BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Norristown &ndash\; On Saturday\, June 23\, 2012\, The Living Ground Ministries/Reflections News Magazine will host the tenth event o f Norristown&rsquo\;s Bicentennial Celebration:  \;the Gospel\, Jazz &\; Blues Festival at Elmwood Park\, Harding Boulevard - from noon u ntil 6:00 p.m.\n \;\nFeaturing both local and national musical artis ts\, the Gospel\, Jazz &\; Blues Festival has something for the whole family\; contemporary and traditional gospel music\, jazz and blues fav orites\, vendors and food.\n \;\n&ldquo\;Norristown is a borough ful l of residents from many diverse cultures yet they all share one thing i n common\; the desire to live in a community where peace and harmony exi sts regardless of the native origin\,&rdquo\; said Scott.\n \;\nPure Springs Gospel recording artist\, Vicki Yohe\, will grace the crowd wit h her hit single\, &ldquo\;Because Of Who You Are&rdquo\; and additional songs. Vicki has ministered in various parts of Africa\, Europe\, and A sia and alongside some of today&rsquo\;s well-known pastors and evangeli sts such as Bill Winston\, Juanita Bynum\, Benny Hinn\, TD Jakes\, Kenne th Copeland\, Creflo Dollar\, Darlene Bishop and Paula White. \; Pur e Springs Gospel is a CeCe Winans company.\n \;\nThe Gospel\, Jazz & amp\; Blues Festival and each Bicentennial activity commemorates not onl y the history of Norristown but the gifts\, talents\, and abilities of t he residents who live here today\,&rdquo\; said Howard Scott editor-in-c hief of Reflections News Magazine.\n \;\nMusical artist Keith &ldquo \;Wonderboy&rdquo\; Johnson\, a Stellar award winner\, will pay tribute to Thomas A. Dorsey\, &ldquo\;the Father of Gospel Music&rdquo\; with re nditions of Dorsey&rsquo\;s compilations including a longtime gospel fav orite entitled\, Take My Hand\, Precious Lord. \; Dorsey\, originall y a musician in Ma Rainey&rsquo\;s &ldquo\;Wild Cats Jazz Band&rdquo\; c reated and coined a new type of music he called gospel after the tragic death of his switched over to a new form of music he coined &rdquo\;gosp el&rdquo\; after the death of his wife and son during childbirth.\n  \;\n&ldquo\;I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expres sion of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what c ulture we're from\, everyone loves music\,&rdquo\; said pianist\, songwr iter and composer of Piano Man\,&rdquo\; recording artist\, Billy Joel.  \; Additional entertainers performing at this year&rsquo\;s Gospel \, Jazz &\; Blues Festival include: \; Latrel Maloy\, who&rsquo\; s latest single is &ldquo\;Sunshine in the Morning&rdquo\;\; Mary Moore from Raleigh North Carolina\, Paul King Latham\, Markaan Smith\, and loc al artists The Bailout Adult Jazz Ensemble\, and Easy Does It.\n \;\ nSponsors of the Norristown Bicentennial are the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau\, Conicelli Autoplex\, Norristown Ministerium\, Wel ls Fargo\, Reflections\, Telemundo\, El Zol\, Keystone Mercy Health Plan \, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network\, The Times Herald\, Channel 6 Gos pel News\, PECO\, Law Offices of Cullen and Conwell\, LLC\, Citizens Ban k\, Bimbo Bakeries and ARS Premium Foods.\n \;\nNorristown&rsquo\;s Crystalline Studios will have a videographer or two on hand at the Gospe l\, Jazz &\; Blues Festival to interview spectators\, vendors\, and e ntertainers for inclusion in footage of preceding Bicentennial events.\n  \;\nFuture Bicentennial events in 2012 include: \; on June 16th a History Day at Selma Mansion\, a Norristown Rally for Youth at Norris town PAL Center\, and a Juneteenth Celebration of Black History at the C entre Theater\; July 4th Parade and Fireworks\; an August 4th and 5th Bo cce Tournament at Elmwood Park\; a September 5th Mexican Independence Da y Celebration at Astor Plaza\; on September 26th a Pennsylvania State Fi remen&rsquo\;s Convention Parade\; on September 29th &ndash\; the Bicent ennial Closing Ceremony.\n \;\nFor up to date information or queries about the Gospel Jazz &\; Blues Festival log onto www.mlkstat.com or call (973)332-7626. \;\n \;\nFor Information regarding past and future Bicentennial events log onto www.norristown200.com. URL:http://pottstown.patch.com/events/norristown-bicentennial-gospel-jazz -blues-festival SUMMARY:Norristown Bicentennial Gospel Jazz &\; Blues Festival LOCATION:Elmwood Park: 1661 Harding Blvd\, Norristown\, PA END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR