Sunday Gospel Brunch

The whole show was amazing, fun,very interactive! I skipped church to go and I am so glad I did! We love creating memories for our parents and this was a winner. Both Moms are from the South. They left nothing on their plates. The food and fellowship was superior. One note....the AC was kicking. I should have brought the fur!

The food was good but the music/gospel singers were better. I enjoyed both choirs.

Awesome; Magnificent the music had me doing another church service. I had a wonderful time and will return with friends. This was a Birthday Celebration for my mom and Dad. Wonderful Wonderful Outing.

FANTASTIC.....Amazing show and music, very well organized and on time. The enttire show was above of my expectation, I will strongly recommend to my friends I will not forget how they engage the audience to participate, I really will be there again during my next time in NY

What a truly enjoyable event!! The food was good and the Harlem Gospel Choir was inspirational! Highly, HIGHLY recommend this event!

I am a native New Yorker and I brought family from Europe to see the show. I think I was in the minority, the place was loaded with tourists from everywhere! I was very impressed with the organization of the event. They line people up in order of arrival, so we got there early and were #2 to enter the theater. The buffet service was very well organized and the food was good. The Harlem Gospel Choir was amazing, the talent of these people is a gift. I think everyone in the theater experienced a very unique American art form and enjoyed it thoroughly.

The high school students did a fantastic job of singing and displaying animation with the songs. They were really into the music, which in turn, got the crowd involved. We look forward to attending another gospel brunch.

I'll admit - there were times during the show when I was up on my feet, dancing and clapping along with everyone else. However, overall, this music did not resemble true gospel music. It was very watered down. Some of the voices were good, some just average. The entire experience had a sort of schmaltzy, lounge-oriented vibe catered more to the masses than to people wanting to hear a real gospel show. I can imagine this experience being more interesting to people from another country than the U.S. who perhaps haven't listened to much gospel. There was a video that was played for the audience before the choir actually came out to perform. It was horrible. The video showed the choir performing on Good Morning America (along with other talk show hosts talking about them on the same day) as a tribute to Michael Jackson a couple of years ago. It was the same footage over and over again - and very poorly spliced together. The food was average - cafeteria style. Somewhat disappointed in the entire experience.

My husband and I and our 2 kids in their 20's had the pleasure to not only listen to, but be a part of, the Harlem Gospel Choir show at B B Kings in NYC. The music really lifted the Lord up, and at the same time was so entertaining. They are truly talented. As my son said "Sure beats church!" The food was decent, a little heavy for me, but very good.

Great show. Such amazing talent. So upbeat. The whole event from beginning to end was run so profesionally.

We got to The House of Blues 45 minutes early so we could get a good seat, and they made us wait downstairs until the event time. We were then "herded" upstairs and given open seating. We hair rail seats #1 & #2, right against the stage; people who arrived after us got better seats. The food was good, not great, again we were "herded" through line to get the food. The show lasted 1 hour - 3 songs (they weren't even gospel!, well 1 was!) They got everyone on stage who had a birthday, anniversary, or newly engaged. Then they had everyone who had been married 40 years, 30 years, 10 years, 5 years, 1 year to stand up. I didn't pay to see this!!!

I've been to a few Gospel Brunches at other venues and really enjoyed them. I found this one uninspiring. The breakfast was supprisingly good and the Harlem Gospel Choir unmoving.

Took my oldest/ last cousin in the family as a birthday gift to the affair in the 5th. of Feb. 2012. What a blast for her. She enjoyed the ambiance, the food and the choir.nThough she walks with a cane the music and choir were so up lifting that she stood several times to clap, sing and to show praise for the group and to GOD. The best was at the end when she stated she would like autographs and several members of the choir did sign( a simple napkin) with smiles and compiments to her for her status in the family and her birthday . Accolades to all and thanks from the family.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon. The group gets the audience involved and brings a lot of energy to the show. There is some humor as well as great songs.

