The second annual Birmingham Arts and Music Festival (BAAMfest!) will feature some of Birmingham’s premier gospel talent in the BAAMfest! Gospel Showcase being held at WorkPlay on Sunday, August 14th beginning at 3:30pm.

The event will be hosted by acclaimed gospel artist Candy West. Candy has traveled the world performing with the likes of P.J. Morton, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Celine Dion, Mary Mary, and Kirk Franklin. Now a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, Candy is the Director of Worship at The Worship Center Christian Church.

“It’s awesome that gospel will be featured at BAAMfest! this year”, says West. “Birmingham has such a versatile gamut of gospel talent. It’s great to offer the people something that will uplift their spirits!”

The BAAMfest! Gospel Showcase will feature performances by the Worship Center Christian Church, Curtis Glenn and Free2Worship, Netra Young, Valerie Giles and more. A BAAMfest! pass is required for admission.

BAAMfest! features more than 200 performances of music spanning all genres, comedy, arts and dance across 21 venues throughout the City of Birmingham. This year’s music venues include: Alys Stephens Center, Barking Kudu, Birmingham Museum of Art, B.O.S.S. Ultra Lounge, Bottletree, German Club, Metro Bar, Pale Eddie’s Pour House, Parkside, Bottletree, Rojo, Rogue Tavern, Speakeasy, Steel, Stillwater, The Nick, Wine Loft, WorkPlay and Zydeco.

New for 2011, BAAMfest! has created an opportunity for the community to experience the City in a different way with Experience Venues, arts and cultural institutions that will host a variety of free programming, including family-friendly events and artist workshops. The Experience Venues are: ArtPlay, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Museum of Art, McWane Center and Vulcan Park.