Mar 27, 2002

The stirring gospel sounds of the renowned Washington Baha'i Chorale will fill the Living Arts Centre's Hammerson Hall, Saturday, March 30, at 8 p.m.

Directed by Van Gilmer, the 35-member choir will present a performance entitled, If We Ever Need Love.

Gilmer is a tenor soloist known internationally for his renditions of Amazing Grace.

Meanwhile, the Washington Baha'i Chorale has been featured regularly at Interfaith and Martin Luther King celebrations in the Washington, D.C. area.

This will be the group's first visit to Canada. The performance will also feature guest soloist Patti Jannetta of Port Credit, with accompaniment by keyboardist John Ebata.

Ron Lenyk, publisher of The Mississauga News, will act as emcee for the occasion.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Parkinson Society of Canada. Tickets cost $20 and about 600 of the 1,000 available tickets have been sold to date.

The show is being sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of The Baha'is of Mississauga, in memory of the late Richard M. Harding, formerly of Mississauga. Harding was a Parkinson Society of Canada Volunteer of the Year award recipient and an active Baha'i member.

The Baha'is of Mississauga are doing the advertising and providing food for the event.

The Baha'is of Mississauga vice-chair Shirlee Smith went to see WBC in New York City in 1992.

"It was a Baha'i gathering but a lot of people were completely unaware of their music. The audience was on its feet," Smith said.

Members of the Washington Baha'i Chorale are diverse in race, nullifying stereotypes that gospel music is ethnic in nature, said Smith.

"A lot of people think gospel is black music," said Smith.

"But Baha'is believe in unity and diversity and the Washington Baha'i Chorale is very mixed. They sing the kind of gospel music that brings joy, tears and laughter."

For tickets, call 905-306-6000.

©Copyright 2002, THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS