This year’s McDonald’s Gospelfest will include a tribute to Aretha Franklin.
After moving to Newark Symphony Hall last year, the annual McDonald’s Gospelfest is returning, in its 37th year, to its more customary home, Newark’s Prudential Center. The show will take place May 11 (the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend) and include a tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, a gospel as well as an soul icon.
(Feb. 27 Update: The show’s lineup will include Yolanda Adams, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond and others.)
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 22 at 11 a.m., with an American Express presale at 10 a.m. Jan. 18, and an Internet presale at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 (use “PEACE” as the code word); visit ticketmaster.com.
As usual, the 5 to 7 p.m. portion of the show will feature a competition for up-and-coming artists in categories such as soloists, choirs, praise dancers, singing groups, gospel comedians, gospel poets and gospel rappers. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Franklin, who performed at the 2013 McDonald’s Gospelfest, died in August, at the age of 76.
