Want to lift your spirits? Just visit one of these four Florida cities with great gospel music scenes.
 

By Jodi Mailander Farrell

Jacksonville

Gospel plays, concerts and brunches are consistently in the lineup at the Ritz Theatre and Museum, a historic, 426-seat Art Deco theater in the heart of the city’s LaVilla neighborhood, known from 1921 to 1971 as the “Harlem of the South.” Gospel singer and Civil Rights activist Mavis Staples and Brooklyn-based Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens are among the headliners who have performed here.
theritz.jaxevents.com
829 N. Davis St., Jacksonville, 32202
904-807-2010

Tampa Bay

The Tampa Black Heritage Festival features a Gospel Night every year in January at a local church as part of its year-round signature events.
tampablackheritage.org
813-229-1100

Orlando

Soulful brunches, accompanied by traditional and contemporary gospel music, occur at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Sunday at the House of Blues. Along with the best in local and regional choirs, enjoy chicken and waffles, carving stations and southern specialties.
houseofblues.com
1490 E. Buena Vista Dr., Orlando 32830
407-934-2583

Miami

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County  is proud to present the return of GOSPEL FEST MIAMI, a months-long celebration of gospel music, history and culture. The celebrations kick in February  with the annual ARSHT GOSPEL CHOIR INVITATIONAL, a free choral competition where collegiate, community and church choirs from across Florida are invited to compete for a cash prize-- and the opportunity to perform at the second-annual GOSPEL FEST MIAMI WEEKEND in June, alongside headliners. The festival also features free seminars and panel discussions exploring the history of gospel music, choir workshops and more.
www.arshtcenter.org
1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 33132
305-949-6722

PLACES TO REMEMBER