It was great being back at a Staxattraxion.
Guests rubbed shoulders with some of the people who personify Stax at the Night Train Fundraising Gala, which was held April 29th at Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Guests included music legends David Porter, Eddie Floyd, Lester Snell, and James Alexander of the Bar-Kays, and Larry Dodson, who was formerly with the group.
This is how the news release described the event, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of Stax Museum: “A celebration of African-American music and culture, it will feature the Stax Museum filled with live music, a silent auction, fantastic cuisine, cocktails, dancing, DJs, and more, all in our newly renovated lobby, gift shop, and mid-century modern lounge, as well as Studio A, Isaac Hayes’ gold-trimmed Cadillac exhibit, and other spaces.”
I covered many Staxtacular parties at the museum. This was the one where you got to also rub shoulders with Memphis Grizzlies players. That is, if you could get your shoulder up that high. The Night Train event was, as the release says, “fashioned to replace our beloved Staxtacular event that raised over $1 million over 10 years.”
So, guests dined on Delta tamales while listening to fife and drum music by Rising Stars, which features Shardé Thomas, granddaughter of the late Othar Turner.
That fife and drum music brought back memories of Turner’s picnics held at his home near Senatobia, Mississippi. That was the first time I ever had goat barbecue. I also locked my truck with the keys inside and the truck running one year at the picnic. Nobody, including a Mississippi sheriff, could get the door open. So, I just walked around and enjoyed the party until a friend opened the truck door with his Ole Miss dorm room key.
But I’m digressing.
Night Train guests also ate shrimp and grits while listening to the great Joyce Cobb and Charlton Johnson perform jazz music.
They heard the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band play soul music, the Street Corner Harmonies perform a cappella tunes, and DJ Battle play music for dancing and/or relaxing. These were all held in different parts of the museum, so guests got a musical tour of the building. Which was appropriate.
About 350 people attended, says Tim Sampson, Soulsville Foundation communications director. They don’t have a total for the amount raised as yet, he says.
The format was changed this year because Staxtacular had run its course, Sampson says. This year’s format will be “the new one going forward.”
And, Sampson adds, “We definitely thought it was a success. People were very very happy with what we presented.”
It’s always cool to visit Stax, even if it’s just to run in and take a peek at the seemingly city-block-long gold-plated peacock blue 1972 Cadillac El Dorado that belonged to the late, great Isaac Hayes.
