Museum gears up for annual Henry Street Festival
by S. Rotan Hale
It’s amazing how a gathering of the right individuals can transform any situation into a moment of great inspiration. Whether through the spoken word, music, art, dance or whatever, certain folks with the right energy can simply make it happen.
Such was the case as the Harrison Museum of African American Culture held its annual Sunday Jazz Brunch, Aug. 30 at Hotel Roanoke.
Anyone who has attended this fundraiser, now in its 5th year, will testify to the event’s appeal due to the organizers mix of great music and fine dining all for a great cause.
The multi-course buffet was a site to behold and the music by “Custom Vibe” perfectly complemented each phase of the event as it transitioned from soft and elegant to a flat out ‘raise the roof’ party.
The group performed a jazzy mix of old-school R&B and soul and consisted of: Kelly Gravely, drums; Glenn Holmes, keyboard; Jeff Hoffman, upright bass and Brian Mesko, guitar. Out front were Emily Guill and Terry Brown, a dynamic duo that spiced things up considerably with solid, strong soul-stirring vocals.
The brunch traditionally features a local artist whose works are offered through silent auction. This year it was Alonzo Hubbard who referring to the 4 framed pieces on display, categorized the medium used as 3D Mixed Media. “At first appearance you can’t tell what the medium is… because each piece is actually on wood and has a glass-like finish on them,” he explained.
During prepared remarks, HMAAC board member Joyce Bolden said, Hubbard’s art is simply a tangible expression of how he views his life… it is an expression of love, beauty order and peace; the primary ingredients of our existence.”
A native of Atlanta, GA, Hubbard has been in the area for 6 years and possesses an extremely uplifting outlook on life. He was once a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. However he divested himself from the faith around the time of Muhammad’s death in 1975.
“Each generational culture needs a medicinal effect to get us from one stage of growth to another,” he said with a calm certainty and believes that “medicinal effect” is built into the nature of things.”
During remarks expressing gratitude to the museum for honoring him and his works, Hubbard said, “I have found the key to living a wonderful life. Our lives are given to us to give away. Once we start to love and serve people then people won’t let you down or fail. If you’re not doing well in life, find a way to serve somebody and you won’t have time to think about your troubles and what you don’t have.”
Through his humble words Holland proves himself as a man who genuinely understands the dynamic of unselfish service–a formula we could all take to heart.
Museum board president Charles Price reminded everyone of the “significance of understanding and appreciating our culture.” Price stressed the importance of “preparing the next generation to continue our (African American) legacy and the development of our communities.”
In closing Bolden took the opportunity to announce activities regarding the 26th Henry Street Heritage Festival to be held Saturday, Sept. 19 in Roanoke’s Elmwood Park. Briefly she mentioned the return of the Dessert Bake-off contest as part of the festival which is the museum’s biggest event.
Bands as Chemistry, Signature Sound and Spectrum will entertain the crowd in addition to a group known as the Soul Steppers who will all lead into such headliners (during the evening) as recording greats Vivian Green, Toney Terry and Johnny Gill.
A lineup of gospel artist will perform in the afternoon as well as the return of the Roanoke’s Got Talent Contest that features local amateurs and is always a hit at this much-anticipated event.
