Heaven in Newark: Lincoln Park Overflowed with Praise at Gospel Night Kickoff

The 20th anniversary of the Lincoln Park Music Festival kicked off in the city of Newark last night with a powerful start to an unforgettable opening week of music, culture, and community celebration. Gospel Night brought together generations as packed crowds sang, danced and worshiped along with Zacardi Cortez, Purcy Robinson, Bre Holly & Faithful, D. Corey Shipley & The Bishop’s Choir, and the legendary John P. Kee.

Zacardi Cortez opened the evening with a commanding performance that set a high bar for the night’s celebration. With his signature blend of vocal power and emotional depth, Cortez immediately engaged the audience, drawing them into a shared experience of praise and reflection. He not only energized the crowd but also established a reverent and joyful tone for the rest of the night.

In one of the night’s most electrifying moments, Bre Holly of the New Jersey-based group Bre Holly & Faithful stepped off the stage and into the crowd, transforming the park into a living sanctuary. As she moved among the festivalgoers, her powerful voice and heartfelt worship ignited a wave of joy and praise that swept through the audience. Blurring the line between performer and participant, Bre Holly & Faithful turned Lincoln Park into a unified chorus of faith and celebration.

Award-winning gospel icon Reverend John P. Kee, widely known as “The Prince of Gospel Music,” headlined the evening with a performance that was both powerful and deeply personal. Recently recovered from a near-fatal illness, Kee shared his testimony of healing and faith before delivering a soul-stirring set that blended traditional gospel with contemporary flair. His commanding presence and timeless hits had the entire park on its feet, a fitting reminder of why he was honored with the 2025 BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music Award.

Additional soul-stirring performers included Shaquan Welch, Purcy Robinson, Professor George Sykes and the City of Newark Brotherhood Ensemble, and Corey Shipley and the Bishop’s Choir.

Last night’s concert was emceed by Councilwoman Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree, Bishop Kevin E. Taylor, and radio personality Toya Beasley, who guided the evening’s celebration with energy and grace. As part of Lincoln Park’s eight-day music festival—one of the largest cultural events in the tri-state area—festival producers Kim Ford and Anthony Smith were honored with official proclamations from both the City of Newark and the Newark Municipal Council, recognizing their decades of dedication and visionary leadership in making the festival a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape.

The Lincoln Park Music Festival is the largest multi-day music festival in the region that pays homage to the African American and Afro-Caribbean diaspora. The festival, part of a citywide coalition of Newark’s most beloved cultural events -- Festivals United Newark (FUN), has become a cultural pillar, fostering community connections while celebrating unity, creativity, and pride.