by Noella Noelophile®
(Graphic courtesy of GLIDE, and used with permission.)
Happy 40th to GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam!
And as they celebrate 40 years of unconditional love and community support through incredible music, GLIDE is about to make their landmark celebration even more unforgettable!
GLIDE’s 40th-anniversary edition of their Annual Holiday Jam, themed “Show Up and Show Out”, returns to The Warfield in San Francisco on Thursday, November 13th. Hosted by Priya David Clemens, this annual concert raises funds to support GLIDE’s mission of love, hope and inclusion in the community.
It’s going to be a don’t-miss event.
Honoring a luminary
The evening’s powerhouse performances, spanning the genres of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, promise to be incredible. And so does a new addition to the program, as GLIDE has announced folk icon and activist Joan Baez as the recipient of the inaugural Lizzie Glide Award!
(Photo courtesy of GLIDE, and used with permission.)
This new award celebrates individuals who carry forward the spirit of inclusion and equity personified by Lizzie Glide, who established the church in 1929. Her goal: to create a place of social justice, education and spiritual care for women, children and the marginalized.
Ninety-six years later, that mission is still going strong, as GLIDE continues to provide services including daily free meals, health access services, childcare, workshops and support through their Family Resource Center, and much more.
With her lifelong dedication to human rights and her thought-provoking music, Joan Baez embodies the principles underlying GLIDE’s mission of hope and positive change.
The program
(Photo courtesy of Alain McLaughlin.)
As do the performers of every GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam.
This year’s headliner is legendary R&B singer/songwriter El DeBarge.
(Photo courtesy of GLIDE, and used with permission.)
With his soaring falsetto and hits including the top-selling “Rhythm of the Night”, El DeBarge has defined an era of soul music–and may well get everyone dancing when he performs!
(Photo courtesy of Gino Lucas.)
Just back from a sold-out 10-city tour, breakout hip-hop and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra will take the stage. Ruby Ibarra has released three albums, including “Bakunawa,” the title cut of which was inspired by both the birth of her first child and Philippine mythology, and which was her winning entry in NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest.
(Photo courtesy of GLIDE, and used with permission.)
Acclaimed contemporary jazz violinist Dominique Hammons will also be performing.
Dominique has been playing classical violin since he was 8. Excerpts from his latest release, “The Sweet Escape”, are featured on his website, and reveal a masterful and energetic style. “No Strings Attached” and “Moonlight” are personal favorites!
That’s a pretty star-studded program. But, there’s more!
Inspiration in action
(Royalty-free image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay.)
Rising jazz/funk musician Miles Turk grew up watching his parents share their musical talents in GLIDE Memorial Church’s music ministry. His creative journey took him first to Oakland School for the Arts and SFJAZZ, then to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
For the 2025 GLIDE Holiday Jam, he takes the stage as a special guest. Miles has assembled a jazz/funk band in partnership with new music education/emerging artists program Follow the Music.
Developed by a group of friends in partnership with arts, entertainment and sports organizations in the area, Follow the Music guides and books young artists as they explore the transformational power of music.
(Photo courtesy of Alain McLaughlin, and used with permission.)
Of course, the nationally acclaimed GLIDE Ensemble and The Change Band, led by Zoe Ellis, will be featured. Even more special guests are to be announced, and there will be a fundraising moment led by Liam Mayclem.
General-admission tickets are available, as well as a catered dinner with admission. Here’s the link for information. And sponsorship opportunities are available.
As GLIDE carries forward their messages of love, hope and possibility for the future, the 40th Annual GLIDE Holiday Jam promises to be a bright light at the start of the Christmas season.