New Year’s Weekend in Americus

It was an evening filled with gospel performances and praise, that set hundreds of audience members to bounce in their seats to the music - or jump on their feet, giving glory to God. The annual end-of-the-year gospel concert by AmeriGospel, Inc. was held this year at the Rylander Theater in Americus. The show was the culmination of a few days of hard practice in a workshop that included various denominations from throughout the community as well as youth groups and different voice ranges. More than a hundred children and adults participated. "We are always grateful to God and for the support from the community," said Kelvin W. Pless, the organization's president. "And we want to continue to service it."

This was the 21st Year anniversary of the concert by the AmeriGospel, Inc., formerly known as the Americus Area Gospel Music & Cultural Arts Workshop, Inc. Each year in the latter part of December, the organization gets together people and members from various area churches for an all-star gospel show - bursting at the seams with music, praises, dance and prayers. It usually takes about three or four days of rehearsal before the finality. The 2006 workshop united young and old on stage and brought back some of the workshop's founding fathers. The 2007 workshop expanded its youth involvement with the addition of the Angel Dance Group for ages 4-10.

"Kids got the biggest part of the enjoyment this year," said Pless, who is also a gospel deejay for WDEC 94.7 in Americus, Ga. "It's great to see children grow into the system." The workshop, held this year at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, also included an art clinic for children by a nationally known artist in Texas. The children's drawings may be presented in one of the artist's upcoming shows, Pless said. But the Dec. 30 concert was the highlight of the week, considering hundreds packed the Rylander Theater.

The show included Alesia Sanders Expression of Praise, live recording, as well as young and adult mass choir performances, praise dancing and a mime act by Christina Reed. The concert also included a group singing of the Negro National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson.