We had an EXCELLENT time with our guide, Ludi. She told us about slavery history and connected it with the music. She is a great communicator and wakes up everybody, even on Sunday at 8am!
But, and it is a big but because is the main reason for the tour, the gospel mass was absolutely disappointing. There was one solo singer (great voice, by the way) and 3 musicians. The congregation were 10-15 Afroamerican people and then, 400 tourists. The sound at the end rows was awful: you couldn’t hear the singer because of people clapping even with loudspeakers. And finally the songs: nice songs, great voice but no soul, and most of all, no choir at all (yes, we want a little choir, and we want to feel it in our bones!!!). No difference with a catholic mass in my country, and I would definitely not recommend to go to one except you are a true catholic.
The mass was performed at Salem United Methodist Church.
In the way back to the metro, we walked by another church: that was a real gospel mass!!!
Bad choice…
Одговор домаћина
Aug 2022
Thank you so much for your kind comments about the walking tour and our guide Ludi! As for the Chruch; we had only just received notice about not having a choir for the month of August, but only a soloist. We did notify all taking the tour of this fact well in advance to have the ability to cancel the tour. So this was the option of all attendees to cancel or to keep the tour with only the soloist at the church. There are so many tourists attending this church service as this is one of the few churches in Harlem that will accept groups allowing them to experience their services. Many of their congregants do attend service however they do it virtually which started with Covid. Due to the aging congregation they have remained attending the service virtually. We appreciate all feedback.