Events include poetry readings from Pegasus, ABAC's literary magazine, at 11 a.m.; an ABAC Student Writers Conference at 1:30 p.m.; and performances by ABAC's Sabor Latino Dancers at 6 p.m.
Musical performances include the ABAC Concert Band, directed by Eugene Wyles, and the ABAC Concert Choir, directed by Wayne Jones, at noon; the Tift County High School Show Choir at 12:40 p.m.; the ABAC Gospel Choir, advised by James Weeks, at 4:30 p.m., the ABAC Saxophone Quintet, directed by Wyles, at 5 p.m.; the ABAC Brass Quintet, directed by Don Coates, at 5:15 p.m.; and the ABAC Jazz Choir, directed by Jones, at 5:30 p.m. For more information on George Scott Day, contact Coates at (229) 386-3094.
The 23rd annual ABAC Jazz Festival will take place along with George Scott Day. The Jazz Festival will feature performances by area high school musicians on the front lawn. Bands scheduled to perform include the following: Clinch County High School at 11 a.m., Tift County High School at 11:30 a.m., Tiftarea Academy at noon, Fitzgerald High School at 12:30 p.m., Perry High School at 1:45 p.m., Lowndes High School at 2:15 p.m., and the Valdosta High School Combo at 2:45 p.m. The ABAC Jazz College Ensemble, directed by Coates, will perform at 1 p.m.
Hispanic author Judith Ortiz-Cofer will speak to ABAC English classes at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. She will also give a public reading at 4 p.m. in the Cordell Conference Room. Steve Turre and his Jazz Quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Donaldson Dining Hall as a part of the Arts Station Entertainment Series. This is the only event of the day which requires a ticket purchase.
Ortiz-Cofer is the author of a collection of essays, a novel, a collection of poetry and essays, and two books of poetry. Her work is included in numerous textbooks and anthologies. She has received awards and fellowships for her writing and is the Franklin Professor of English and the Director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Georgia.
Turre is a preeminent jazz innovator, trombonist, and a member of the Saturday Night Live Band. For additional information about this concert or to purchase tickets, contact the ABAC Arts Station at (229) 386-3558, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. General admission is $20 for adults and $17 for students. ABAC students are admitted free.
George Scott Day and Jazz Festival activities are free of charge; members of the community are invited to attend. In the event of rain, George Scott activities will be held in Room 319 in Conger Hall, and Jazz Festival activities will be held in the Donaldson Dining Hall.
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