Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester, NY. Born on February 14, 1964, as the eighth of nine children, he spent his formative years in Memphis, Tennessee. At 22, he accepted his call to ministry under Rev. Melvin Rodgers at New Bethel Baptist Church. In 2008, he became the 10th Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, where he introduced the Holy Week of Sacrificial Worship service leading up to Easter. Dr. Harvey has preached across more than 30 states and currently serves on the faculty of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. An accomplished gospel singer, he was a lead singer for Memphis' Stars of Nightingales and the Dixie Wonders, and currently leads the Dynamic Dixie Wonders in Rochester.

Elizabeth King is a sacred soul and gospel singer from Memphis, Tennessee, known for her powerful voice, decades of ministry through music, and a life story rivaled by few others. Born in the Mississippi Delta and raised in a family of singers and preachers, King began singing in church at the age of three, using her voice both to battle chronic illness and to express her deep faith. Now in her 70s, she has recently returned to performing professionally. With Memphis as her long-time home, King combines classic gospel lyrics with electric guitars and sparse percussion on songs that exemplify the city’s blues-inflected sacred soul and gospel sound. 

The Fortson Gospel Singers of Akron, OH, led by Pastor Tina Fortson Spurlock, are a family gospel group known for their heartfelt performances and deep connection with the audience. They have been sharing gospel music for over 48 years, bringing messages of hope and encouragement to their listeners. The group is currently a recording artist with M.G.S. Records of Mississippi and has released original songs, including the single titled, “One Day.”