Festival will combine Faith with Music

Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Music, which has been held every other year for 10 years, will take place on April 11-13 at the college in Grand Rapids, Mich.

This biennial festival is designed to explore a conversation between faith and music—creating community among musicians, critics, theologians and listeners from a variety of backgrounds.

On the 10th anniversary of the festival, this year's keynote speakers include award-winning religion columnist Cathleen Falsani, renowned pop culture critic Chuck Klosterman and Hip Hop theologian Daniel White Hodge.

FFM also includes more than 30 customized workshops, including a new track of workshops targeted to musicians that combines discussion and performance.

The Festival of Faith and Music also offers three nights of live performances that span the musical spectrum.

Calvin’s director of student activities Ken Heffner says that FFM aims to show people that they don't have to choose between loving God and loving popular arts. It is possible to do both faithfully.

"We give a picture that some people hoped for but you didn't realize existed," said Heffner. "Which is this: pop culture is not the enemy of the Gospel."

Heffner says FFM also provides Calvin with a bigger stage to showcase what it does every day in all areas of the college.

"It puts legs on some of Calvin's mission," said Heffner. "The idea that sin has affected all things, but Christ's redeeming work is not a rescue out of the world; he's redeeming the world—that's a whole different approach.

“That's why Calvin has a different understanding of art and popular culture, all areas of life have the possibility of being done faithfully ... the key thing is being able to discern how art is faithfully opening us up to this redemption."

For a full list of festival speakers and performers or to register, visit www.calvin.edu/go/ffm

For more info on FFM, contact Ken Heffner at 616-526-6064 or [email protected].