Johnny Gill, Andre Ward at Pearl White Gala - Sept. 13

photo In addition to his solo career as a singer and songwriter, Johnny Gill gained fame as a member of New Edition.

IF YOU GO• What: Pearl White Gala• When: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza• Admission: $65 general, $85 VIP• Phone: 855-TOMOCHA• Website: www.sharonseniorservices.com

photo Jazz artist Andre Ward began playing music at age 8. His talent on alto sax has won him acclaim on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts.

R&B singer Johnny Gill and smooth jazz saxophonist Andre Ward will headline the eighth annual Pearl White Gala, set for Friday, Sept. 13, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Hosts for the evening will be comedians Huggy Lowdown and Chris Paul.

Proceeds benefit SJK of Chattanooga, the nonprofit arm of Sharon's Adult Day Centers and Rose of Sharon's Senior Village.

The organization's stated mission is to increase the quality of life for area seniors and offset the cost of adult day care, in-home personal care and assisted-living services to low-income families by supplying scholarships to the elderly and disabled.

"We have been serving families for the past eight years with this funding at a total cost of $197,000 to date," says company founder Sharon Kelly.

Previous galas, she says, have drawn capacity crowds of 1,200 to sell out the concert hall.

Tickets are available by phone and online, as well as these ticket outlets: Mocha Restaurant and Music Lounge, 511 Broad St.; Herman's Soul Food, 3821 Brainerd Road; and Heavenly Styles Salon and Day Spa, 490 Greenway View Drive.

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