The Phillips Center for the Performing Arts was transformed into a church Friday night when about 800 people attended the University Gospel Choir’s annual Gospel Extravaganza.
The Rev. David E. Richardson raised his hands in prayer and encouraged the audience to do the same as the voices of the choir filled the auditorium.
“We want the Holy Spirit to transform this theater into a sanctuary,” Richardson said. “This is not a show.”
Gospel artist Ricky Dillard and the New Generation Chorale, nominated for a Grammy in 1991 for its album “The Promise,” sang at the event.
Dillard also offered religious advice to the audience.
He described how his house burned down in 2007 and how his faith helped him to recover.
“If you think you have a hard time living with God, I dare you to try living without God,” Dillard said.
Maria Thompson, a UF law student, said she left the concert feeling inspired.
“As a Christian, it really touched me,” she said.
Thompson said merging preaching with song and dance made the performance multi-dimensional.
The concert began with a slide show of Haiti earthquake victims, a contemporary ballet performance and a choral ensemble.
An ensemble member wiped tears from her cheeks after the first song.
Then the choir, with about 40 members, filled the stage in blue choral robes.
They clapped, swayed and danced to songs such as “Our God is an Awesome God” and “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
In the middle of the concert, the beat picked up and the choir broke out in dance, becoming an undulating sea of blue.
“Dance. Fire in my bones. Spirit take control,” sang the choir.
Later, Dillard joined the choir in song and jumped around the stage in a silver three-piece suit.
Rashel Johnson, a UF law alumna, said the purpose of the event was to emphasize how important it is to praise God.
She said the concert gave her an opportunity to praise God while having a lot of fun.
“It allowed me to be reflective,” Johnson said.
