Experience an uplifting afternoon of gospel music and storytelling with two of the Pacific Northwest’s most soulful voices, Toni Hill and LaRhonda Steele. In Songs of the Spirit: A Gospel Celebration, this concert celebrates the spiritual power of gospel as both a musical form and a cultural legacy that has carried generations through struggle, faith, and freedom. This event includes a short presentation on the history of gospel music in America, tracing its journey from African spiritual traditions and the deep south to its influence on soul, R&B, and hip hop.
LaRhonda Steele, Director of the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and a cornerstone of Portland’s jazz and gospel scene, brings decades of musical excellence and vocal power. Together, Hill and Steele create a vibrant, moving performance that honors heritage, harmony, and healing. Following the concert, the artists will host a Q&A discussion.