The Gala evening will honor Sam and Mary Haskell with the prestigious Concerto Award, presented by the Ford Center, for their extraordinary patronage of the Center and the Arts. Sam and Mary have invited special friends from all over the country to join in this 20th Anniversary celebration! It will be a thrilling evening hosted by Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and starring Gala Headliners, eight-time Grammy Award winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., the Original Fifth Dimensions, featuring selections from their newest album Blackbird, Lennon- McCartney Icons, as well as greatest hits from The Fifth Dimension!

The first half of the Gala will feature appearances by Tony and Emmy winner Christine Baranski, Emmy winner Gerald McRaney, award winning actress Delta Burke, Broadway and television star Bellamy Young, super model and brand mogul Kathy Ireland, internationally-known percussionist Pedro Segundo, plus University of Mississippi alumni: actress and recording artist Mary Donnelly Haskell, Guy Hovis of the Lawrence Welk Show and Broadway’s Laurie Gayle Stephenson! All performers will be supported by the Mississippians Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Michael Worthy.

Update

Joining the all-star line up is award-winning producer, director, writer, actor, and choreographer, Debbie Allen; internationally renowned concert pianist and recording artist, Bruce Levingston; actor and musician, Blake Ewing and Oxford icon, Patty Lewis.

You will not want to miss this truly spectacular evening!