Take a Breath! Summer is Here!

Congratulations are in order for the entire committee, co-chairs and staff of the recent “Legacy of Champions” luncheon.

On a Saturday morning, the team was busy hustling in the ballroom of the Delray Beach Marriott, preparing it for guests, honorees and the featured speaker, Willie Gary. Five hours later, the ballroom was emptied, except for the feeling of relief,  as the event ended with good memories and lasting impressions.

Highlights included kind words delivered by EPOCH board member Dr. Talbert Shaw and his wife, Marlene, to Mr. Gary — a good friend of their family; Mr. Gary arriving (albeit a bit delayed due to a snarl on I-95) to a crowd of young well-wishers; old connections made new from friends who don’t see each other enough; and bouquets of flowers presented to Mrs. Gary and guest MC Tania Rogers of WPTV Newschannel 5.

Now that the April 17 luncheon has passed, the summer has settled over the museum. Staff prepares for visits from summer campers, coming to enjoy “Florida’s Got the Blues; ” visits from local teachers for a June workshop to learn about Florida history; and visits from museum guests, seeking a cultural spot to seek shade and the A/C.

The pace calms a bit. The museum quiets a bit. The breath returns slowly. Welcome summertime!

In the Midst of Everything, A New Exhibit on Florida Blues

Our “Legacy of Champions” luncheon is April 17.  Hope you have your ticket…

We just wrapped an April 8 Trolley Tour, and summer looming with our Kids’ Cultural Club activities.

But in the midst of it all, we remain a museum that offers our community wonderful interpretations of African and Caribbean culture within an American framework.

On April 13, we open “Florida’s Got the Blues” as our summer exhibit.  We invite you to come by and learn how African-American people contributed to Florida’s legacy in this musical genre. We’re so proud to say that no where else but the Spady will you see this type of intimate, interactive show in Palm Beach County.

Florida’s relationship with the sultry, emotional music known as the blues, dates back far enough for us to showcase a historical retrospective on the subject.

“Florida’s Got the Blues” will run from April 13-July 3, 2010 at the Spady Museum, 170 NW Fifth Avenue, Delray Beach. The engaging exhibit explores Early Blues, Florida Women and the Blues, Blues Clubs and Jook Joints, Depression Blues and the WPA Recordings, Popular Music and the Blues, and Contemporary Blues.

Some of the promotional materials for the exhibit ask:  Did you know that Florida has a long blues tradition? Did you know that the blues artist with the highest number of 78–rpm records was Tampa Red, who grew up in Florida? And did you know that Blind Blake – perhaps the greatest ragtime and blues guitarist – is connected with Jacksonville, Florida?

These early blues men are just a few of the highlighted artists in this popular exhibit celebrating Florida’s blues tradition.

During the summer, when the Spady Museum will welcome teachers participating in a local history workshop, several returning children’s field trips and library patrons with LAMP passes, the exhibit has welcome interactive features, such as audio component, kiosk, a blues documentary on DVD, a two-dimensional cut-out of a blues band and a 7’ x 5’ checkered dance floor.

When it’s hot outside — and when it is not? — stop by the Spady for air-conditioned culture.