The choir was amazing. Beautiful voices and they put on a really great show. The food was pretty good too with lots of variety. We were lucky as the venue was not full and we were able to select the seats we wanted to sit in.

really enjoyed it ...both the food and tbe music were great

Gospel brunch is a great idea for the whole family. I brought my 5 and 3 year old and they loved it! The food was also very good with a great variety. My only suggestion is to make it a little longer. I felt like just when we really got going with the music, it was over!

Great idea to do. Singing was intriguing. Music was awesome. Venue is eclectic. Group was together for 21 years and it shows. Brunch was a great spread. We'll definitely be returning.

Food was excellent The singers were awesome The buffet line moved swiftly But I can't recommend this event. They cram way too many seats into the main pit Everytime I took a deep breath I bumped the people on either side. I'm all for maximizing profits but they're cramming way too many people in to theevent.

I've been to Gospel Brunch a number of times and decided to take my roommate for Christmas and this time was just as good as the previous times! I just love the energy, the food, and the feeling when you leave. Obviously the food has a tendancy to get cold while you're acquiring all of it but it's still amazing. The complimentary bottomless mimosas were fun too! My favorite snacks always include the bread pudding dessert, the waffles, the hashbrowns, and some sweet potato thing they had. My roommate loved it too and wants to take family and friends back.

Rushed and disappointed. Would not have minded the lines at every food station (food was very average, not worth $45 thats for sure!) had we not been literally told to leave as the singers were heading off stage. Also the bloody marys and beer selection (not included with brunch price) was very wanting. Overall, not worth ANYONE's time and money. Felt like I was duped into an old fashion traveling elixir medicine man with his one trick pony at $100 a pop and then he vanished with his wagon but you could still hear his chuckle for the saps who fell for his smoke and mirrors.

I have looked forward to the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues for a long time. I grew up in the south and really LOVE gospel music (so did Elvis - it is the foundation of his music!). There was only 1 gospel song sung (and the leader of the group called it a Negro spiritual) ... so-o-o-o disappointing! There were really only 3 songs sung, the other 2 being African American church music, with the "show" he gave, with audience participation and getting people up on stage that had birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, the 1 hour of "music" went fast. The food was good, not great. The other thing was the way the House of Blues seated everyone. We arrived 30 minutes early to get a good seat - it is open seating. They make everyone stand in the entrance hall, then they herd everyone upstairs to be seated, where the assign you a seat at the top of the stairs. We were assigned seats 1&2 on the rail next to the stage. People who came in later got better seats.

The atmosphere at the HOB was absolutely amazing. The staff was very warm, and helpfull. The food was great, and the music was just...excellent! Will definitely do it again as soon as I get a chance.

This is my 3rd time attending the Gospel Brunch... twice in Chicago, and once in Orlando. In both places it is a great experience. The food is great, the music is great! Make sure that when booking if you are with friends you may want to book together on one credit card or at will call. My friends and I arrived in Chicago from different areas of the country having booked separately and we were not seated together, even though the website stated it was general admission. Perhaps this was because it was New Year's Day. The wait staff was very accommodating and we ended up getting a opera box on the second level, after everyone was seated and they could see what was available.

I thoroughly enjoyed the food, music, and people at the House of Blues on New Years day. It was a great way to start off 2012.

The singing and food was excellent. There was a variety of breakfast foods, lunch items and wonderful fruit and deserts. I would go again and tell others of the event

Food was OK. Entertainment was wonderful! Pat Pennington and Company interacted with crowd, enthusiasm abounding!

The songs were amazing, the singers outstanding, but the food could stand some improvement.

Everybody really enjoying the music., every song had a very powerful message, the Holy Spirit was present. The physical food where awful, the staff was very friendly.

