In December 2025, Augusta had the opportunity to experience a dazzling evening of music, movement, and meaning at Home for the Holidays @ Paine College—a benefit performance that brought together world-class talent and community spirit in support of Paine College’s next chapter of growth in Augusta.

Headlining the evening was Augusta’s own Russell Joel Brown, a Morehouse College alum whose career has spanned Broadway and the globe. From starring in Disney’s The Lion King across five countries to performing in Smokey Joe’s Café, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Big River, and Ain’t Misbehavin’, Russell’s artistry is unmatched. He’s sung at state funerals for legends like Arthur Ashe and Thurgood Marshall, and his signature show From Mozart to Motown has sold out every performance in Augusta for over twenty years.

The benefit concert delivered a breathtaking lineup:

• An 85-voice choiropens with John Rutter’s Candlelight Carol, followed by soul-stirring renditions of Kirk Franklin’s O Come All Ye Faithful and John P. Kee’s Celebrate.
• A 9-piece band, led by the incomparable George “Paisley” Gordon, sets the stage for musical magic.
• A 10-member hip hop dance ensemblebrings rhythm and energy to the celebration.
• And for a truly unique experience, the evening introduced Bunraku puppetry—a centuries-old Japanese art form known for its emotional depth and exquisite craftsmanship.  Audiences were  captivated by the artistry of James Welch, the visionary behind the Bunraku puppet design, and the expressive choreography of Patience Jackson, whose movement direction will breathe life into this timeless form.