«Play in Light»: 100% for God, every step of the way!!!

On the 16th of May, there took place in the city of Dnepropetrovsk a huge event in the world of Christian Music: The festival “Play in Light” Alpha and Omega organized the whole event with Yan Batshev at the head, who was the first to come up with this idea to begin with!

Many teams from other cities came to take part, in fact the majority were from outside of Dnepropetrovsk: There was “Ekklesia” (Zaporozhe), “Volume Control” (Melitopol), “Dream Seven Days” (Shostka), “Basilik” (Nikolaev). And it goes without saying that our beloved and well-known bands from Dnepro were there; “X-Press”, “Red Letters” and “For You”.

To help with the judging as part of the jury we invited some famous people, not only musicians, mind you… Journalist and president of the Association of Journalists “Novomedia” – Ruslan Kukharchuk, Administrative director of the “Alpha and Omega” Student Centre – Nikolay Slobodyanyuk, Keyboardist to the Christian band “New Jerusalem” – Vadim Kalatsey, Popular Christian singer – Tat’yana Shilova, and the musician and composer – Stepan Vasilishin!

The main goal of «Play in Light» was to start an association across Ukraine of Christian musicians whose task will be the creation of new relationships between musicians and their audience, and to present opportunities for Christian musicians to realize their potential. The mission of this project is to serve God by helping musicians who praise Christ in the realization of their goals.

The concert was held as a charity promotion, being that all the proceeds from merchandise sales went to support orphanages.

In the morning of the day of the festival, all the musical participants had the opportunity to speak with our BIP guests (the members of the jury). Everyone nervously asked their questions about music and the media and the guests answered them, giving some advice from their personal experience and encouraged the young musicians.

The festival brought joy to absolutely everyone involved: from the mellow crooners to the true hard-rock lovers! The warm, inviting atmosphere created the feeling of being at a real music celebration! All the bands played in very different musical genres: there were elements of Jazz, Funk, Hard Rock and even Rap! The audience had the privilege of hearing the sounds of “Volume Control” and “Ekklesia”. They had the chance to get hyped up with “Dream Seven Days” and see real professionalism and performance by “Basilik”. They heard songs performed by their writers in the group “X-Press” and enjoyed the performance given by “For You”. Finally they rode a major wave of excitement listening to “Red Letters”!!!

During the concert, not one of the musicians used a phonogram (recorded music) – the ability to play live without recordings is highly valued in today’s music industry, especially at such a large venue! Amazing special effects, live sound, and great music – this is all credited to the success of the music festival “Play in Light”!!! At the conclusion of the evening, each band received an award: the award ‘Most artistic’ was given to “Basilik”, ‘Best self-written and performed song’ – “X-Press”, ‘Jury’s choice’ – “For You”, ‘Best performance’ – “Volume Control”, ‘Best audience attraction’ “Red Letters”. The band “Dream Seven Days” won a prize for the most energetic group and “Ekklesia” won for ‘Best vocals’!

It goes without saying that the jury was also given some attention!! Each one had some time to speak, or sing as was the case with Tatyana Shilova. She sang for us one of her new songs from her latest album!

At the end of the festival we had an organized autograph session where everyone who wanted to could get an authentic signature on a poster of their favourite band!

After the festival “Play in Light” you could say everything came to its conclusion! Although, this is just the beginning!!! After all, a good story has the ability to continue its tale!!!

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the people who took part in the preparation of this festival, but specifically:
- Michael Zhovnir, Nikolay Slobodyanyuk and Aleksey Navrotskiy for their support and organization of the festival;
- Yan Batshev – Project President;
- Iliya Koryaka and Yulia Batsheva for their work on an outstanding design and Advertising material;
- Anna Maksimova (Artistic decoration);
- Aleksey Zyryanov (Responsible for sound check);
- Nina Alekseyeva (PR Manager);
- Anna Busarova I Vadim Chumachenko (Assistant PR Managers);
- Sergey Vasik (Technical security and transportation service);
- Svyatoslav Iotko (Sound board);
- Yuliya Pokudina (housing coordinator for guests and visiting musicians);
- Vlad Shamayda (welcoming committee for jury members);
- Аleksandr Кurilenko (catering);
- Yevgeniy Onishenko (volunteer coordinator);
- Viktor Iotko (TV-ministry);
- Ekaterina Bovshik (Support and Informational Updates on the "Alpha and Omega" web site);
- Maksim Nesterov (Regulator of prepatory process and festival organization);
- Alyona Iotko (Secretary);
- Valeriy Verba (Security);
- Yevgeniy Lyaskovskiy (Medical service);
- Aleksey Nesvitaylo (MC);
- Yekaterina Ivchenko (Programme Director);
- Тat’yana Knyazhanskaya (director of merchandise sales);
- Yevgeniy Klyus (Invitation of special guests);
- Vladimir Lukyanchuk (Journalist);
- Yevgeniy Gayday (Designer of “Alpha and Omega banner, photographer);
- Yulia Gayday (Worked with children during the festival)

Praise the Lord for each person who voluntarily worked on this project. May God please each one of you abundantly! And praise the Lord for all of those, who came to our festival!

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