The entertain was great. The food was the worst I ever had. I would not go again and the Howard Threatre will lose business just because of the food. They have to fire the cook or catering staff. We know that the food should be better becasue of the history of the threatre. They use low quality food and you could look at hte food and see that it was nasty before you even ate it. My husband and I sat at the table with D.C. Council woman Yvette Alexander was and her guest and she said that she would talk with the owners about the food and its presentation. Please inform them about this awful food that they're serving at this lovely entertained bruch on sundays. I will never go back until I know that there's better food for my money. This was my husband birthday present and we did'nt enjoy it at all. I really would like to request a refund. Just being truthful and keeping it real. Thanks so much.

We thoroughly enjoyed the voices of the Harlem Gospel Choir and wished they had performed longer. However, the buffet was mediocre. No ice for your tea or water without getting it from the bar or waiting for the staff to bring you a cup of ice. It should be readily available with the self-serve drinks. The catfish fingers and mac & cheese were good but the other items were just okay.

Music first class. Deafening, but that's part of the happy effect. Food was far better than we had expected.

I was a wonderful event. I cannot wait to attend again. Plan on coming back very soon.

The Concert was great, the choir sounded wonderful and the food was on point as well. I have nothing bad to say about this event.

music and performers were great. Ran out of food, and by noon, too much of the food was cold.

This was my first time at the Howard Theatre. Loved the ambiance although I thought the main floor table seating was a little tight. Nonetheless, the food was good although the quality and presentation dimensioned as the brunch went on. I thought that Iyanna Crawley did a spectacular job. My first time seeing her live and I actually thought that someone else would be performing. So to my surprise it was her and I am glad that it was. Truly enjoyed the event.

This brunch was far less than stellar! It actually may have been one of the worst brunches I've ever had. The food options were very limited. There were basic staples missing such as omelettes and waffles. The macaroni and cheese was less than desirable. It looked and tasted like Kraft! The young lady in charge of carving the roast beef stood there picking her nails -- extremely gross when handling food! The mimosas were great and I thoroughly enjoyed the live sounds of Y'Anna Crawley. I like the setup of the Howard Theatre and enjoyed watching a live performance as I ate, but the food was terribly disappointing. I expected far better from the Howard Theatre!

The brunch was nice - food was good. Patrick Lundy and the MOM were awesome! Great presentation - All praises to God.

The choir was pretty good, but the show was too short in my opinion. Also, the food was cold an unseasoned.

The entire experience was amazing. The food was great. I definitely recommend going about an hour early to eat and enjoy your meal before the show starts. The choir had great energy and were very entertaining. They made it special for the birthday people and brought them on stage. My mother definitely had a blast. I highly recommend going here to have a good time on a Sunday afternoon or to celebrate an occassion.

The atmosphere is great - lively, beautiful old building, nice lighting and decor. The music was also great, not as polished as a professional gospel choir but amazing voices. The big downside is that the FOOD IS TERRIBLE. I love southern food, but found the food here tasteless, dry and cold - not a single dish was warm on the entire buffet table. Lastly, the method of ticket purchase is a drawback as well - if you buy at the door tickets are $35 but you risk not getting a seat, but if you buy in advance you can only do so in person at the theatre or through ticket master which increases the price per ticket to over $45. This is way too expensive for what you get (especially with bad food), particularly as there are cheaper, better options for gospel brunch in the city.

Took my mom and friends and enjoyed the music and food. Good selection of brunch and soul food.

The food was good, but could have been hotter. The music was awesome. The price is misleading because there are additional service charges totalling about $10 on top of the listed price for the event. Otherwise, it was a nice outing.

Great moment, except maybe the show didn't last very long (1 hour only)... Probably wanted more because it was such a good moment !

We had such a great time we will be attending a show once a month

Food was AWESOME, but the entertainment NOT so much

Had an absolutely wonderful time. The music was fantastic!

I took my mom for her 65th birthday. It was a total surprise and she had no idea where we were going. Once we got there I yelled surprise and she was so humbled. She is still talking about it. I was honored to have been able to so something like that for her birthday. We will be coming back not only for birthdays but also just to enjoy great Gospel music and each others company!!!!!

