The Troy Arts Council will present Shelia Jackson and Friends in the annual Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

The Shelia Jackson and Friends Holiday Concert has become a Pike County Christmas tradition and is one of the most popular events on the TAC’s Calendar of Events each year.

The concert will feature Troy’s own Shelia Jackson with “friends” who are singers, musicians and dancers.

“The Holiday Concert brings together a large number of extremely talented people,” Jackson said. “Everyone has worked very hard to make this show one that the audience will enjoy and remember and also one that will convey the spirit of the season and of all seasons.”

Jackson said the first half of the concert will feature a variety of music.

“We’ll do pop, jazz, Broadway tunes and classical music that will include songs by Dion Warwick, Aretha Franklin and other popular singers. The second half of the concert will be Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.”

The Christmas portion of the concert will include traditional holiday music such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” and then several songs of Christmas that are less familiar, such as “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.”

Joining Jackson in song will be Nina Kincey, Christine Barron, Dorsey Fayson, Connell Barron and Haley Jackson.

“We have a fantastic band behind us,” Jackson said. “Band members are Henry Everett, David Everett, Larry Thomas, Leroy Bodiford, Tony Hawthorn, Haley Jackson, Robert Dickens, Mike Tyner and Carius. Dr. John Jinright will present a special piano piece.”

The Troy University Dancers will perform and Jackson said the dancers added a third dimension to the show.

“The dancers are incredible and we are so proud to have them to make the Holiday Special, special,” Jackson said. “Really, it takes all of us working together to make this concert what it can be and what we want it to be. Christmas is a most important time of year because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s also a holiday when we express love and caring for family and friends and even those we don’t know.

“It is my hope that this Holiday Concert brings our community together as one and that we all leave knowing how truly blessed we are this Christmas season.”