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Gospel Music Concert & Event News from IMC
IMC's GMC New England Cruise POSTPONED until 2021!
Posted on May 21, 2020
Our team, the artists, along with Inspiration Cruises, has carefully been monitoring this situation with COVID-19 and praying about what God would have us do regarding the safety of our passengers on the upcoming Canada/New England Cruise. On Wednesday, Holland America announced that, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, they have decided to cancel our itinerary as well as several others for the remainder of 2020. Isn’t that just like God to give us our answer? Although we have all been looking forward to this time since the cruise was announced last year, we also know that this is a reminder that God is in control. Nothing surprises God!
So, where do we go from here? Our team, the Gospel Celebration artists and the great staff at Inspiration Cruises have made quick preparations to make this as seamless as possible for you. Over the last two days, we have been able to solidify plans to simply postpone our trip to next year with the dates of Sept 4th– 11th, 2021 on the same ship with the same itinerary, same pricing AND the same artists! Your reservation is already intact, and we have your same cabin held for you. There is nothing you need to do except change your flight plans and lodging! We hope you will still be able to join us for this fantastic journey into Canada/New England.
However, if for some reason you are just not able to join us next year, there is no reason to worry. Simply call the offices at Inspiration Cruises, and we will give you a full refund. Or, if you would rather cruise with us to the Caribbean in February 2021 instead, please ask Inspiration to transfer your reservation. Any difference in cruise fair will be given back to you. We are optimistically looking to the future and trusting in God that this pandemic will be resolved by the end of this year and we can once again celebrate together. One thing is for sure, when we do cruise again, we will be sailing on the cleanest ships with the safest environment ever in the history of cruising.
We care about our passengers, and you are family. We want to make sure we are taking good care of you and hope that you will trust us to look out for your wellbeing just as we are in the handling of this situation.
The Gospel Music Celebration Cruise brand is dedicated to bringing you the very best in Gospel Music on the very best ships, along with the very best team in Christian travel, Inspiration Cruises. We WILL cruise together again…we will laugh together, we will worship together, we will cry together, we will EAT, we will cry, we will eat again and then we will cry again, because we ate again – BUT, we WILL CELEBRATE TOGETHER AGAIN. What a celebration we will have when the day comes that we are together again because of the goodness and faithfulness of God. That is why we call it the Gospel Music Celebration Cruise!
IMC Announced Cruise SOLD OUT in 4 days time!
Posted on September 12, 2019
Johnson City, TN - Last week, IMC Concerts and Inspiration Cruises announced the on-sale date for an exciting cruise through New England and into Canada. This new destination for Gospel Music Celebration is to commemorate its 10-year anniversary. After just four days, IMC President, Landon Beene, has announced that the Gospel Music Celebration Cruise, set to sail September 5-12, 2020, has sold out. “We are thrilled with this news,” Beene states. “Although our cruises almost always sell out, we have never had a cruise to sell out in just four days time. I am overwhelmed, but I am even more proud that our passengers have decided to return to Gospel Music Celebration year after year.”
Steve Dick, Owner and President of Inspiration Cruises echoes the excitement of Beene. "What an amazing couple of days…to sell out the Canada & New England Gospel Music Celebration cruise in record breaking time! Working with Landon Beene and his group of artists is always a privilege for Inspiration Cruises & Tours,” Dick states.
Those still interested in being a part of the 2020 Canada & New England Gospel Music Celebration Cruise are encouraged to contact Inspiration Cruises to be placed on the wait list. “It’s very early, and the Cruise doesn’t sale for a year,” Beene added. We anticipate cancellation, so we encourage those interested in traveling with us to reach out to Inspiration to be added to the wait list.”
Beene also states that plans are already in the works for another New England Cruise. “We have wanted to offer this itinerary for quite a while but it was important that we wait for the right time. Gospel Music Cruises is known for our rotating itineraries. We travel to many different destinations, and we will definitely be planning to return to New England either in 2022 or 2023,” Beene states.
IMC offered its first cruise option to Southern Gospel Music lovers in 2010. Over the past 10 years, Gospel Music Celebration cruises presented by IMC and Inspiration Cruises have historically sold out as Southern Gospel Music lovers have enjoyed trips to such picturesque destinations as the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska and Hawaii.