This professional level choir sings with precision, beauty and harmony. The accompanying musicians add to another dimension to the music, while the soloists are all quite good. The new Howard Theatre was a far more intimate and engaging environment to see the WPAS Gospel Choir than the Kennedy Center.

Attended my first gospel brunch at Howard Theater and was very impressed with the renovated theater and even more so with the performance. I only wished the music lasted longer.

Amazing Singing, Wonderful Interaction, GREAT Food. What More you one ask for? 5 Stars!!

The food and show were very good. Unlimited mimosas. Wave your napkin if you like what you're seeing!

Everyone in our party had a terrific time. From 19 to 72 we all had great food and delightful entertainment. The omlet bar was a real favorite!

My husband and I went to the HOB Gospel Brunch several years ago on our 10th anniversary and had a much different experience. This time, we took my inlaws as their Christmas gift and wanted to give them a great experience and memory. The food was okay - and the people and service at HOB are great BUT - the show was so short. I felt like we were herded in and out of there way too quickly with very little time to go back for 2nds....which is what you want to do at a brunch when you're paying extra dough for your meal, yes? The show was also just okay - the choir only sang two songs independently and then kept bringing audience members up on stage to join in and enjoy a few minutes in the spotlight. Much of this was lighthearted and fun but then I felt like....why am I paying all this money for a sing-a-long? Kinda bummed we spent $250 for the six of us.....hurried meal, just okay show - sadly, not worth the money we spent.

All in all, it was everything I expected from a small group of very talented and passionate gospel singers. In our group of 3, we all found food that we enjoyed from the assortment offered. Wished we had gotten all our food, including dessert, and then sat down. Where we were seated it was awkward to get up once the performance started. Servers were great & very friendly as well as attentive. The most negative aspect was getting charged a whopping $12 service fee per ticket that we picked up at will call. It was also a little tight in pit seating - felt a bit like a cattle call!

The event was Great, the Gospel Singers did an excellent job. The food was good. The turkey and beef could of been alot warmer, by the time I made it to my table it was cold and I was seated close to the meat station. Omlet station, all I can say is they are the best omlets I have had!!!

We went to the Gospel Brunch as soon as we got off our flight to Chicago. The hostess held our baggage for us while we enjoyed the brunch. The food was excellent. Just wish I had put more on my plate before I sat down. The choir was awesome and the audience participation was fun. I would go back again. This was the highlight of our trip to Chicago. 5 Stars!!!

Great brunch buffet and amazing gospel chorus. Loved getting up and singing/moving along with the choir.

Second year in a row celebrating Easter with the Gospel at the House of Blues: already a tradition!

It was a great show. Would have liked the show to be a little longer. Great for the Kids and Families. Plenty of food, but needed a better selection of Soft drinks, for kids.

The buffet was not up to par considering the cost of the ticket and on top of that it doesn't include a deal for mimosas. I expected the food to be much better, but unfortunately it was the quality of a holiday inns free breakfast buffet. The music on the other hand was the saving grace - I thoroughly enjoyed them. If they chop down the ticket price and include discounts on drinks, I would consider going back.

Great all you can eat brunch brunch and The choir was outstanding!

We arrived shortly after the doors opened at 11:30 am for the 1 pm performance. The food was about Grade B - certainly not the sort of Sunday buffet brunch one would find at a fancy country club at a comparable price. Chicken and catfish were fried; there was no fish or meat that could be remotely considered healthy! And how could they fail to have GRITS on the buffet? The concert started shortly after 1 pm. The hall was not crowded. My wife and I both had 30-dB earplugs and the sound was STILL so loud that our ears were hurting. We had hoped to stay through the end of the first song, but we couldn't stand the high volume so we left. Even in front of the building, on the sidewalk, the sound was too loud. We won't be back.

