Performance History Highlights

This page is still in progress–please excuse the rough edges .

Awards and nominations

Johnny Jackson Jr Gospel is Alive Honoree for contributions to the New Orleans Gospel Community (5/1/2023)

NOLA Gospel Awards (1/16/2020)

Gambit’s Big Easy Awards (nominated 4/2012, performed 4/19/04)

Community and Outreach Events
Victory Fellowship Feed the Multitudes (7/4/2024 and 2022)
Magnolia Community Services (6/20/2023 and 6/1/2024)
Program of Hope ministry to the unhoused, First Presbyterian (6/21/2023)
Lights on the Lake (12/18/2021): our return to public performance after COVID
NOLA4Women’s Summit on Women and Girls (12/1/2018)
Service for those who died homeless. St. Joseph Church (12/4/2017)
Passages Hospice Memorial Service (6/24/2017)
Greater New Orleans R Dedication (11/5/2016)
National Park Service Centennial (8/25/2016)
Loving Day, New Orleans Healing Center (6/12/2015)
Orleans Parish prison workers Christmas (2015?)
Orleans Parish re-entry Program (read more about the program) Christmas 2014
St. Jude Community Center Benefit at Mahalia Jackson Center (7/21/2012)
Zulu Gospel Ensemble 35^th anniversary (10/11/2015, 8/23/2105)
Baptist Community Ministries Board Holiday Party (12/5/2013)
Chateau de Notre Dame (5/18/13)
Racial Harmony concert at Immaculate Conception Church (6/1/2012)
Hollygrove Community garden (5/14/2012)
Plaquemines Parish trip (3/30/2012)
D Day Museum (12/27/2011)
New Orleans Museum of Art (12/1/2012 and 8/24/2007)
Café Reconcile 10^th Anniversary Mass, Immaculate Conception Church (9/11/2010)
Inauguration of Mayor Landrieu (5/3/2010)
Legacy Donor Foundation Benefit (3/28/2010)
City Park Concert Series, Pavillion of the two Sisters (8/13/2009)
Divabetics, Generations Hall (6/7/2009)
Wednesdays in the Park City Park (4/8/2009)
Presbyterian Youth Workers Association Conference (11/12/2008)
Legacy Donor Foundation Soul Revival, Fulton Street (3/8/2008)
Remember November: Crowley, LA (11/15/07)
Entergy Low Income Summit Conference (10/16/07)
United House of Prayer for All People (10/12/07)
Xavier University (9/28/07)
Episcopal House of Bishops (9/20/07)
Social Justice Biennial Conference (1/11/07)
Loyola President’s Forum (3/26/07)
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference of Pastors (2/6/07)
Lieutenant Governor’s Economic Summit (2/2/07)
Martin Luther King Peace Week: Tulane University (1/17/07)
Lusher Parents Benefit (12/8/07)
Voices in the Oaks: Black History Month, Audubon (2/9/07)
Timberland Company: Social Justice (12/12/06)
National Association of State Treasurers (12/04/06)
National Lieutenant Governors Conference (12/01/06)
Louisiana Governor’s Arts Awards (11/08/06)
Association of Small Foundations (10/28/06)
Annual Gathering of Choirs (10/23/06)
Share Our Strength Conference (10/21/06)
Polhad Family Foundation (6/2/06)
Nagin Mayoral Inauguration (6/1/06)
Public Services Convention (5/1/06)
City Park Swing in the Oaks (4/26/06)
French Market New Orleans (2/26/06 and 12/4/04)
Louisiana Cultural Convention (8/25/05)
Fraternal Order of Police: International Convention (8/1/05)
Monteagle, TN (7/16 – 7/17/05)
Sponsor Gospel Brunch (5/15/05)
VOA Retirement Home (4/30/05)
WWOZ (4/24/05 and 11/13/04)
National Ministry Conference (4/6/05)
Project Jeremiah Fund Raiser (11/7/04)
Neighborhood Gallery Fund Raiser (9/4/04)
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (8/24/04)
Dominion & Power Ministries (8/22/04)
Episcopal Clergy Convocation (5/18/04)
Mayor’s State of the City Address (5/3/04)
Jean Lafitte Park (4/26/04)
Caring For America (2/27/04)
Amos Network/Jackson Mississippi (1/24/04)
Martin Luther King Performance in Armstrong Park (1/19/04)
Lieutenant Governor’s Inaugural Mass (1/11/04)
Eracism (11/15/03)
Christian Building Ministries (11/15/03)
Channel 4 TV Morning Show (10/20/03)
Rejoicing in the Park (10/18/03)
International Literacy Fundraiser (9/27/03 and 9/28/02)
Catholic Charities News Conference (9/5/03)
National Jazz Historical Park (7/19/03 and 12/14/02)
National Teachers’ Association Convention (7/2/03)
St. Thomas Health Clinic Benefit (6/26/03)
McGehee’s School (3/10/2018, 2/20/03)
Rejoicing in the Park (10/19/02)
Loyola University (9/12/02)
Farmer’s Market (5/11/02)
New Orleans “Care Again” Campaign: This series included choir members’ presentations of personal memories of racism, and small-group discussions with audience members in each of New Orleans five council districts (10/7/03-1/13/04)

Hurricane Katrina
Mayor’s Katrina 5 commemoration, Jackson Square (8/29/2010)
First anniversary commemorations, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Sinai (8/29/06) and Desire Street Ministries (8/29/06)
New Orleans Museum of Art Re-Opening (3/3/06)
Mid-City Neighborhood Re-Building Rally (4/15/06)
Habitat work day
Sang for various local churches who were without choirs including
Macedonia Church of God in Christ in the upper ninth ward at its first Holy Communion service since Pastor Dave Jones’ return from Katrina

Places of Worship

Third Sunday Concert Series at Christ Episcopal Church, Covington (1/19/2024)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (4/21/2024)
St. Anna’s Episcopal Church (3/19/2023)
St. James Major (2021-22--our Covid host)
St. Charles Baptist Church (11/12/2024, also 2023 and 2003)
Greater Emmanuel M.B.C. service honoring Rev. Dr. Robert Myers (12/19/2021)

Christian Fellowship Cathedral Anniversary Concert (2/25/2018)
Bernard’s church Angie, LA (12/16/2017)
Beautiful Zion (6/26/2016)
Blessed Seelos Church St Cecilia Benefit (11/22/2011)
Christ Episcopal Church (8/27/06 [Katrina anniversary], 12/6/03)
Evening Star Baptist Church (Juneteenth 2019)
First Baptist Church, for Baptist Theological Seminary (6/15/2008)
Franklin Avenue Baptist Church (1/2010, 10/17/04)
Free Church of the Annunciation (Dedication 2/4/07, concert 1/15/06)
Grace Church (5/4/07, 5/5/06, 4/22/05)
First United Methodist Church (8/5/07)
Gates of Prayer (9/25/2006)
Haven Methodist Church (12/9/07)
Historical United Haven-Trinity Methodist Chuch (12/9/2007)
Holy Name Catholic Church (11/21/02)
Holy Spirit Church People Program Benefit (11/15/2010)
Lakeview Presbyterian (9/20/2009)
Navigators Christian Fellowship (11/19/2017, 6/27/2013, 1/21/2012, 12/02/06)
New Home Full Gospel Church Broadmoor (8/24/03)
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (12/8/02)
St. Charles Borromeo Church Fund Raiser (4/2/06, concerts 6/22/05, 10/10/02)
St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church: P.A.C.E. (5/21/04)
St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (9/3/2008)
St. Joseph’s Church (2/29/2012)
St Maria Goretti Haitian Partnership Annual Concert (6/25/2017, 6/2/2013, 6/7/2009)
St. Paul’s (3/25/2017, 4/6/2018)
St. Philip Neri (9/7/2016)
Temple Sinai (Martin Luther King Day 1/18/08, 1/14/05 and 3/21/04)
Touro Synagogue (4/27/07, 11/8/02)
Tree of Life Baptist Church (10/21/07)
Trinity Church (9/26/04, 11/12/01)
Trinity Episcopal Church (11/5/03, 11/12/01, 10/20/02)
WR Methodist Church (2017)

Christmas events

Algiers Bonfire (12/7/2024, 12/2/2024)
Caroling in the Chapel, Ursuline Shrine Centennial (12/8/2024)
Shades own annual Christmas Concerts:
            First Presbyterian (12/12/2024, 12/14/2023)
            St. James Major (12/11/2022)
            Beacon Light International Baptist Cathedral (12/6/19)
Poydras Home Holiday celebration (11/302023)
Riverwalk Mall Christmas celebration (12/8/2022)
Lambeth House Christmas concert (12/13/2018)
Christmas Concert, Sacred Heart Nims Center (12/8/2016)
St. Augustine Church (12/10/2016)
St. Charles Presbyterian (12/4/2013)
Caroling (12/15/12)
St. Louis Cathedral Christmas New Orleans Style Concerts (12/27/2024, 12/12/2018, 12/12/11, 12/16/2010, 12/18/07, 12/13/06, 12/18/05 with Philip Manuel, 12/20/03, 12/12/02)
Louisiana Philharmonic Concert (12/2010 & 12/11/04))
French Quarter Xmas Tree Lighting, first post-Katrina (12/1/07)
LPO/Trombone Shorty Concert (12/11/07)
French Market Christmas Concert (12/16 and 12/2/06, 12/6/06 very cold!)
“Celebrate” Hilton Riverside (1/01/07, 12/29/06)
Kingsley House (12/16/06)
Christmas Concert: Loyola University (12/9/05)
French Quarter Christmas Concert (12/17, 12/10, 12/3/05)
“New Orleans Is Back” Concert (12/20/05)
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan (12/22/05)
Celebrate the Child 2014 Christmas Concert (12/10 & 12/11/04)
Celebrate The Child Christmas Bus Tour (12/18/04, 12/14/03)
Cornerstone Choir’s Christmas Concert (12/23/01)

