Keeping the Spirit Alive
Feel the spirit of gospel move you at the Johnny Jackson Jr.
Gospel is Alive! celebration, which will take place at 9:30 a.m. on April 27 in the Rock of Ages Baptist Church.
The years' lineup is sure to be unforgettable with the "first
lady of gospel" Shirley Caesar, as well as the incredible voices of the community with
Arthur and Friends Community Choir and the Council of Aging community choir.
The event is put on by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, alongside partners Peoples Health and the New Orleans Council on Aging. The
goal is to promote cultural appreciation and participation across generations.
This event is free to the public, but seating is limited. Click
here
to reserve a spot.
Who is Johnny Jackson Jr.?
The celebration is named in honor of Johnny Jackson Jr. who
has not only served as a longtime member of the board for Jazz Fest but also
served as a Louisiana State Representative for district 101 and later became a New
Orleans City Councilmember. During his time as a politician, he fought to mentor,
tutor, and feed area youth during the 1970 standoff between New Orleans police
and the Blank Panthers. He went on to draft legislation that benefitted the
rights of equality for LGBTQ+ communities. The tremendous contributions made during
his lifetime is one of the center points for Gospel is Alive!
The New Orleans Council of Aging
The NOCOA Community Choir, developed in 2012, has hosted many
events across the city. The choir, with members all above 60 years old, is a community
program aimed at keeping our elders engaged while also maintaining stability and gaining access to resources.
The council offers services such as home delivered meals, health screenings and wellness classes, community engagement such as the choir, and transportation assistance.