The four of us truly enjoyed the event. The food was delicious and hot for our entire stay. The service was great and the attendants very friendly. The singers "took us to church." Since three of us had missed church that Sunday, it was just what we needed. We sat near the steps and our seats were just right. Since we were early, we had our choice of seats and did not want to sit too close to the stage. The sound was very good and we could hear very well regardless of where we sat.

At $40+ I expect tablecloths... The food was bad.... bacon and sausage was undercooked (raw), peach cobbler was disgusting, chicken wings were greasy The timing of brunch (11:30) until the live entertainment was too long

The show was great! The Harlem Gospel Choir were excellent singers, excellent performers and entertainers. The only issue my family had was the spacing with tables and seats. We were not able to sit together and the tables were really tight. The space was uncomfortable for eating.Also I called prior to the event to see if I could reserve a table for my family, and I was told that that was not allowed. However, once I arrived to the event I saw that a few tables had been reserved for people. So I do not understand where the disconnect went there.

First I must say that I enjoy the Howard Theater for shows. As a concert venue, it's great. And I have had meals there before that were good. For the gospel brunch though, the food was not good at all. Many items were tasteless, or overcooked. The best things were the pastries/dessert and the mimosas. I don't know if it was just a bad day, but it was Mother's Day so you would have thought they would be on their A game. Also, the valet parking was a mess. I've pre-paid for parking before in a side lot but never for the valet, and I never would utlize it again if that's the regular way. All that being said, the Harlem Gospel Choir was wonderful. They all had great voices and together sounded like a choir much bigger. The lead was very engaging and funny and we had a great time once the show started. I would go see them again, but the brunch is not worth it.

I thought this event would be perfect as a Mother's Day gift. I should have read the reviews before purchasing the tickets. The set up was horrible! They tried to cram as many tables as possible in a small space. Not to mention they will seat other parties you do not know with you. The tables were old and shaky. The food was disgusting! Bland chicken, bland mac and cheese, salty greens. The best part was the choir. Bottom line I would never again come to the gospel brunch. Save your money and go else where

I spent a great moment! Harlem Gospel Choir totally worth it

When the only food items on the brunch table that look and taste good are the toss salad and the fruit, you are in for a big dissappointment! I was truly dissappointed.

Although the Gospel Brunch was advertised to begin at 1:00 PM and the Gospel presentation did begin at 1:00 PM, the actual brunch was much sooner. I feel the time should be changed or indicated, that the brunch will begin at (11:00 AM) and the Gospel program will begin at 1:00 PM.

I hate to give this a poor review, because I SO wanted to love everything about it. But the food was terrible. Roughly 20 things on the buffet and the food was underseasoned, bland, or just downright inedible (like the hard cold eggs and rough as nails chicken fried chicken). Unbelievable for a buffet. The entertainment was excellent. I would not recommend this to a friend because my friends and I go to churches with this same type of choir. You can go to any local African American church for free, make a small donation in the offering, and be uplifted. Not to downplay the group at all as they were great...but we paid $45+ for this experience (and you will pay more if you order drinks), and only feel like we got half of what we paid for. I looked ar reviews from years ago when the theater re-opened and can't believe nothing has changed in terms of food. Note to entertainment: you all were great. I loved that you did the birthday song, but would not end with that as the last thing people remember as that's not what most of us were there for. Move it to earlier in your act.

I loved every minute. Food was pretty good. Great crowd and environment.

I was very pleased the the Gospel Brunch The food was well prepared. The atmosphere was great. The Gospel group was interactive and made the Gospel brunch experience enjoyable. I would recommend the Gospel Brunch to others

good food, great entertainment --it was VERY COLD in the venue!!!! I mean bone-chilling cold!!! ALSO they charge a $3.00 gratuity (though it is not noted anywhere) for any drink from the bar. So if you purchase a coke for $4.00, they charge you $7.00!!! This is not noted anywhere so don't order from the bar!!!

