Canary Islands Gospel Festival Marks 20 Years with Extensive Concert Lineup

The Canary Islands Gospel Festival is set to commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2025 with an impressive lineup of over 25 concerts across multiple islands.

Major Performances Highlight the Festival

Among the festival’s key attractions are the renowned Charleston Gospel Choir, which will perform at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna on December 5, 6, and 7, and the South Carolina Gospel Choir, scheduled to take the stage at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus on December 13.

The announcement of the festival’s program took place on Monday at the Teatro Leal, featuring notable figures such as the Cultural Councillor of La Laguna, Adrián del Castillo, and the Deputy Minister of Culture for the Canary Islands Government, Cristóbal de la Rosa. They were joined by Javier Prieto, the Director of Institutional Relations for Promotur Turismo de Canarias, and Paula Concepción, the Director of Xenox Producciones. The event also included a brief performance by singer Gwen Thomas.

Festival’s Cultural Impact and Economic Significance

Adrián del Castillo emphasized the significance of San Cristóbal de La Laguna as a host for one of the Archipelago’s most esteemed festivals, highlighting the event’s artistic quality and its ability to attract concerts and masterclasses in various venues, including Casa Anchieta and the convent of Santo Domingo.

Cristóbal de la Rosa reflected on the festival’s two-decade legacy, noting its role in cultivating an audience for gospel music throughout the years. He remarked on the festival’s contribution to spreading the cultural and artistic values of gospel music to more remote areas, enhancing its value beyond mere entertainment.

Javier Prieto pointed out that the festival exemplifies the effectiveness of the sponsorship strategy employed by the Canary Islands, which aims to distribute cultural activities and economic benefits across all islands. He projected an economic impact of nearly €16 million from the festival, underscoring the commitment of Canary Islands Tourism, which has allocated €13.4 million since 2023 to support 139 music festivals across the region.

Diverse Concerts Across the Islands

This year’s festival will feature a variety of performances, including those by AttihSoul and Gwen Thomas on November 28 at Centro Cultural Playa San Juan, November 29 at Centro Cultural de Chío, and November 30 at Ex Convento Santo Domingo in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Other performances include Naturally on November 30 at Plaza de Santa Úrsula, and the Charleston Gospel Choir on December 4 at Teatro Cine Los Realejos.

The Let’s Sing Gospel Choir will perform on December 5 at Centro Cultural de La Villa in Santa Brígida, on December 6 at El Salinero in Arrecife, and on December 7 at Auditorio Guía de Isora. Additional concerts include Góspel Sinfónico on December 11 at Teatro Cine Los Realejos, GSV on December 12 at Antiguo Convento de San Luis Obispo, and Volney Morgan on December 12 at Auditorio Insular.

The Charleston Gospel Choir is celebrated for its engaging performances, blending refined artistry with popular appeal. Their presentation, ‘Gospel & Rhythm,’ is designed to resonate with audiences worldwide, drawing inspiration from the vibrant traditions of black churches in South Carolina.

In Gran Canaria, the South Carolina Gospel Choir, under the direction of Reverend Michael Brown, will pay tribute to the legendary Michael Jackson with their show ‘Michael Jackson Happy Days,’ featuring a mix of spiritual songs and iconic hits from the King of Pop.

Key points

• The Canary Islands Gospel Festival will celebrate its 20th edition in 2025.
• Over 25 concerts will take place across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, Lanzarote, La Graciosa, and La Palma.
• The Charleston Gospel Choir will perform at Teatro Leal on December 5, 6, and 7.
• The South Carolina Gospel Choir is scheduled to perform at Auditorio Alfredo Kraus on December 13.
• The festival is projected to have an economic impact of nearly €16 million.
• Canary Islands Tourism has allocated €13.4 million to support music festivals since 2023.
• The festival will feature performances from various artists, including AttihSoul, Gwen Thomas, and Let’s Sing Gospel Choir.