The 2020 “Thanks For Giving” Awards and Celebration Concert, Set for THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas, to feature Motown Artists Come to D—Town to Honor Legacy Leaders Across SEARK.
It’s that time of the year again, the Annual “Thanks For Giving” Awards and Celebration Concert is set. Last year, the City of Dumas and SEARK was treated to a superb day of festive entertainment honoring individuals who gave of themselves in 2019 and prior years to their community. This year, the event returns to THE LEGACY CENTER located at 501 W. Bowles in an outdoor festive setting that will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. It is set for Saturday, November 21, from 1pm—5pm. The full schedule will be released on next week. The full list of 2020 Award Recipients will be announced at the event.
In the November 20, 2019 issue of the Clarion you saw the choirs and talent review from the 2019 “Thanks For Giving” Concert and Awards presentation held on November 17, at ‘The Auditorium’ at the Dumas High School. The performers brought the audience to their feet. The recipients brought the audience to moments of joy and tears. The crowd was over 300-plus in attendance all rejoicing the UAPB choir of 60+ and the Dumas Junior High and High School Choirs and the special guest from Dallas, Texas, LeTitia Owens and Project Identity gave the audience soul-stirring and uplifting entertainment.
This year, Motown comes to D-Town with award-winning producers and artists. It will be the start of a national tour from Dumas to D.C. Headlining the tour features Parkes Stewart. Others will be signing on. Recording artist and songwriter Parkes Stewart has made a name for himself.
He recorded two Gospel albums in the early and mid-90s, a self-titled Light Records debut and a wonderful Sophomore project Another Chapter Psalms 51 that is still in rotation till this day. In 2004 he released a soulful project which featured both Gospel and tasteful R/B songs called Heart and Soul Nexus.
He has written songs for other artists such as ”Cry On” for 112 on the tribute to Notorious B.I.G. (over 3 million copies sold), ”Open Arms” &” More than Just A Melody” for Yolanda Adams, and one of the biggest hits of all times for Commissioned, ”Ordinary Just Won’t Do” which was used by Dave Hollister.
The College of Aspiring Artists is signing on artists who will be joining the tour that will run from November 21, 2020, through April 4, 2021, and conclude on the National Mall at the MLK Memorial. It is being billed as a Healing, Hope and Love Tour and will feature new Christmas music and multiple genres for music lovers across the nation.
A spotlight awards presentation saying, ‘thanks for giving’ will go to the Dumas GoFresh D—CREW for their outstanding volunteer service to thousands of families in Dumas and SEARK who have been served fresh foods on a weekly basis during the past several months by Dumas leaders with the REDI, Rural Economic Development Innovation initiative. Over 75 volunteers teamed up to make it happen.
The D—CREW is, Delta Creative Economy Workforce and is composed of volunteers who worked from Dumas, Earle, McGehee, Dermott, Mitchellville, Pickens, Tillar and other townships and cities.
The event is free, but tickets are required and can be acquired online or from donors who will have a limited supply. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the leaders have not been paid, ‘but have paid out monies’ to keep the program moving. Going out in harm’s way to be sure that the distribution of $350,000 in food would not be turned away, the team has prevailed.
The College of Aspiring Artists and ASC Property Management are the Backbone Partners who are working to get funding beyond the submission of a Strategic Plan by the end of January. Donations are needed to help with operations until funding is approved. Donations and ticket information can be found at www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org
For more information contact, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D., 870.623.8179, Annette Cowen at 870.382.5141, Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356.
