Singers Johnny Gill, Eddie Levert, Dennis Edwards and Gerald Alston will headline Dillard’s annual benefit concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 6, on the Avenue of the Oaks for the first time.

Tickets are $50 general admission and $45 for faculty, staff, alumni and students. They may be purchased from the Development office or via Ticketmaster.com.

All proceeds from the signature fundraiser at Dillard go to student scholarships, according Troy L. Baldwin, vice president of Development.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime concert because all the singers are lead singers in popular groups coming together to perform on the same stage,” said Baldwin. 

The benefit concert series has been held since 2006, starting with Nancy Wilson. Roberta Flack appeared in 2007; the Four Tops in 2008; and Patti Labelle last year.

The concert typically attracts 1,200 to 1,500 audience members including corporate donors, the community and Dillard alumni, said Baldwin.

Dillard is the first stop in a 12-city tour, according to Baldwin.

Levert sang lead on classic million-selling hits by Philadelphia soul group the O’Jays. Edwards sang lead for popular group the Temptations. Gerald Alston sang lead for the Manhattans.

Johnny Gill began with a solo career, then replaced Bobby Brown in the popular group New Edition; he later formed the group LSG with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat.