Beale Street Caravan has big news. The 23-year-old weekly public radio show, heard by more than 3 million people all around the world, is moving its offices to the Crosstown Concourse and partnering with Crosstown Arts.
“We’ll still be our own 501C3 not-for-profit organization,” executive director Kevin Cubbins says. “But we’ll be working with Crosstown Arts on several initiatives I’m really excited about.”
The caravan is on its way.
The Beale Street Caravan Blowout, held this year in the Concourse’s East Atrium, was planned, in part, to celebrate the new move and opportunities. The fund-raiser — once an annual event — was brought back by popular request.
“We took the past couple of years off because these things are taxing for a small staff to pull off,” Cubbins says. “All we heard for the past couple of years was, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re not having a blowout.’ The event had really become a thing for music organizations in the city to come out, and show out, and show their support. It was like, almost like a little reunion every summer.”
The Reverend John Wilkins is playing, as is party band Black Cream, who’ll be appearing with an expanded horn section. “The auction is full of Memphis music memorabilia,” Cubbins says. “There will be Memphis music packages and house concerts.”
