Lift Every Voice: Gospel Fest Miami brings national, local artists to the Arsht Center

Nathan Drew spent his formative years immersed in the world of music, but if you ask him today, he’ll say there’s only one genre that he is partial to.

“Gospel choir music is my favorite,” Drew says definitively. “Always will be.”

Today, Drew leads the Miami Gardens-based Mt. Pisgah Mass Choir and will be among the South Florida performers appearing at Gospel Fest Miami Weekend, set for Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Drew, a runner-up of the 2026 Arsht Gospel Choir Invitational, will join a crew of other South Florida artists who are hot on the Gospel scene. This includes Corey Patrick Edwards, the director of the Florida Fellowship Super Choir, Rashard Wright and Connect Worship, Sisters United, Deana Butler Rahming and Second Chapter.

Headlining concerts by Grammy winner Jekalyn Carr and Grammy-nominated singer Todd Dulaney will take center stage while Fest participants will also have the opportunity to attend free panel discussions. Gospel Fest Miami Weekend ends a six-month series of gospel programming presented by the Arsht Center.

Born into a musical family, Drew joined his church choir at the age of five. His mother, who was a minister of music, had Drew right by her side. Ever the precocious student, he learned his way around the church’s choir by soaking up the spiritual hymns, singing alto beside the adults, and gathering inspiration from gospel greats like Richard Smallwood.

He admits that influences from the legendary gospel singer hold a place near and dear to his heart.

“(He) is literally my idol,” Drew emphasizes.

It’s Smallwood’s style, the passion in his delivery and the parts of sounds, melodies and voices that he works hard to incorporate into his own musical ministry. This is particularly true when songs are up-tempo.

“The fast beat, hand clapping, foot stomping and you get that high-power energy,” remarks Drew.

And whether it is a rousing rendition or a comforting ballad, Drew says Gospel fans should find exactly what they want, and more importantly what they may need, during this year’s Gospel Fest Miami Weekend.

To be sure, Gospel music isn’t only on your grandmother’s playlist. For Wright, founder of Connect Worship and one of the festival’s South Florida performers, younger audiences are helping fuel a renewed interest in the genre.

“I think we went through a season where Christian contemporary music was the main thing for a while, but what I noticed is that people are really starting to get back to gospel music,” says Wright.

Not only is there interest, Wright has seen how these younger listeners are also pushing for change.

“There’s a misconception and I think one of the most misunderstood things sometimes, is that the youth don’t appreciate gospel, but what I’ve found is that for a lot of young people, gospel, they want it to be different. They don’t want it to sound like everything else. They want it to be something that is nostalgic. They want it to be something that they remember. They want it to be something that is soulful.”

He says what draws everyone in, including a younger audience, is the soul and the passion of gospel music.

“. . .That thing that exists in gospel music that you just can’t put your finger on and replicate. It’s just that when you feel it, you know it. And when you hear it, I think a lot of young people actually enjoy it, contrary to popular belief.”

And no matter the generation or the age group it’s a given that Gospel fans at the fest are in for a good time.

“They can expect a Holy Ghost Party and fun audience involvement,” says singer Butler Rahming who will perform alongside singer Sarah Gracel.

Butler Rahming also notes how gospel has shifted onto the mainstream stage with appearances on secular stages like Jazz in the Gardens, the annual Miami Gardens music festival. Because of this, she wants to continue to encourage younger listeners.

“The younger generation should understand that it’s okay to be cool and love the Lord.”

Gracel hopes audiences leave with more than memories of the music.

“We’re coming there to bring whatever the Lord has in store, and the main thing is that people don’t leave there the same way that they came,” she says.

In addition to concerts by national and local gospel artists, Gospel Fest Miami Weekend offers free pre-show programs at the Peacock Education Center. Saturday’s “Gospel Trends vs. Tradition” explores how the genre has evolved across generations while remaining rooted in its musical and spiritual traditions. Sunday’s “Worship Music & Wellness” invites participants to experience guided meditation, community singing and a discussion about the connection between gospel music, reflection and well-being.

If you go:

WHAT: Gospel Fest Miami Weekend

WHEN: 5 p.m., Saturday, pre-show conversation: Gospel Trends vs. Tradition (Peacock Education Center), 7 p.m., main concert featuring Sisters United, Rashard Wright & Connect Worship, and headliner Jekalyn Carr (RSVP required) ; 5 p.m., Saturday, pre-show conversation: Worship Music & Wellness (Peacock Education Center), 7 p.m., main concert featuring Second Chapter, Mt. Pisgah Mass Choir, and headliner Todd Dulaney (RSVP required).

WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.

COST: Pay What You Can with a suggested contribution: $25 for one day, $40 for a two-day pass). RSVP required.

INFORMATION: (305) 949-6722 or arshtcenter.org

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