Songfest 2017, to be held at 8 p.m. on August 4 at Unity North Atlanta, promises to be celebration of music that gets people on their feet.

Wil Hodge, performer and organizer of the fifth annual Unity North Atlanta concert, says he started the festival after searching for original music to use in church services.

“Most of them said, ‘Yeah, I got original stuff. I just can’t play it at church,’’’ Hodge says. “I just thought, ‘Why can’t we get these people together and let them off the chain, be unrestricted??’’’

Hodge says concertgoers will hear a variety, from the R&B duo Wilson to Spanish-language singer Sonia Osio. During the first half of the concert, each of the eight performers are asked to perform two original acoustic songs, then break for 20 minutes during which people can mingle and buy merchandise. Performers then return to the stage backed by the Unity North band.

“It’s really a magical night. It really is,” Hodge says. “I’ve seen people laugh. I’ve seen people cry. They dance in the aisles, they jump around. We have a big, huge sanctuary. It’s not churchy.”

The concert, Hodge says, is in part a fundraiser for the Unity North music mission. A donation button has been set up on the website for those who cannot make the concert but wish to help.

Tickets are $15 advance, $20 door. Location: 4255 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta, 30066. For more information, call 678-819-9100 or visit UnityNorth.org.