Freehold to host gospel concert
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD — Rock and roll will give way to gospel in this week's concert at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Annex parking lot.

The Freehold Center Partnership's weekly summer show usually features a rock band, but this week visitors to the borough will find something new from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 14.

Al Jenkins, who owns Re/Max Realtors, and Torna Brown, who owns Blessing for You, Freehold Township, collaborated in an effort to bring an evening of gospel music to the parking lot between Main and Lafayette streets.

Re/Max and Blessing For You are sponsoring the show and will provide information about the services they offer.

Brown, who is a resident of Jackson, said, "We wanted to bring programs and events to Freehold that would appeal to the diversity of the town. We are looking forward to a good turnout."

The church gospel choirs which are scheduled to perform on Aug. 14 are from the Abundant Life Church of God, Freehold Township; Bethel AME Church, Freehold Township; Community Refuge Church, Englishtown; New Hope Baptist Church, Freehold Borough; Second Baptist Church, Matawan; and the Excited Holy Echoes of Freehold Borough.

Brown said the Freehold Music Center, Freehold Township, will provide sound equipment for the show.

Rich Gatto, the CEO of the Freehold Center Partnership, said, "This second annual gospel concert is part of our evolving music program. Freehold has a number of houses of worship and we are proud to give them a platform to entertain and inspire downtown visitors. Gospel music is heritage music; it is spiritual, uplifting, with soaring vocals. It is sure to be a memorable event."