Oakland’s Oracle Arena was filled floor to ceiling this past Saturday as more than 20,000 gospel music devotees danced in the aisles and raised voices to the sweet sounds of the Bay Area’s finest soul stirring, church choirs during How Sweet the Sound - a Verizon experience and nationwide search for the best church choir in America

By Tuseda A. Graggs, shades Magazine

As the Art & Soul Festival celebrates its 10th year, it is also celebrating its expansion in becoming one of the summer’s premier concerts. It now spans two days and brings thousands from across the country into Oakland’s Civic Center. But this wasn’t always the case.

Bishop Walter Hawkins, one of the Bay Area's most-renowned Gospel artists, died this weekend. He was 61 years old and battling pancreatic cancer.

Although it’s been almost two weeks since the legendary Bishop Walter Hawkins died and less than a week since a public tribute and funeral were held for him, Oaklanders and gospel fans around the globe are still feeling the impact of his loss.