As Beene stated prior to the on-sale date for the Canada & New England Cruise, the newest destination offered by IMC, limited cabins are available for this exciting Gospel Music Celebration, and Beene was not surprised that the event sold out; however, he was surprised at how quickly it did sell out. “Space is limited to only 650 passengers, so we expected this cruise to sell out very quickly, and we encouraged Southern Gospel Music lovers to book their reservations early; however, I must admit that I had no idea it would sell out this quickly. We are thrilled,” Beene says.
The 2020 Canada New England Gospel Music Celebration will feature many of the most popular groups in Southern Gospel Music, including the Booth Brothers, The Collingsworth Family, Greater Vision, Legacy Five and Triumphant Quartet, as well as fan favorite, renown speaker, Dennis Swanberg.
To obtain complete information about the 2020 Canada & New England Gospel Music Celebration and to be placed on the wait list for this exciting event, call 888-245-4284 or visit www.GospelMusicCelebration.com.
IMC Announces New GMC Cruise Itinerary to New England & Canada
Posted on September 3, 2019
Johnson City, TN - Southern Gospel Music lovers will have another option for cruising on the high seas in 2020. IMC Concerts has announced plans for the Gospel Music Celebration to set sail through New England and into Canada. This new destination for Gospel Music Celebration is to commemorate its 10-year anniversary.
IMC offered its first cruise option to Southern Gospel Music lovers in 2010. Over the past 10 years, Gospel Music Celebration cruises presented by IMC and Inspiration Cruises have historically sold out as Southern Gospel Music lovers have enjoyed trips to such picturesque destinations as the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska and Hawaii. “For many years we have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Steve Dick and the great staff at Inspiration Cruises,” states IMC Concerts and GMC President, Landon Beene. “We have partnered with Inspiration to provide the best experience for our passengers from the point of reservation until our passengers walk of the ship. We are delighted to offer this trip to a new destination.”
The Gospel Music Celebration Canada New England Cruise will set sail aboard Holland America’s MS Amsterdam from historic Boston, MA, on September 5 and will return to Quebec City, Canada on September 12 with stops in Bar Harbor, ME, Halifax Nova Scotia, Sydney, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. “Boston and the New England area have such a rich history,” Beene states. “Additionally, it is a beautiful area, especially in the fall of the year. We are delighted to offer this option as a new destination. In fact, it is something our passengers have asked us to offer. We always listen to our passengers and take their requests into consideration when planning trips. There was such an overwhelming success to our first cruise we planned 10 years ago to the Mexican Riviera, then our travelers wanted to go to Alaska, then the Caribbean, then Hawaii. Trips to those destinations have been so successful so we felt it was time to take our friends on a journey of a lifetime to the beautiful New England region. We are looking forward to another sold out Gospel Music Celebration.”
As Beene states, limited cabins are available for this exciting Gospel Music Celebration. “Space is limited to only 650 passengers, so we expect this cruise to sell out very quickly. We encourage Southern Gospel Music lovers to book their reservations very soon,” Been says.
The 2020 Canada New England Gospel Music Celebration will feature many of the most popular groups in Southern Gospel Music, including the Booth Brothers, The Collingsworth Family, Greater Vision, Legacy Five and Triumphant Quartet, as well as fan favorite, renown speaker, Dennis Swanberg.
Make plans now to be a part of the 2020 Canada New England Gospel Music Celebration, which sails September 5-12. Reservations will be accepted beginning at 10:00am (Central) on Monday, September 9. To obtain complete information call 888-245-4284 or visit www.GospelMusicCelebration.com
IMC Announces NEW FALL EVENT in Branson MO!
Posted on August 1, 2019
Johnson City, TN - Prominent concert promotions company, IMC has announced plans to present a new Praisefest event in Branson, MO, in the fall of 2020. Eight years ago the successful promotions team conceived the idea of presenting an exciting weekend of Gospel music in the Ozark Mountains town of Branson, MO, a city that is famously known for its diverse entertainment theaters. That first year the event took place at the state-of-the-art Mansion Theatre.
Due to the overwhelming success of the event, which has been held annually each Spring for the past seven years, IMC Concerts has announced plans to produce a Praisefest event that will also take place in the Fall of the year. The new Praisefest Branson Fall Retreat will take place October 26 through 28, 2020, and will also be held at the Mansion Theater. “We think this new event will be a great choice for people who have told us their schedules simply will not allow them to come to our Spring event,” states IMC President Landon Beene. “We also believe many of the people who attend Praisefest Branson every year in March will want to come back again for the Fall Retreat because they love it so much.”
