Local independent Christian artists in Lincoln Parish may find themselves very busy this weekend.
First coming to Lincoln Parish Friday, April 28, will be the Inaugural Juneteenth Contest for indie gospel artists at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church from 7 pm to 9 p.m., while on Saturday, April 29, the Indie Christian Hip Hop Showcase will be hosted inside the Favrot Student Union Black and Gold Room on the campus of Grambling State University with doors opening at 5 p.m.
For the Inaugural Juneteenth Contest, local gospel soloists, groups, duets, instrumentalists are invited to try out. The contestant that has the highest score will advance to the finals on Friday, June 16, at Zion Traveler Baptist Church. The winner will get to open for the Juneteenth concert on Saturday, June 17, which will feature 11 time Stellar Award Winner and Dove Award Nominated Pastor Mike Jr, Stellar and Dove Award Nominated Kelontae Gavin and Grammy and Image Award Nominated James Fortune.
The winner will also receive $1000, national interviews and an opportunity to get their project promoted on The New Artist Profile with Tony, which is an award winning international independent artist gospel radio show. Those interested can register by going to ziontravelercdc.com.
“This year we wanted to do something new to involve folks in our area who have aspirations to break into the industry,” Pastor Maurice White said of the Inaugural Juneteenth Contest. “Lincoln Parish has some great talent and this contest gives the people of our community the opportunity to showcase what they can do. We have exceptional talent coming from all over the south to try out. It will really be exciting watching everyone compete. The tryout this weekend is centered around the people of Lincoln Parish and then the next two weeks artists from all over will come to tryout.”
Santoria Black, who will be hosting the Indie Christian Hip Hop Showcase, is also excited about the opportunities available to local artists to showcase their respective musical talents.
“This is a great opportunity for the citizens of our community and for all those who aspire to go to the next level in Gospel Music,” Black said. “We want to give independent gospel artists a chance to experience being on the big stage and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the Gospel industry.
“And for Saturday, this is the first time that north Louisiana has seen a tour like this come through the area. It’s a great opportunity to expose our Lincoln Parish community to a showcase like this. It’s ground breaking for our area.”
For Saturday’s Indie Christian Hip Hop Showcase, it will be one of two opportunities for fans in North Louisiana to see the showcase, with a few of the artists hailing from right here at home.
“This is big for us to bring our showcase to such an historic place like Grambling State University,” general manager Vincent Ellis said. “We will be traveling over the south and to be able to have Grambling on the tour schedule is special. Some of our artists are from Louisiana so this is a coming home opportunity for them.”
Fans of the event will be able to enter free of charge after registering for a ticket here.
