Once again, the Troy Arts Council will usher in the holiday season with Shelia Jackson and Friends on stage at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

On Friday, December 1, the TAC, in cooperation with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, will present Sheila Jackson and Friends Holiday Concert. And, if tradition holds, there will not be a seat in the house.

“This concert is a gift to the extended Troy community from the Troy Arts Council for is longstanding support of the arts,” Jackson said. “All of us on the program join the Troy Arts Council in wanting to make this holiday concert affordable for families. This is truly a concert for people of all ages. We encourage families and friends to join us for what will be a musically wonderful way to usher in the Christmas season.

Jackson said this year’s holiday concert will have a different format with holiday songs and music featured in both acts.

“We wanted to include more holiday music because the audience really seems to enjoy it,” Jackson said. “When people are singing along, you know they are having a good time and a memorable time.”

The emcees for the Sheila Jackson and Friends Holiday Concert will be WSFA-TV personality and Troy native Tonya Terry and local personality Sir Willie B. Williams, Jr.

“Our emcees are entertaining and their personalities light up the theater,” Jackson said.

The concert will feature 22 special guests and the guest list reads like a musical and theatrical who’s who.

“Of course, all of the familiar faces from past holiday concerts will return,” Jackson said. “Dorsey Fayson and Christine Barron have been performing in just about every holiday concert and Henry Everett and Carnell Barron,” Jackson said.

Jackson’s son, Patrick Jackson, will be on sax and her daughter, Haley Jackson, will play piano as will Troy University’s Dr. John Jinright.

Other Troy University talents Quinton Cockrell and Tori Lee-Averett and the Troy University Repertory will take center stage.

“The Children’s Chorus always brings the audience to its feet,” Jackson said. “What would Christmas be without children.”

Other special guests include Alecia Lane Turner, Caitlin Hicks, Tommy Newman, David Everett, Darryl Caldwell, Johnny Barron, Gerry Green, Henry Terry, Felecia Carlisle, Keith Anderson, James Boyd, Adrian Hicks, Jaecyn Wortham and Margie Simmons.

“And, that’s tremendous talent but that’s not all,” Jackson said. “We will add more guest performers in the next week or so. It will be our biggest and best holiday concert so we encourage everyone to make plans now to usher in the 2017 holiday season with Sheila Jackson and Friends on December 1.”

For more information or to purchase tickets at $10 each, call 334-372-7191 or visit www.troyartscouncil.com.