Festivals

Jazz & Heritage Festival (annually since 2003)
Gentilly Festival (10/2024)
New Orleans East Festival Joe E. Brown Park (9/16/2024 and 2023)
Praise Fest, Bayou St. John (10/16/2024, 10/19/2019)
BrunchFest NOLA for SPCA in City Park (4/3/2016)
Washington Parish Fair (10/19/13)
Riverside Church Annual Fall Festival (10/26/2008)
Road Trip, Catfish Festival, Winnsboro, LA (4/12/2008)
Smithsonian CultureFest (10/28/07)
Old Algiers Cultural Kick-Off (10/25/2008)
Old Algiers Festival (2008, 2007?)
Old Algiers River Festival (4/5/07, 6/4/06, 4/17/05)
Soul Festival Audubon Park (3/1/2008, 6/17/07, 6/17/06, 6/19/05)
Gretna Heritage Festival (10/6/07)
Bayou Boogaloo (5/26/07)
Louisiana Family Recovery (6/16/06)
Black Heritage Festival (3/13/05, 3/13/04, 3/16/03)
Freret Street Festival (4/2/05)
LaRose French Food Festival (10/30/04)
French Quarter Festival 2002, 2004

Travels

Alexandria LA: Fall Festival hosted by St. James Episcopal Church (10/16-17/2016)

Mobile, AL: “I Believe” program for Strickland Youth Detention center (11/6/2010)

St. Paul and Minneapolis: “Raising Our Voices: Shades of Praise Weekend” 2008

Wake Forest, North Carolina 11/11-11/13/05

Sponsored by Wake Forest University, Wake Forest Unity Baptist Medical Center, with Union Baptist Church, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, and Mars Hill Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.

Seven performances, bringing together organizers from ten different spiritual organizations and 46 Shades, singing before over 2000 people, performing/gathering at four churches–Unity Baptist, New Hope Baptist, Morning Star Baptist, and St. Mary’s Basilica–and two grade schools.

Oxford, Mississippi Martin Luther King Day 1/17/05

35^th anniversary of school desegregation

Ireland Tour 3/19-3/28/03

A tour to bridge sectarian divides, with stops and performances at Omagh, N. Ireland (Rowan Hall, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and First Omagh Presbyterian Church) Belfast (Knock Presbyterian Church), and Dublin, Ireland: (Blessed Sacrament Church, Donnybrook Church, Church of Adam and Eve, and City Hall.
Omagh’s Community Youth Choir visited in return, performing at Trinity Episcopal Church (8/5/2011), and together with Shades at St. Francis of Assisi (7/27/05). Watch them sing in New Orleans: at the Jazz Museum and in Jackson Square

In return Shades has hosted Visitors from multiple countries and states including Sho Ishida from NHK Japanese television after Katrina, choirs from Amherst, Radcliffe, and Yale Colleges, and City Soul community choir from Canada

Other:

Gala (Newcomb Alumni 3/5/15, Race & Religion 2/7/2014)
Loyola University (annually 2005-2011)
Gospel Night at the Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall 10/19/2018 with Covenant Church choir
Jones Walker (6/24/2017)
NCF International Carbohydrate Symposium Cultural night, St. Louis Cathedral (8/2/2016)
Sugar Bowl National Anthem (Al Bemis arrangement 1/2009)
Insurance Underwriters Convention: New Orleans (1/29/05)
Mardi Gras World (6/22/2016)
New Orleans Hornets Game (3/4/05)
Avectra Corporation Conference (3/12/07)
Sugar Bowl Half Time Show (1/03/07)
Windsor Court (4/25/05)
Ponchartrain Hotel (4/10/05)
Voodoo Football Game: National Anthem (5/9/04)
House of Blues (4/30)

Recordings

20^th anniversary of Katrina Blue Cross Blue Shield video “Our Home New Day” by Jep Epstein (5/14-16/15)
“We Shall Not Be Moved” video (March 2008)
Recording backup for Donna Lisa Ware’s CD, Word of Mouth Studio (2008)
Crescent City Resurrection DVD (2/4/06 recorded Piety Studio)
Ultrasonic Studio: Second CD Recording Sessions (8/3-8/5/04)
Spirit of Louisiana Filming: Gallier Hall (6/27/04)
Where You Belong
Ten Years On: A Sweet Aroma of Praise
Celebrate the Child
God is Still Doing Great Things

Video & Print:

Great Day Louisiana WWL (8/18/2023) and one more song

Shades of Praise: a choir without a church. Jan Risher. New Orleans. (12/01/2014)

Shades of Praise choir raises voices of hope, joy, peace. Mary Rickard, Times-Picayune. (11/21/2011)

Getting the Spirit at Gospel Camp, Offbeat (10/14/2011)

Katrina and Three Tales of Endurance npr. (8/26/2010)

Elbows Together, Hearts Apart: Institutional Reform, Economic Opportunity and Social Trust in Post-Katrina New Orleans, academic article by Shades co-founder Michael Cowan, Seattle Journal of Social Justice, 2008

Interracial Choir Becomes Lifeline After Katrina. NPR (3/4/2006)