REO Speedwagon and Eddie Money are names that go hand-in-hand with A Taste of Minnesota. But along with these headliners at this year’s Taste, 22 Christian acts will join the state’s largest free festival on the Heart of the City Christian Stage – an all-new concept for 2008. Performances will run from July 3-6 on Harriet Island, located next to the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul.

“This is a great addition to this year’s A Taste of Minnesota, and shows the diversity of this festival and our community,” said John Labosky, president of the Capital City Partnership, which owns Taste.

The Christian Stage is being coordinated by Heart of the City Ministries, a local nonprofit organization in its 12th year of bringing Christian music and messages focused on unity to Minnesota audiences. The musicians represent a wide variety of world ethnicities such as Hispanic, African-American, Hmong, Brazilian, and others. They also have diverse styles, ranging from rock to gospel to reggae. Most of the acts are from the Twin Cities area; all are from Minnesota.

“Taste has always prided itself on providing positive family entertainment, which is exactly what the Christian Stage is all about,” said Ron Maddox, Taste’s general manager. “We’re proud to offer something different, and we hope that everyone who comes to Taste for our tried-and-true festivities also take in the Christian entertainment.”

The Christian Stage will be in a tent on the east side of the Taste festival grounds. The space will hold 700-800 people.

“The Christian music scene is thriving in Minnesota, but it is mostly heard in church or religious settings and typically in settings of the same ethnicity. So we felt like A Taste of Minnesota would be a great context to reach a much broader audience,” said Dan Adler, founder of Heart of the City Ministries. “I think many people will be pleasantly surprised by the upbeat, uplifting, and high-quality music that they will hear.”

Schedule for Heart of the City Christian Stage

• Thursday, July 3

3 p.m. – Mark Arneson & Friends – Contemporary Praise Band

4:30 p.m. – Spiritual Life Choir & Friends – Gospel

6 p.m. – Jodie Sellers Band – R&B Gospel

7:30 p.m. – Ebony Jefferson and Kingdom Rhythms – Soul Rock

9 p.m. – Myrrh – Pop Rock

• Friday, July 4

1:30 p.m. – Peder Eide Band – Pop Rock

3 p.m. – Gregory Washington and Voices of Praise – Gospel Choir

4:30 p.m. – Fruto – Brazilian Praise Band

6 p.m. – Darnell Davis and the Remnant – Urban Contemporary

7:30 p.m. – Ryan Daniel and Spirit of David – Reggae/Dancehall

9 p.m. – Heart of the City – Ethnically and Stylistically Diverse Band

• Saturday, July 5

1:30 p.m. – Puente De Vida – Hispanic Praise Band

3 p.m. – ABC Youth Choir – Gospel

4:30 p.m. – Global Worship Movement – Dance with Gospel Fusion

6 p.m. – For Zions Sake – Davidic Music and Dance Ensemble

7:30 p.m. – Heart of the City – Ethnically and stylistically diverse band

9 p.m. – Sara Renner and the Elements – R&B Gospel

• Sunday, July 6

1:30 p.m. – Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir – Praise and Worship

3 p.m. – Lee Her Band – Hmong Worship Band

4:30 p.m. – Capestany – Reggaeton (Spanish)

6 p.m. Grupo Nueva Revelacion – Hispanic Praise Band

7:30 p.m. – Silverline – Heavy Rock

9 p.m. – Joel Hanson Band – Pop Rock

About Heart of the City Ministries

Heart of the City Ministries aims to unite Christians and break patterns of racial and denominational division through music, education, and gatherings of worship and prayer. Each month, Heart of the City Ministries hosts a worship celebration in Minneapolis or St. Paul. These celebrations are oriented toward families of all ages as well as singles, youth and children.