ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Fine Arts Department is pleased to continue its partnership with the Salvation Army in providing a bit of Christmas cheer for kids in the Pine Belt. The public is invited to begin the holiday season by attending this year’s Christmas show, “Santa’s Swingin’ Pajama Party” on Thursday, November 29, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. This whimsical and very kid-friendly show invites everyone to wear pajamas and listen to Jazz, Swing, Pop and all of your favorite Christmas songs. Admission is one, unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.
“We are excited to work with Bruce Smith who is directing the Christmas Show this year featuring our musical and vocal groups and a few guests from the North Pole!” said Fine Arts Division Chair, Mark Brown. “We want to stress the purpose of our Christmas production is to provide toys for children who normally may not have much of a Christmas. We hope our local angels will be able to give a Santa filled sled full of gifts with a little help from our audience.”
Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in our area this Christmas. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.
The Christmas Show will feature an evening of beautiful holiday favorites like the JC Voices group will perform, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” under the direction of Dr. Susan Smith. “Silver Bells,” and “Let it Snow” will feature the JC Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Ben Burge and The Bridge will sing, “Christmas Song” along with other Christmas favorites like “Mary Did You Know?”
“Many of our students receive scholarships and this is an opportunity for them to give back to the community while also highlighting their talent in a fun show,” said Brown.
Show hosts include, “Jingle and Belle” who are two of Santa’s elves, along with JC Voices, JC Jazz Band, The Bridge, Touch of Gold dancers and special guests, “Ken and Barbie,” and Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information, call the Fine Arts Office at 601-477-4203 or follow JCJC Fine Arts on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to http://salvationarmyalm.org/angel-tree/
Guest Stars in order of appearance
Jingle – Landon Williams of Waynesboro
Belle – Coco Caldwell of Laurel
Barbie – Sydney Brady of Madison
Ken – Jared Woullard of Leakesville
Mrs. Claus – Shaylee Thames of Petal
Santa
Members of JC Jazz
Dr. Ben Burge, Director
Joshua Anderson, Sandhill
John Harrison, Laurel
Kenton Henderson, Richton
Kendall Herrington, Enterprise
Sydney Herrington, Enterprise
Ryan Nowell, Ellisville
Hunter Gammil, Petal
Logan Donald, Ellisville
Michael Brown, Laurel
Bethany Miller, Ellisville
Linda Echenique, Laurel
Cole Johnson, Laurel
Clay Whitt, Vancleave
John Ivey, Petal
Zack Gregore, Petal
Matthew Dodd, Petal
Matthew Haight, Mobile, AL
Tristan Garrett, Laurel
Courtland Goff, Ellisville
Members of JC Voices
Dr. Susan A. Smith, Conductor
Ms. Jennifer Bruton, Assistant Director
Dr. David Goldblatt, Accompanist
Kenneth Anderson, Sand Hill
Kalyn Bales, Stringer
Ella Barker, Hattiesburg
James Bilbo, Hattiesburg
Faith Bufkin, Ellisville
Jorge Castillo, Ellisville
Kassidy Chandler, Laurel
Mary Coats, Taylorsville
Hayden Dillistone, Laurel
Reagan Dukes, Laurel
Nathaniel Gamblin, Waynesboro
Shedrick George, Laurel
Matthew Haight, Mobile, AL
Victor Harris, Laurel
Dakota Malone, Raleigh
Addison Nelms, Brandon
Lamar Saddler, Quitman
Jordan Sistrunk, Mize
Kendra Stevison, Lucedale
Alyssa White, Laurel
DeMoynedre Morgan, Houston
Davonzell Moncrief, Montrose
Eli McMellon, Moselle
Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel
Caleb Pearce, Ellisville
Shellie Roberts, Ellisville
Members of The Bridge:
Dr. Susan A. Smith, Conductor
Mr. Gregory Wascoe, Assistant Director
Dr. David Goldblatt, Accompanist
James Bilbo, Ellisville
Jorge Castillo, Moselle
Kassidy Chandler, Laurel
Reagan Dukes, Laurel
Shedrick George, Laurel
Addison Nelms, Brandon
Davonzell Moncrief, Montrose
Caleb Pearce, Ellisville
Kendra Stevison, Lucedale
Touch of Gold Dancers
Anna Catherine Hampton, Petal High School
Sydney Jolly, Petal High School
Ryleigh Meadows, Petal High School
Lauryn Wheat, Petal High School
Sydney Beech, Laurel Christian High School
Rylee Gavin, South Jones High School
Lauren Hankins, Northeast Jones High School
Mary Hanna, South Jones High School
Holly James, South Jones High School
Taylor Martin, South Jones High School
Timber Prince, South Jones High School
Victoria Strickland, South Jones
Ashley Sumrall, West Jones High School
Courtney Thigpen, Laurel High School
Faith Lewis, Lawrence County
Julia Fairley, Richton High School
Victoria Carter, Brandon High School
Audrey Johnson, Warren Central High School
Lakeryia Lacey, Wayne County High School