Want to relive Gem City Shine? Here is 2 NEWS’ ‘Best of Gem City Shine’

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Gem City Shine featured celebrities, artists, comedians, and stars from across the country to reclaim the Oregon District. Here are some sights and sounds from the Oregon District on Sunday night.

Among the celebrities that made an appearance: Jon Stewart, Michael Che, Chance the Rapper, Stevie Wonder, and host Dave Chappelle.

UPDATE 10:15 P.M.: Stevie Wonder has wrapped up his set as the headliner of Gem City Shine and crowds are beginning to make their way out of the area.

UPDATE 8:53 P.M.: Music legend Stevie Wonder, escorted onstage by Chappelle, is now performing for Gem City Shine attendees.

“Dayton, stay strong. Gem City, I beg you, show them how great you are. Shine as hard as you can. Don’t take it from me, take it from the legend. Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Stevie Wonder,” Chappelle said before leading the icon to a piano at the front of the stage.

UPDATE 8:50 P.M.: Jon Stewart has joined Dave Chappelle on stage, where the crowd is singing “Happy Birthday” to Chappelle.

“Whether you know it or not, your voices are strong and you are important,” the comedian said to the crowd.

UPDATE 8:45 P.M.: Saturday Night Live’s Michael Che popped on stage briefly with Chappelle to say hello to the crowd.

UPDATE 8:40 P.M.: Chappelle has taken the stage to entertain attendees while crews set the stage for the next performer. He said he believes about 120,000 people must have come out for the benefit concert.

UPDATE 8:23 P.M.: Chance the Rapper has wrapped up his performance and crews are setting up for the next act. Pianos have been placed near the front of the stage. These are instruments often seen with performers such as Lady Gaga or Stevie Wonder, both of whom were seen doing sound checks earlier in the day!

UPDATE 7:28 P.M.: Comedian Jon Stewart joined Dave Chappelle on stage before Chance the Rapper’s performance.

Jon Stewart made a surprise appearance to help introduce @chancetherapper. He said “you’ve reclaimed this area with love and resilience.” #GemCityShine pic.twitter.com/OyTpZsJsS7

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 26, 2019

At the end of Teyana Taylor’s performance, she gave an emotional tribute to the victims of the Aug. 4 shooting.

In a very emotional moment, pictures of the 9 victims play on the screen before Teyana Taylor dedicates a song to them. She and the entire crowd are choked up. Beautiful moment. #GemCityShine @WDTN pic.twitter.com/m83B0BfT4P

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

UPDATE: 6:46 P.M.: Teyana Taylor is the third performer at Gem City Shine, a veteran actress and singer who has appeared in videos for Kanye West.

UPDATE: 6:20 P.M.: Second performer of the night – Talib Kweli, who formed rap duo Black Star with Mos Def in the late 1990s.

UPDATE 6:11 P.M.: Living Dayton anchor Julia Palazzo said a couple people were hurt when officials were handing water to fans. A few decided to start throwing the bottles. This happened after Thundercat’s performance.

After Thundercat left the stage, officials started handing out water bottles, some people got hit in the head with them after people started throwing them around. Police and EMT’s had to come into the crowd to help carry a couple of people out who got hit. #GemCityShine @WDTN

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

UPDATE 5:32 P.M.: Dave Chappelle appeared before the crowd to introduce opening act Thundercat, the noted producer, guitarist and bass guitarist who played with Suicidal Tendencies and won a Grammy in 2016 for his work on a Kendrick Lamar album.

Dave Chappelle just came out to the stage. He says nothing will break our spirit and don’t forget what this city is all about. He’s also leading an OH-IO chant @WDTN #GemCityShine pic.twitter.com/sE6WVNBCLq

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

According to Living Dayton’s Julia Palazzo, the crowd was in good spirits, but several people fainted because of heat. No one had been taken away by medics, but security was hauling water to fans by the stage.

