By Lil Nickelson
The Harlem School of the Arts located at 645 St. Nicholas Avenue was the location chosen by the Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation (“HCFF”) for the “55 Years Soul 1969 – 2024,” legacy tribute reception and dinner.
Major sponsors of the reception were the Harlem Community Development Corporation and PB Brasserie Steakhouse. The host for tonight’s event was Harlem’s own Doug E. Fresh.
The event began on a beautiful fall evening at 6:30pm with a cocktail reception in the outdoor garden area with a steel drummer playing his instrument softly as attendees snacked on appetizers of mushroom risotto balls, chicken spring rolls, and mini croquettes. Cocktails available included red & white wine along with water, and signature cocktails made with tequila and Harlem’s favorite Uncle featuring Uncle Nearest premium whiskey & Uncle Waithley’s ginger beer.
During the cocktail hour I got a chance to sit down and chit chat with Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s restaurant, who was during appearances that weekend of the New York City Wine & Festival events. Melba was available to attend because she always tells the world how she was born, raised, and buttered in Harlem just like me. Melba and I were joined at our location by Harriet Cole (a life stylist, and author), and Tinu (an online digital creator), in the outdoor garden area. Vy Higginsen, popped outside looking refreshed and fabulous even though she just attended her sister friend’s Cissy Houston home going service the day before.
Guests were invited inside to be seated for dinner at 8pm. The first course was a field green salad with shrimp and a house vinaigrette. You have a choice between salmon bearnaise or roasted chicken au jus for the entrée. The salmon was roasted organic with fingerling potatoes and Brussel sprouts, while the chicken was served with truffled mushrooms risotto and asparagus. The dessert course was select petit fours treats.
Inspired by the Oscar Award Winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” HCFF is a 501 ©3 non-profit committed to ensuring the legacy of the 1969 Festival creates a cultural, economic, and social impact in Harlem for generations to come. Its mission is to protect and preserve the legacy of Harlem’s culture, heal the community through health equity, youth development, and economic empowerment initiatives, provide opportunity, and accelerate progress.
The Rakiem Walker Project was the evening’s musical band directed by Rakiem Walker, and the DJ was DJ Marc Smooth. Since it was a live musical tribute to celebrate fifty-five years of soul music; it included a Calypso tribute to Tony Lawrence, the St. Kitts & Nevis native who was the founder of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Tony Lawrence’s mission in 1969 was to celebrate the cultural contributions of Black diaspora through soul, jazz and gospel and Black music and culture and promoted Black pride with Harlem at the center, the Black Woodstock.
The performances began at 9pm and each performer made their musical selection as a tribute to one of the musical legends who performed at the 1969 festival.
We Ani, a season 21 contestant on American Idol sang “If I Were Your Woman,” to salute Gladys Knight & The Pips.
Elijah Admad Lewis, Vy Higginsen’s godson, a vocal instructor, composer, and co-music director for the Mama Foundation for the Arts (School of the Gospel, Jazz, and R&B Arts) and the critically acclaimed group Sing Harlem sang “My Girl,” to salute David Ruffin & The Temptations.
Gloria Ry’Ann, lead singer for The Rakiem Walker Project sang, “I Was Made to Lover Her,” to salute Stevie Wonder.
Monifah Carter, R & B singer, and actor sang “I Put A Spell On You,” to salute Nina Simone.
Christopher Williams, R & B singer, and actor sang “The Thrill is Gone,” to salute BB King. Christopher also sang, “Never Would Have Made It,” by Marvin Sapp, as well as his own song “Dreamin.”
All of the artists joined the stage at the end of their performances, and our host Doug E. Fresh blessed the audience by breaking out with one of his signature “beat box” tunes to put us over the top, and everyone was up on their feet dancing and jamming to his beat.
The weather was still nice out as I departed from the event, and I walked the six blocks
home singing multiple verses of “Dreamin,” by Christopher Williams. I cannot wait to
see what musical events the Harlem Cultural Festival and its foundation have in store
for Harlem in 2025.
Lil Nickelson
Lil Nickelson is a Senior Consultant with an MBA degree focused on Finance and Financial Management Services from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Skilled in sales, management, business development, marketing strategy, and social media, with a history of working in the food and beverages industry. Her column “Dining with Miss Lil” has been featured in Harlem newspapers and with Harlem World Magazine for numerous years.
Photo Credits: Lil Nickelson
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