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- Rock the Universe is an annual Christian rock festival that takes place at Universal Studios Florida. It started in 1999, and it normally takes place in the first or second week of September. The festival has had three main stages over the years. One is "The Yard Stage", also known as "The Boneyard Stage", which is located on the edge of the park in between the Jimmy Neutron and Twister attractions. It is the largest of the stages, but it was used for the last time at Rock the Universe 2008, as the section will be turned into the entrance for the Rip, Ride, and Rock It roller coaster. The stage always faced outward toward the park except for 2008, where it was up against the building that houses the Jimmy Neutron ride, and facing the building that houses Twister, as a wall had been put it where it used to be to prepare for the construction. Another stage is "The Hollywood Stage", which is by the Central Park area and the lake, close to the middle of the park. It faces Mel's Diner. The third stage is "The Praise and Worship Stage", which is located in the Animal Planet Theater, though it has not been in use in the past couple of years. A new stage for concerts has been built near the entrance to Rip, Ride, and Rock It, in the same area where the Bone Yard once was. This stage will be used for the 2009 festival. The bands that have appeared the most, counting the upcoming 2009 festival, are the Newsboys, Relient K, and Third Day at seven appearances; Skillet and Jars of Clay at six appearances; Audio Adrenaline and TobyMac at five appearances; and GRITS at four appearances. While TobyMac will be making his fifth appearance as a solo artist at the festival, he also appeared twice with dc Talk, which means 2009 will be his seventh visit to the Christian rock festival. Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline will be a special guest speaker at this year's festival, marking his sixth appearance at the festival and the first without being a performer. Rock the Universe is one two major Christian rock festivals held in Orlando each year. The other festival is Night of Joy, which is held at Walt Disney World, on the same nights as Rock the Universe. The two festivals are both successful, despite the matching dates. Many bands tend to switch between the two festivals. Formerly,Cornerstone Florida, a spinoff of the original Cornerstone Festival, was held in Orlando annually, in May of each year. The festival is a member of the Christian Festival Association.
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