When asked, “How was your Mother’s Day?” most women respond with some version of, “It was lovely.” “My family made me breakfast in bed.” “We went to church together.” “We all went to brunch.” “We had a special dinner.” However, a small group of women had a very special Mother’s Day as they attended a “A Joyful Mother’s Day Evening Music Celebration.” This event was a display of jazz, gospel, and soul held at the Black Business Hub.
In the luxuriously decorated atrium guests were treated to the musical stylings of saxophonist Yancy, Leotha and Tamera Stanley, and Detroit’s own, Gwen Foxx. The room was arranged with round tables decorated in white and various shades of pink. The artists interacted with the audience with opportunities for sing-a-longs and dancing.
After the first set with Yancy, the guests were treated to a wonderful soul food dinner of catfish filets, baked chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and cornbread. There was also an assortment of cakes and pies for dessert. After dinner, Leotha and Tamera Stanley treated the audience to a combination of soul, show tunes, and inspired gospel. Their set ended with a powerful and holy ghost filled version of Donald Lawrence’s “Speak Over Yourself” which brought the audience to its feet.
The final set was commanded by Detroit’s own, Gwen Foxx who performed a combination of Motown, Jill Scott, and Tom Browne’s 1980s hit, “Jamaica Funk.” As she sang, Bobby Caldwell’s “What I Won’t Do for Love,” she encouraged couples in the audience to hit the dance floor. In her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Sign, Sealed, Delivered,” Foxx gave the men and women separate call and response parts to sing to the delight of all. By the time she performed “Jamaica Funk,” a good portion of the ladies hit the dance floor to line dance the evening away.
Although this was an intimate gathering it was a wonderful evening. When Yancy declared you did not need a large number of people to have a good time, some in the crowd responded, “No, you need the RIGHT people!” This event was yet another indicator of the way the Black Business Hub can be used to truly serve the community.
