JC’s “Santa’s Swingin’ Pajama Party” Christmas show partners with Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program

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