THIS SHOW WAS WONDERFUL, EVERYONE WAS FRIENDLY, FOOD NEED IMPROVEMENT.

My friend and I try to do brunch once a month and we always try somewhere new. Well this time we went to the Sunday Gospel Brunch at the Howard theatre. The only complaint was, for the cost of the food, it was horrible. They didn't have fresh juices. It the OJ was from a bottle that sits in a room temperature shelf. Same thing for the cranberry juice and it was all served room temperature. No fresh fruit or pastries. The food selection was poor and tasteless. The collard greens were seasoned with sugar and cayenne pepper. They only had a carving station with a slab of beef and there was no one ever there. The customers had to cut the meat for themselves. The service was awful. A service person came around to our table only once and that was to clear plates from our table. The cost of the brunch was $37.50. I highly recommend that you find somewhere else to spend your money. Brunch starts at 11:30 and the gospel show start 2 hours later and at that point they stop serving the food or refreshing the buffet. They actually start breaking the buffet down.

Music - Harlem Gospel Choir was AWESOME! Could have performed more songs or came on stage an Hour Earlier. The food, was not so good! The set-up for the coffee/Danish station ran out of napkins and stir's for the coffee. The food was not seasoned. The Mimosa's were good.

ABsolutely a wonderful experience and I would do it again! The Howard Theatre has pleasant and courteous staff, and the music was AMAZING!!!!!!! Wow!

My husband and I went with a group, so was very excited to go since it was my first time and I have heard about it. Had a great time with my group even standing in line waiting to get in. But I was truly disappointed with the food selection for the cost. For me and my husband we paid over $90 (with all the fees)and I wasn't even able to get seconds. Even though the only I wanted was the cook apples, but the pan was empty I asked the one of the server was any more coming out and he said yes, I stood there for about 8 to 10 mins and decided to go back to my seat. Never got the apples. My chicken was dry, the greens was great as well as the fish. But mac and cheese was watery, the turkey bacon was under cook. The choir was awesome, but not enough to make up paying that much not have great food.

This is the second time I attended the Gospel Brunch. The first time, the Howard Theater staff didn't really restock the food on buffet line when food items ran out. The brunch I attended this past Sunday had the same results. However, the choir was really good. The audience had a ball. I would recommend this show for everyone. The show starts @ 1:00 pm and ends around 2:15 pm. Not too long and not too short.

I really enjoyed my experience at the Howard Theatre's Gospel Brunch. I was there before the doors opened and they did open on time. This was a general admission event and I was able to get good seating. The buffet was excellent and there was plenty of food during the whole event. I ordered the bottomless mimosas and they were indeed bottomless. My server was on point. To top it off the Harlem Gospel Choir was excellent. My experience was well worth the price of admission. I would do this again.

The actual concert was fabulous. I wish the staff at Howard Theater were more organized. The doors did not open at the time stated on the ticket. When the buffet style food ran out, it took some time for the staff to replenish. Water was not readily available.

Nothing was good about our experience starting with the valet, seat, food and the Gospel Show. Charged $15 for mimosa's and never came back to the table for re-orders.

I should have listened to the reviews and stayed away (especially on my bday), but I had to experience it for myself. The food was not very good - though the best items were the greens and the waffles (right after the trays are freshly replenished and they're still hot). The turkey bacon tasted old and, are I say, funky. Ewwww. The waitstaff was pretty slow with replenishing beverage containers - it took forever to get juice - and they couldn't seem to find any silverware. In addition to the food, I wasn't particularly impressed by the "choir." It was more like a small praise and worship team. Some of the singing was good, but overall I was not really moved.

This was my first time to attend an event there. I had a nice time. I can truly envision the grandness of yester years. The owners need to consider upgrading the interior furniture, eliminating plasticware, and increasing the length of the performance.

The choir was not as well prepared and impressive. Brunch was average.