Thundercat is the first performer of the night #GemCityShine @WDTN pic.twitter.com/JE5mEka0Ou

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

UPDATE 4:28 P.M.: Living Dayton host Zac Pitts is live on Facebook at Gem City Shine.

UPDATE 4:16 P.M.: Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley spoke before the Gem City Shine benefit concert in the Oregon District at 4 p.m.

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UPDATE 3:40 P.M.: Dave Chappelle’s touring DJ is on stage now. People are moving closer to the stage area.

The yellow tape has been taken down by Fifth and Wayne. Ended up right near the stage #GemCityShine @WDTN pic.twitter.com/KvD0nZrM9C

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

UPDATE 3:15 P.M. : Crowds are moving to the stage as showtime gets closer and a DJ has began playing to entertain the crowd.

Brooke Moore, 2 NEWS Anchor, tweeted guitarist John Mayer and actor Bradley Cooper are in Dayton.

People with knowledge of rehearsals and the set list tell me Bradley Cooper and John Mayer are here. We’ll find out in a few short hours. #Gemcityshine #DaytonStrong https://t.co/25acbkggES

— Brooke Moore (@wdtnbrooke) August 25, 2019

According to 2 NEWS reporter Judith Retana, security wasn’t checking for tickets earlier in the day, but are now. Lines are long at restaurants and bars while vendors have been busy selling merchandise to benefit the tragedy fund.

Huge crowds, long lines, busy bars. This is nuts! #GemCityShine pic.twitter.com/Rh0P0EqD3O

— Judith Retana (@JudithWNCN) August 25, 2019

The yellow tape has been taken down by Fifth and Wayne. Ended up right near the stage #GemCityShine @WDTN pic.twitter.com/KvD0nZrM9C

— Julia Palazzo (@JuliaPalazzoTV) August 25, 2019

UPDATE 2:51 P.M.: Long lines are forming outside the Oregon District where the Gem City Shine event officially begins at 4 p.m.

RTA is providing shuttle service from UD Arena to Wayne Avenue outside the Oregon District.

Dave Chappelle has been spotted downtown waving to people while Stevie Wonder had a soundcheck on the Gem City Shine main stage.

UPDATE 2:05 pm: Businesses in the Oregon District are welcoming visitors and offering many items for sale including food, clothing and Dayton-themed items.

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UPDATE 1:30 pm: Lines are forming and tickets are being scanned as the gates are open for the Gem City Shine.

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Celebrities have been spotted in the Oregon District performing sound checks ahead of the Gem City Shine event later in the day. Kanye West hosted a Sunday Service at RiverScape MetroPark and Lady Gaga was seen on the stage doing her sound check.

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Kanye West’s wife Kim Kardashian and comedian Dave Chappelle were also there. The event drew a large crowd to Riverscape Sunday morning. The event lasted about 90 minutes and featured choir singers.

In support of the victims and survivors of the Dayton mass shooting https://t.co/RFr8A4birh

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) August 25, 2019

Kanye took the stage Sunday morning and immediately began firing up the crowd. West said, “We’ve come to love you and we’ve come to share the love of Jesus Christ with you all today.”

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley also posted on her Twitter feed Sunday morning about the Sunday Service.

We’re still standing. #DaytonStrong pic.twitter.com/YwQM6HATha

— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) August 25, 2019

https://twitter.com/ComplxSimplcity/status/1165658830216335362

Kim Kardashian West began sharing Instagram stories in January of the events which have grown in popularity.

Later Sunday, Chappelle will host Gem City Shine in the Oregon District. Around 20,000 people are expected at the event being held to honor those killed in the August 4th mass shooting.

The event is happening from 4 pm to 10 pm.

Preparation for the day’s events got underway early Sunday morning.

RTA is operating free shuttles from UD Arena where attendees are encouraged to park for free Sunday morning.

Streets around Oregon District are blocked off and access is restricted to those who have tickets.

READ MORE: Headed to Gem City Shine? Here’s what you need to know