A coincidence? Or Providence in action...
Organizers of this month's CLOVER Christian Dance Music Festival plus family and friends of Katie Heintz believe it is Katie's guidance that an event for her peers, featuring her favorite music and sharing God's word will be held exactly a year from her death. The myriad pieces that coalesced to create the festival demonstrate that her faith and vision shine brightly even after she succumbed to leukemia last August.
"She definitely has her hand in all of this," said Katie Wheelock, Heintz's best friend and a senior this fall at St. Francis High School. "She would have loved this, she loved all kinds of music but she really liked Christian music."
Thursday morning, Pat and Leslee Heintz plus ten of Katie's classmates from St. Francis High School attended the press conference at the Top of the Park that officially launched the CLOVER Festival. Earlier this year, Pat Doyle of Mt. Pleasant connected the family with festival founder Carol Marvin, president of Pop Culture Media. Her organization DEMF LLC is the festival's producer.
When Doyle heard of Marvin's idea, he immediately thought of Katie and a Traverse City venue. Introducing Marvin to Pat Heintz got the ball rolling as the Heintz family endorsed the concept as a way to honor Katie and bring youth to Christ.
"Katie had that unique ability to connect in many ways and she is connecting with all of you because this is what she absolutely would have loved to see: youth and families coming together in Jesus' name for a great event," said Pat Heintz. "Success will be measured in one way: bring them to Jesus."
The free, three-day festival will be held August 25-27 at the Open Space downtown, with plans including a Christian activity center, teen ministry host sites, Katie's Chapel, an audio lab where attendees can create music, a dance party tent and a main stage. Activities will include arcade games and tournaments, Bible studies, lectures, crafts, faith services and Mass on Sunday morning.
The multi-stage venue will feature the best of Christian electronic and DJ artists from around the world. The current line-up includes 54 artists who, with attendees, will unite around the scripture from Ecclesiastes3:4 There is a time to dance and the festival motto of "Keep Believing Katie-Style."
"There are so many DJs who are Christian who are thanking us for what we're doing," said Marvin. "It's globally significant, culturally definitive and Christian — it's never been done before."
CLOVER, which stands for Christ's Love Restores, Respects and Rejoices, began with a flash inspiration of Carol Marvin six years ago. Attending the Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000 she helped organize, the veteran producer was transported as DJ Stacey Pullen began to "spin in scripture." Marvin began crying as she realized the possibility of merging music and ministry, combining her work and her faith.
"To me, that moment was Heaven on earth," said Marvin. "CLOVER was born in that moment."
CLOVER Festival officials unveiled the commemorative poster for the festival at the press conference, an artwork that prominently features St. Cecilia, the patron saint of Church music.
Competing with the torrent of popular culture aimed at the youth market, which Marvin noted is often celebrated for its shock value, is challenging. Presenting an alternative with a Christian foundation is key to the CLOVER Festival's mission.
"If you have a view of Christian music — shake it up, if you have a view of Christians — shake it up," Marvin said. "Being a Christian is the most beautiful experience and people forget that."
For more information on the festival, see the website www.cloverfestival.com.