GLIDE is excited to present the Annual Holiday Jam: Keep On, a live benefit concert, on Thursday, November 9, at The Masonic. This event celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Reverend Cecil Williams’ impactful arrival at GLIDE, featuring a star-studded lineup led by famed songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson, alongside the renowned GLIDE Ensemble and the Change Band.
This celebration will spotlight special guests, including:
D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné!
R&B visionary Goapele
Soul singer Martin Luther McCoy
Together, they will deliver heartfelt tributes to Cecil, accentuated by the timeless music of Ashford & Simpson. Priya David Clemens of KQED will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Celebrating Reverend Cecil Williams
Reverend Cecil Williams, a beacon of liberation, justice, and love, has crafted a movement that transcends time. The Holiday Jam honors Cecil’s extraordinary legacy, simultaneously casting a light towards the future, anticipating another 60 years of GLIDE’s dedication to his vision of an unconditionally loving community.
Musical Legacy: Valerie Simpson and Ashford & Simpson
Valerie, with her late husband, Nick Ashford, crafted some of music history's most endearing hits, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Simpson proclaims, “We all have to keep on keeping on and continue to work in unity and lead with love!”
Supporting Comprehensive Services and Expanded Outreach
The GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam annually raises funds for GLIDE’s comprehensive services, providing support for more individuals to move away from the streets, while also advocating policy reform to disrupt intergenerational poverty. Throughout the COVID pandemic, GLIDE magnified its services to include wider mobile outreach, COVID testing, and vaccinations, over 10,000 free weekly meals, and amplified access to resources for health, housing, and legal support.
Tickets and More Information: Visit glide.org/holidayjam, call 415.674.6180, or email festival@glide.org.
Event Details
What: GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Keep On
Where: The Masonic, 1111 California Street, San Francisco
When: Thursday, November 9, 2023; Doors: 5:30 p.m.; Performance: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $75. Sponsorships available from $500.
About GLIDE
GLIDE stands as a nationally acknowledged social justice center, committed to combating systemic injustices, forging pathways from poverty and crisis, and transforming lives by providing comprehensive services and advocating for justice and social equity. GLIDE aims to create an inclusive, just, and loving community, mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.
