WS Chronicle

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Guest vocalist Elliott D. Lowery

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1075 Shalimar Dr., will hold its sixth annual Christmas Candlelight Service on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at 1075 Shalimar Drive. Rev. Dr. John Mendez is pastor.

The sacred candlelight service re-focuses the emphasis from commercialism to the true meaning of Christmas and the miracle of Christ’s birth. The candlelight service will consist of selected Bible readings and dramatizations.

The service will feature special guest vocalist Elliott D. Lowery, founder of the Winston-Salem Performing Arts Alliance and the Christian Theatre Alliance.

Lowery is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University and Jackson State University in Mississippi where he received a BS and Master’s degree in Music. He is an accomplished vocalist, choreographer and play-wright and has performed extensively locally, nationally and internationally.

During his distinguished musical career, he toured with New York Stage Originals and in Europe with Glory of Gospel and served as the Assistant Director for the European tour of Mahalia.  In television, Lowery played the role of Hermance in the PBS movie “Shift.”  As a director and choreographer, he has direct-ed and choreographed productions for Melinda’s Magic Show in Las Vegas, as well as performances of “Ain’t Misbehavin” and “Godspell.”

He has written the musical “Building God’s House,” the Reuben K. Mildred T. Hash Story.  Lowery has been an educator for the past 22 years in schools in Las Vegas, Nev. and Bronx, New York. Currently he teaches music for the WS/FC Schools system.

The MBVC String Quartet will also serve as special guests for the candlelight service. The group consists of four UNC School of the Arts high school students: Violet Huang (viola), Bella Ward (violin), Michele Zimmerman (violin), and Christina Kim (cello). They are from Chapel Hill, Durham, and Fayetteville.

Praise dance will be performed by Tayllor Sherese Miles, a senior at West Forsyth, where she is a member of the National Dance Honor Society. Tayllor is a member of the Positive Image Performing Arts Dance Studio’s senior competitive team. She was chosen to dance for the Royal Expressions Ballet Company in Greensboro.

The Emmanuel Drama Ministry will dramatize scenes of Christ’s birth and the Tots Choir will render musical selections. The service will also feature a musical selection by the Emmanuel Hand Bell Ministry.

In the Emmanuel tradition, this ceremony of music, dance, readings and dramatizations create a worship experience with an inspirational message of hope, healing, blessing and joy.

For more information, call 336-788-7023.