by Charissa Ricker | Oct 17, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Lipscomb welcomed some of the biggest names in Christian music for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards Tuesday for a night of celebrating music and worshipping God. Gospel Music Association President Jacki Patillo introduced the theme for the evening as “Reverent Wonder,” based on Luke 5:26. Artists throughout the night spoke on what the theme meant to them and how it impacted their music. For King and Country kicked off the evening with a performance from their new album Burn the Ships, which just reached No. 7 on the Gospel Music Chart. Joel and Luke Smallbone spoke on the inspiration for the album and how important it is to know when to move on. Despite the heavy topic, the pair hope to create a dynamic show. “Art is meant to be creative and lawless and exciting,” Joel Smallbone said. “Hopefully with the show and with the record you feel that sense.” Video Package by Erin Franklin and Cavin Jacobson Cory Asbury takes home first Dove Award of the evening Cory Asbury took home the first Dove Award of the evening for Song of the Year for his song “Reckless Love.” The artist started tearing up on stage as he accepted his award as he reflected on the challenges that led him here. “Isn’t it just like the Lord to take our failures and turn it into something beautiful,” Asbury said. After performing during the show, the rising star took home the “Worship Song of the Year” award as well as the “Worship Album of the Year.” He shared how his song has impacted people struggling with suicidal thoughts and...
by Anna Rogers | Oct 17, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, Galleries
For the sixth consecutive year, the GMA Dove Awards were hosted on Lipscomb’s campus. Multiple Christian and gospel musicians performed in Allen Arena Tuesday night and were awarded for their songs, albums, films and more. Below are Anna Rogers’s photos from the red carpet: ...
by Kathryn Farris | Oct 12, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift shared a post on her Instagram on Sunday giving support to Tennessee Senate Candidate Phil Bredesen and House of Representatives Incumbent Jim Cooper. This post marked one of the first times Swift has publicly addressed her personal political views. “I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.” said Swift in the caption. She went on to cite Republican Candidate Marsha Blackburn’s congressional voting history as a major factor in her vote for Bredesen. The endorsement caused both backlash and praise. While many rejoiced at Swift’s support for liberal candidates and policies, conservatives argued that Swift should keep entertainment away from politics. On Monday, President Donald Trump commented on Swift’s endorsement for Bredeson to White House reporters by noting, “Let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now.” Nashville news station WSMV conducted a poll Monday morning, asking Twitter followers whether they allow celebrity political endorsements to affect their vote. An overwhelming majority — 95 percent of respondents — denied celebrity endorsements being a factor in their choices at the polls. But due to Swift’s massive following, this post could cause more people to register to vote. With an Instagram following of more than 112 million, Taylor Swift is one of the most influential celebrities in the world. Vote.org told Buzzfeed News that since Swift’s post Monday, more than 65,000 voters have registered nationally, including 2,144 voters registered in Tennessee. The majority of the newly registered voters fall into the average age range...
by Sara Jones | Oct 11, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
As one of the longest-running Broadway plays, “The Play That Goes Wrong” has entertained audiences for several years now. Last night’s premiere at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center was no exception. Before the play begins, the cast has audience members reeling with laughter. As everyone took their seats, stagehands hurriedly worked to finish the set on stage, which continued to “fall apart.” One audience member is even called on stage to hold up a mantlepiece that refuses to stay on the wall. To help set the scene, Chris Bean proudly introduces “Murder of Haversham Manor,” a whodunit being produced by the inexperienced Cornley University Drama Society. He shares with the audience previous plays the society has put on including “The Lion and the Wardrobe” and “Cat” — an indication to the quality of performance the audience will witness. Although cast members forget their cues, props go missing and the set comes crashing down, “The Play That Goes Wrong” features many skilled actors and actresses. In fact, the actors are very good at being bad. The hilarious banter and sometimes shocking physical requirements of the play grabbed the audience’s attention. At one point in the evening, a part of the set is knocked down and leaves two cast members balancing themselves to avoid falling. This scene caused many audible gasps and left the crowd impressed with the strenuous effort involved. This hilarious play is sure to captivate a wide variety of audience members and provide a great night of entertainment. Rating: 4 out of 4 For more information on how to get tickets, visit TPAC’s website and follow them on...
by Charissa Ricker | Oct 10, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
If you are a returning student this year, you’ll probably remember that it’s almost time for Allen Arena to roll out the red carpet and welcome 2018’s biggest Christian artists for the 49th Annual Dove awards on October 16th. The GMA Dove Awards will be hosting its 6th annual show on Lipscomb’s campus starting with the red carpet walk. The Gospel Music Association just announced the all-star presenters for this year’s show with familiar names such as Bill Gaither, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West and several other previous winners. The performance lineup for this year’s awards features some of the biggest names in Christian music such as Lauren Daigle, Newsboys, Rascal Flatts and, a Lipscomb favorite, For King and Country. Among the top artists are this year’s rising stars Cory Asbury, Tori Kelly and several other performers. This year’s nominees have been released with a big spotlight on the Song of the Year and Artist of the Year awards. The songs “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury and “So Will I” by Hillsong Music are the favorites this year for the Song of the Year Award. Both have also been nominated for Worship song of the year. Notable artists NEEDTOBREATHE, Hillsong UNITED and MercyMe are the favorites for this year’s Artist of the Year Award. With Cory Asbury and Mosaic MSC pulling ahead for New Artist of the Year. Several Lipscomb students are volunteering in a variety of roles, such a “seat fillers” for the Dove Awards. Make sure to watch for parking updates as spaces are reserved and campus is flooded with award attendees. Keep up with Lumination for continued...
by George Wong | Oct 9, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Lipscomb’s school of music hosted its first student concert of the year Monday night, where the University Wind Ensemble performed at Collins Auditorium. Dr. Benjamen Blasko who was both host and conductor of the event displayed a contagious passion for the music being performed. Blasko, who recently moved to Nashville from the University of Dubuque in Iowa, is now Lipscomb’s newest director of bands, and instrumental studies. “This is the first concert directed by Dr. Benjamen Blasko,” junior choral music education major Payton Dishman said. “He’s new, so this is something that none of us know what to expect. It’s all new and exciting, we all can’t wait to hear it.” The concert began with Awaken Fanfare, which was a dramatic entry that set the tone for the rest of the night. A Little Three Penny Music I and II would be a Jazz inspired piece that was heartfelt, jubilant and playful. The Wind Ensemble would then go on to spice up the event with Strange Humors. “(It) has as a Middle Eastern flare and is quite aggressive,” said Benjamen Blasko after the engaging performance that utilized drums. Music students Ben Van Maarth on the guitar and Piper Smith on the electric bass were featured in the concerts final piece “Chaos Theory,” which was be a epic marriage of heavy metal and classical music that left the crowd in a standing ovation. The band then closed out the night by playing “Amazing Grace,” where the crowd joined in song. Blasko emphasized his want for communion, and unity through music at the beginning. The night finished with food being provided...
