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St. Cloud Times, September 18, 1999

Choir helps crowd feel the power

African-American tradition of gospel featured in Cathedral Festival of the Arts

By KELLY SCOTT
Times Staff Writer

Singing, swaying, clapping and foot tapping filled St. Mary's Cathedral Friday night as the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir gave St. Cloud a taste of culture.

Part of the Cathedral Festival of the Arts, the show brought singers with different degrees of musical, ethnic and religious backgrounds together to carry on the African-American tradition of gospel music.

"We came from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud to have a good time with you," said the choir's acting director, Sandra Robinson-Hodges.

The third annual festival, which goes through Sunday, is an ecumenical, nonprofit event dedicated to celebrating the feast of the city's patron saint through music, dramatic, culinary, and visual arts within the city.

The Rev. Steve Binsfield, of St. Mary's Cathedral, who has helped coordinate the festival, said he's trying to bring more diverse acts into the festival.

"This is the first year we've had some good, diverse groups," he said.   "We're trying to bring in a little bit more of an international flavor."

And the more than 100 St. Cloud residents who came to the show were having a ball.

Many came out to the show because they were curious about the music.

"It's incredible," said Mari Lynn Clark, a concert-goer.  She and her friend, Kari Makowski, came to find out more about gospel music.

"It's awesome," Makowski said.  "You can feel the power in their voices."

Sandy Webber, another St. Cloud concert-goer, said she thinks more shows that celebrate diversity are needed in St. Cloud.

"It's because we need more culture," Webber said.  "We're too conservative."

Mikki Harris, who went to the show with Webber, agrees.

"This is a beautiful and safe way to learn about each other and God," she said.

Tim Dahl and Benita Robinson, both members of the choir, said they've performed all over the country, in prisons, schools, homeless shelters, and churches.

"St. Cloud audiences are just a little bit quieter than others," Robinson said with a laugh.

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