The Morton Theatre Corporation presents the Day of Jubilee Gospel Celebration

 Saturday, May 4, 2019, 6 pm

 On Thursday, May 4, 1865—what became known as the “Day of Jubilee”—Union soldiers arrived in Clarke County and freed the county’s roughly 5,000 enslaved Africans. These emancipated slaves hoisted an American flag up the flagpole in front of Athens Town Hall and danced in ecstatic celebration around “the flagpole of liberty.”

 Now, 154 years later,  MTC is joining with the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), Fred Smith of the Athens Area Black History Committee, and various community leaders to celebrate this historic occasion with a vigil, remembrance and concert to honor the area’s African-American ancestors, particularly those whose remains were discovered during the renovation at the University of Georgia’s Baldwin Hall and reinterred at Oconee Hill Cemetery in 2017.

 The gospel celebration will feature performances by

·         Ebenezer Baptist Church West Sanctuary Choir

·         East Friendship Baptist Church Voices of Life

·         Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Choir.

 Suggested donation of $5 cash at the door.

Prior to the gospel celebration, community members will gather at 5 pm at Athens City Hall for a short program—“Honoring Our Ancestors”— before marching down Washington Street to the Morton Theatre.

 The event is open to the public, and donations are gratefully accepted. All are welcome! 

 For further information, call 706-613-3771 or email board@mortontheatre.com.