Rivals Unite: UF and FSU gospel choirs join for unity concert
Oct. 19, 2016
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In light of the racial tension our country has experienced this year, two of Florida’s oldest rival universities will come together for a unity gospel concert on Saturday, Nov. 5.
University of Florida and the Florida State gospel choirs will join for their fall concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the UF campus. UF President Kent Fuchs will commence the event, which includes performances by gospel recording artist Jovonta Patton.
As the two rivals join musical forces, they encourage people of all ages, ethnicities and genders to come together for a night of harmony and solidarity, said event organizer and choir member Sanethia Thomas, a doctoral student with UF’s computer and information science and engineering department.
“We hope the event will provide an opportunity for students and the community to gather in honor of both victims of racial violence and local law enforcement officers who are working hard to build peace,” Thomas said. “We want to bridge differences and foster positivity and peace through music.”
The concert is free and tickets (limit 4 per person) will be available at the Phillips Center box office beginning Wednesday, Nov. 2. There will be reserved seating for law enforcement the night of the event. The event is sponsored by the UF Office of the Provost.
University of Florida News Center http://www.news.ufl.edu|
******************************
The University of Florida is one of the nation’s largest public universities. A member of the Association of American Universities, UF posted research expenditures totaling $708 million in FY 2015. Through its research and other activities, UF contributes more than $12.56 billion a year to Florida’s economy and has a total employment impact of more than 135,000 jobs statewide. Find us at www.ufl.edu, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/UniversityofFlorida, and learn about UF’s plan to become one of the nation’s top public research universities at ufpreeminence.org.
