August - 2020 - Gospel Showcase

Summary/Outline

“Gospel music is now one of the most popular music genres in the UK and is an integral part of British culture. Young people in schools, colleges, and Sunday services are turning to the influential sounds of the Caribbean, and UK urban sounds, with hip-hop beats, soul, R&B, and grime to express their stories of sorrows, despair joys, and triumphs. Contemporary gospel music is more accessible than ever before. Take a look at the varied styles recorded during the period of Covid 19, 2020-2021. A pandemic that would change our lives forever.”

Music and arts are integral in galvanising communities creating an environment and space that, gives us an opportunity to connect in ways that politicians, religion cannot.

With Birmingham bidding to become the Capital Gospel Music we cannot fail but to recognise the gifted and talented musicians from across the region who share stories of hope and resilience that is born out the black Pentecostal experience.

Beresford Dawkins leading promotor and producer, in 1992 with other artistic associates founded ‘The Well’ a live monthly inclusive gospel showcase which crossed the north south divide. The production included music production, promotion, and artist management. Dawkins has gone on to receive several accolades for his work.

• 2001 BBC WM Gospel Award - contribution to gospel ‘The Well’
• 2002/3 Frank Stewart Award - Outstanding contribution award to Gospel
• 2006 under his management female artist Nu-life won MOBO award.

The Well programmed monthly and annual events between the late 90’s through to the 2005 attracting diverse audience from across the country at venues such as Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Library Theatre, Birmingham Conservatoire, achieving audiences from an intermate 200 to larger audience of 1800. These events soon achieved credibility delivering joint collaborative music promotions with artist from the USA i.e. Sounds of Blackness, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, Commissioned and Dawkins, and Dawkins.

The Well programmed monthly and annual events between the late 90’s through to the 2005 attracting diverse audience from across the country at venues such as Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Library Theatre, Birmingham Conservatoire, achieving audiences from an intermate 200 to larger audience of 1800. These events soon achieved credibility delivering joint collaborative music promotions with artist from the USA i.e. Sounds of Blackness, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, Commissioned and Dawkins, and Dawkins.

After 24 years in gospel music promotions Dawkins was presented in 2016’s GXMMA UK award for his contribution and services to Gospel Music.

More recently Dawkins is investigating the links between music, arts, mental health, criminal justice, and the Black African /Caribbean church. Within the last 10 years Dawkins has managed to develop projects that inform and improve mental health literacy in local communities.

Dawkins feels that Gospel Music and storytelling through arts can be life transforming. The stories told by first and second generations African Caribbean’s through music and arts celebrates social cohesion integration, and citizenship - established by the Windrush Generation within the last 70 years. Dawkins also highlights that establishing a critical approach to this subject, underpinned with a sound Theological ethos, Gospel music and Arts will galvanise communities.

Out of necessity information technology gives a new accessibility, a platform to reflect and share stories of resilience and fortitude. In these uncertain times of ‘lockdown’ the new Sunday evening showcase, Dawkins will use social media, Face book live, YouTube, and other social media platforms to connect with communities via live ‘broadcast streaming’ across the region.

The Project Launch

In August 2020 Dawkins launched 3:16 The Well CIC. The disproportionate impact of coronavirus on Britain’s Black communities illustrates, stories of: Grief, Loss, Bereavement, but also share’s stories of kindness, care, compassion, and hope which are of equal importance.

Working with local gifted, talented, musicians, and singers from across the country Dawkins will deliver the 3:16 gospel showcase to utilise music to share stories of resilience, love, hope, life and joy. The monthly music event will highlight how Gospel Music and Arts is integral in galvanising communities.

In these uncertain times of ‘lockdown’ the new Sunday evening showcase, Dawkins will use social media, smart TV, YouTube, and other social media platforms to connect with communities via live ‘broadcast streaming’ across the region.