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The Voices of El Shaddai: Our Roots. Our Voices. Our Journey.
July 26, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$41
AWARD-WINNING GOSPEL CHOIR
JULY 26 • 7:30PM
Whether you’re a devoted fan or just learning about these Lowcountry icons, you don’t want to miss the Voices of El Shaddai performing on July 26. The award-winning gospel choir is back at the Arts Center to wow audiences with their praise-worthy performance, Our Roots. Our Voices. Our Journey.
The “voices” first came together in the early 1990s, when a handful of all-star singers from local churches decided they had more songs to sing and more joy to share than that which could be contained in a Sunday service. Since then, El Shaddai has been lifting spirits for nearly thirty years and the Hilton Head arts scene has been undoubtedly enriched because of it.
While audiences can always expect transcendent harmonies and powerhouse vocals at their shows, El Shaddai’s mission extends beyond their soulful sound. The gospel group is also committed to advocating, educating, and maintaining Gullah Geechee musical art forms and culture.
The story of the Gullah people began between the late 17th and the mid-18th century, as thousands of enslaved Africans survived the middle passage to reach south Atlantic shores. Due to the relative isolation of the Sea Islands like Hilton Head Island, these Western Africans were able to preserve their own languages, dialects, and thus many African traditions. Thanks to perseverance of Native Islanders, the Gullah legacy has not only survived, but still flourishes today.
Since 75% of the El Shaddai are Native Islanders and several are multi-generational, their unique repertoire blends the songs of traditional spirituals and contemporary gospel, while incorporating the vibrant history of Gullah Geechee.
Our Roots. Our Voices. Our Journey. — their upcoming show — celebrates the group’s beginnings, their evolution, and a spirit of renewal. Interspersed between songs, performers will share anecdotes, histories, and musings about what has led the El Shaddai to this present moment and what will galvanize them toward tomorrow.
