There were quite a few things going on Grammy weekend and one of them was a wonderful Pre Grammy Celebration and Fundraising Ceremony hosted by Kirk Whalum that I attended. Kirk, by the way took home his first GRAMMY ® award for “Best Gospel Song” “It’s What I Do” from The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III.

On winning the award Whalum said “I'm so happy and honored to have finally won a Grammy!” “God makes beautiful things. I'm so glad Jerry Peters and I were able to collaborate and be inspired to make, ‘It’s What I Do.’”

Whalum performed and co-hosted the pre-award celebration, “It Started With A Dream,” presented by The Dream Center and Victory University. The concert was a benefit for the Dream Center, located in Los Angeles, which is a 24 hour church that offers help for the city’s homeless, drug dependent and needy citizens. Upon opening up the event backstage, Pastor Matthew Barnett spoke about the church “I can’t thank all of you enough for coming out to perform and support us today. When we started this many people thought it could not be done and now we are here offering help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.” Rev. Barnett also commented on Project Hope, the home for those who are rescued from human trafficking that the concert will benefit. “We received a very generous donation from Joyce Meyer that got us started, but this event will help us go even further.” He then led everyone in prayer and it was show time.

Whalum and Lalah Hathaway gave a crowd-pleasing performance of “He’s Been Just That Good” and “Because You Love Me” with special guest George Duke. The event also featured live performances by GRAMMY ® nominees Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Forever Jones, Gungor, Israel Houghton, Gospel Rapper Lecrae, VaShawn Mitchell, and Karen Peck & New River.

The artists incorporated a beautiful combination of various styles of Gospel music, Bluegrass, Pop, Rap, Jazz, Contemporary/Traditional performances. The audience marveled how “refreshing” and “special” it was to see such an array of great musical talent in one setting. There were several other stars in the audience including Sinbad who introduced Israel Houghton.

For the next four weeks the concert performances will be available for viewing online at www.dreamcenterlive.com Proceeds from the $4.99 download benefit Project Hope, which; The Dream Center provides a restoration home and immediate care to those rescued from human trafficking. Check out the slideshow below for pics of the event.