Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Most every community has Christmas traditions.

Troy has two; its annual downtown Christmas Parade and the Sheila Jackson and Friends Christmas Concert, which is a community tradition of 18 years and counting.

The Shelia Jackson and Friends Christmas Concert is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door.

“The Sheila and Friends concert is a tradition because it brings meaning to the season through songs, instrumentals, dance and stories,” said Henry Everette who has been a “friend” of Sheila Jackson from the beginning. “The concert is as meaningful to all of us as we hope it is to our audience.”

Jackson said this year’s Christmas concert will feature the traditional songs and music of the season.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful show,” Jackson said. “Of course, the show will feature the favorite songs of Christmas performed by local talent including Dr. Dave Camwell, Dr. Henry Terry and Dr. Scott Sexton. 

The Troy University Dancers bring variety to the program and are always well received. 

Sheila Jackson will be featured on several songs, including “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which the Christmas season is to so many.

“We have many talented people who willingly give of their time and talents because the Christmas Concert is as meaningful to them as we hope it is for the audience and also because it’s the beginning of a wonderful holiday season” Jackson said.

Tonya Terry and Willie B. Williams, Jr. will host the concert that will feature Shelia Jackson. Special guests and musicians will be Dorey Fayson, Quinton Cockrell, Theo Smith, Nina Kinsey, Mike Tyner, Tori Lee Averett, Christine Barron, John Alloway, Carnell Barron, Henry Everett, Malachi Everett, Adrienne Barron, Grace Wagstaff, Dontavious Presley, Dr. Henry Terry, Pastor Lee B. Walker, Scott Sexton, Barrie Jackson, Marge Simmons, Pat Jackson, Dave Camwell, Natalee Savage and the Troy Theater & Dance Touring Ensemble.