A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson is the dramatized result of an idea borne by Lavenia Nesmith and shared with script writer, Bebe Ross Coker.

 

Mahalia comes to life in a musical drama performed by Lavenia Nesmith portraying the life of Mahalia in dialogue and song. The life of gospel great Mahalia gives impetus to her early childhood on the docks of Louisiana; her call to sing gospel in the church choir; her rise to celebrity with Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord" and her well earned national and international recognition.

 

Mahalia's songs are dynamically sung by Lavenia who is accompanied by Stephen Key, pianist; Terron Whitehead, percussion; and Harry Jackson, bass.

 

Lavenia weaves historical Mahalia information together with humor, praise, seriousness and humility...all characteristics of God's anointed gospel messenger, Mahalia Jackson of New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Voice over narrations contributed by Julian Hipkins introduces the audience to Mahalia; to her loyal relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the civil rights movement; her family; her struggles and her strong abiding faith in God.

 

This powerful and heart-warming performance embraces the listening audience and invites into its presence such memorable songs of praise "Move On Up A Little Higher", "If I Can Help Somebody" and "Soon I Will Be Done", to name a few.

 

"Mahalia" is a performance of reverence and respect; a tribute to one of God's verses who is truly a lyric from the Lord.

 

Come...Join us as we capture the essence of..."Mahalia

The SISTA’S Show takes place in an imaginary “Museum of Women in Jazz and Blues”, where theatrically they come alive in spirit and perform for the pleasure of Cora, the cleaning lady. SISTA’S CAN SA-A-NG is a musical journey into the hit musical offerings of Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Gloria Lynn and Dinah Washington. This show is all about the music, based on a storyline that merely serves to weave the audience through to the next toe tapping, hand clapping, tear-jerking and soul searching journey.

 

SISTA’S CAN SA-A-NG is simply a fun offering of music at its very best, in an imaginary museum….after hours!

 

Come….join us as we take a sentimental journey down memory lane!