The 2020 Praisefest Branson Fall Retreat will include performances by such popular recording artists as Greater Vision, The Triumphant Quartet, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, The Whisnants, The Perrys, Brian Free & Assurance, The Nelons, The Ball Brothers, Joseph Habedank and The Erwins. Renown speaker, Jim Cymbala, Pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY, will also be featured, as well as popular singer/songwriter and Christian comedian, Mark Lowry. “We’re really excited to be able to provide another opportunity for people to get together for a few days to enjoy some great Gospel music, lots of laughs, great fellowship and wonderful worship experiences in a unique atmosphere,” states Greater Vision’s Gerald Wolfe.
“This event has the potential to be the largest Gospel music event of its kind in the Midwest during the Fall season,” Beene states. “We are expecting seating to fill quickly so we are recommending people reserve their seats sooner, rather than later.” Registrations for this new event will begin Monday, October 7, 2019.
Make plans now to be a part first ever of the 2020 Praisefest Branson Fall Retreat. Complete information regarding the event is available at www.imcconcerts.com or www.PraisefestBranson.com.
IMC CONCERTS ANNOUNCES RETURN OF SOUTHWEST GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL TO ARIZONA
Posted on July 15, 2019
Johnson City, TN - Since 2012, the Southwest Gospel Music Festival has grown to become one of the most exciting multi-day gospel music events to take place west of the Mississippi River. Following the 2018 event IMC learned that GCU would no longer be able to serve as host for the event, due to the rapid growth of the University and the demands of the facility. “We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Grand Canyon University and the facility directors since we first began the event in 2012,” states IMC Concerts President, Landon Beene. “Over the past few years we have seen the University grow by leaps and bounds, which is wonderful; however, as a result, the Southwest Gospel Music Festival was left without a home. We have spent tireless efforts over the past year to find just the right home for future SWGM Festivals.”
Those efforts have resulted in the move to the beautiful Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, AZ. This elaborate facility seats just under 1700 and will serve as home for the 2020 Southwest Gospel Music Festival, which will take place Monday, January 6 through Wednesday, January 8. “There is nothing like a beautiful, intimate theatre for Gospel Music,” Beene states. “Every seat in this Theatre has an unobstructed view of the stage with perfectly engineered acoustics. The sound quality is superb. It was designed for concerts and created to be a performance hall, so many of the issues we have had in the past in an arena setting will no longer be an issue in a facility like the Ikeda Theatre. It is very important to IMC to keep the quality and brand of our events high. It was for this reason that we decided to forego hosting the event in 2019 until we could find the perfect venue, and we believe we have definitely done that by bringing the event to the Ikeda Theatre.”
As with Southwest Gospel Music Festivals of the past, IMC Concerts will be bringing the most popular groups in Southern Gospel Music to Mesa for the event. This list includes The Booth Brothers, The Hoppers, Legacy Five, Greater Vision, The Triumphant Quartet, The Martins, Tribute Quartet, Liberty Quartet, Keepers of the Faith and renown speaker/comedian, Dennis Swanberg. “The greater Phoenix area has been strong for Gospel music through the years and it still is,” states Hoppers’ member, Dean Hopper. “This is one of the many reasons why IMC proudly chose Phoenix as the Southwest Gospel Music Festival home in the first place. Now, with a new venue and many favorite artists, we are thrilled to be coming back! We thank our patrons and attendees of this event for the show of support.”
According to IMC, the format of the programs will change a bit with the 2020 event. “We are bringing top tier Southern Gospel groups to the event, but they will have longer sets. Rather than a group being given 15-20 minutes on stage, they will each be featured at least once during the event for a 40-minute set. This will allow the opportunity for the attendee to get a better glimpse of who the artist really is and what they have to offer. Our plan is to have three to four artists per session with longer time slots,” Beene explains. “We have consolidated our sessions to the afternoon and evenings only with a break between for our guests to enjoy a nice dinner and return to the venue for the evening session.”
Tickets for the 2020 Southwest Gospel Music Festival, which takes place January 6-8 at the Ikeda Theatre at the Mesa Arts Center, will go on sale August 10. Make plans now to be a part of the 2020 event. Complete information is available at http://www.imcconcerts.com/event.php?id=187 or by calling 480-644-6500.