Sunday, August 16, 2026 | Stern Grove Festival
by Dave Golden
Opening the final Sunday afternoon of Stern Grove’s 2026 season with gospel felt right. Under musical director Zoe Ellis, the Glide Ensemble sang “Let’s Have Church” and “God’s Got a Blessing” alongside secular picks like “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” closing on the O’Jays’ “Love Train.” Glide Memorial has been an anchor for the Tenderloin since 1966, and the message from the stage was less about religion than about love and looking out for one another.
Oakland’s Goapele followed, bringing a more contemporary R&B and neo-soul sound to the Grove. Her set mixed intimate originals like “First Love” and “Childhood Drama” with soulful covers including “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “Intimate Friends.” She finished with “Closer” running into Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.”
Then the Reverend Al Green took the stage, and the Grove was on its feet. At 80, that voice remains unmistakable. Drawing from a stack of long-stem roses beside him, Green moved across the stage, tossing them one by one into the crowd as he worked his way through hit after hit. The eleven-song set opened with “I Can’t Stop,” worked in a gospel medley built around “Amazing Grace,” and included “Let’s Stay Together” and “I’m Still in Love With You” before ending the afternoon with “Love and Happiness.” The crowd sang along with virtually every one of them.
Stern Grove got its church service, and most of the congregation knew the words.
