If old-time gospel music isn’t enough reason to get out to Proctors on Sunday, the chance to honor a Schenectady legend, Georgetta Dix, might be.

The Gospel Jubilee, featuring singers, musicians and dancers from the Capital Region and downstate, was the long-time dream of Proctors marketing manager Sara Hill.

“It is a deep-felt, passionate event that I have been wanting to do for a long time,” said Hill, who grew up in Schenectady listening to gospel music at her church.

In addition to the music, the event serves as a tribute to Dix, the late pastor of the Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ, which she and her husband, Pastor Eugene W. Dix, founded in Schenectady in 1955.

Georgetta Dix was a staunch community activist, opening a day care center in Schenectady in 1965 and lobbying the state Legislature for day care, working as a social worker in inner city schools, ministering to people in recovery, and serving on several local boards and committees. She died in 2004.

Combined choirs

Opening the evening will be a combined mass choir, comprising singers from New Bethel Community Church in Schenectady, Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church in Albany, the Union College Heavenly Voices choir, and Albany Church Of God Of Prophecy, accompanied by the Hamilton Hill Arts Center Steel Drummers. Leading the choir is Rev. Elgin Joseph Taylor Sr., pastor of Sweet Pilgrim and Nobie Teague, wife of Vincent Teague, pastor of New Bethel.

“This jubilee is going to be joyous,” Nobie Teague said. “Just come out and enjoy some good gospel music.”

The music will be a mix of old and contemporary gospel music. Wa’Kena Jackson, Dix’s eldest granddaughter, thinks people will especially enjoy the older songs and remember them from their youth.

Read the full story by Joanne E. McFaden in the GAZETTE: 

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2012/apr/19/0419_gospel/