PORT PERRY, ONT. — (CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE) — The David Festival, an annual celebration of worship and the arts in the Scugog region of Ontario, returns April 8-9, 2016 – streamlined and with an exciting line-up of experts to equip Christians to worship God through the arts.
The festival gathers together visual artists, choristers, worship bands, writers, poets and preachers, photographers, actors and more for a unique learning and sharing experience.
Keynote speaker and presenter Carolyn Arends, a singer-songwriter, author of three critically acclaimed books and winner of two Dove Awards and Juno nominations, will lead participants in an exploration of the integration of worship with the arts. Karen Burke, director of the Toronto Mass Choir, along with other experts, will lead creative and practical workshops designed to build skills and insights around worship and the arts.
“We’re really pleased with the excellent workshops we have this year, along with our leading speakers,” says Susan O’Riordan, chair of the David Festival planning committee.
Burke, whose Toronto Mass Choir is known around the world for its soulful, moving renditions of gospel music, will lead a workshop called “Gospel Choir 101.” Arends, along with her keynote sessions, will teach on the creative process. There will be a workshop for worship bands, and on prayer, contemporary worship music, drama and using media well in churches.
The majority of the events will be held on Saturday, April 9 at Uxbridge Baptist Church, Uxbridge, Ont., with a Friday night event (April 8) especially for church leaders with Carolyn Arends held at New Song Church, Port Perry.
Youth groups will be especially interested in a worship concert on Friday, April 8 at Uxbridge Baptist featuring well known bands Cave and Redemption.
The festival’s website, www.davidfestival.ca, offers full workshop and registration information, including early bird specials for those who register soon.
For more information:
www.davidfestival.ca
Susan O’Riordan, festival chair: susan_timms@hotmail.com
Karen Stiller, communications: Karen.stiller@sympatico.ca