If you missed the Taste of Soul Sunday this year, you missed a lot. More than a thousand people attended the event on Sunday February 18, 2007 and, like last year, the event was a huge success. All of the presenters and performers were outstanding.
This is the line to get in before we opened our doors on Sunday!!!
Photo by Amanda Bridle
The musical presentation focused on the history of African Americans in music. From Gospel to R&B, the performances truly captured the essence of the history and the talent represented in those genres. Carolyn Quinn was stupendous and her vocal renditions of songs like Amazing Grace, Your Grace and Mercy and others were absolutely fitting for the Gospel genre. The baritone voice of Dave Humphrey really did take you back to an era were Spirituals held all the hope and comfort of an oppressed group of people. Jazz and Blues was more than adequately covered by Sweet Willie Singleton, he is a local musician with experience that spans decades and talent that spans genres. Kevin Murphy represented the history of R&B very well and he performed everything from Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally” to Billy Ocean's “Caribbean Queen”. And if the musical performances left you thirsty for more, the library staff created displays of books, cd's and other resources that attendees could have checked out to help them quench their thirst.
Carolyn Quinn
Photo by Dudley James
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was the primary topic in the Vander Veen Center. Dr. Steeve Buckridge and Dr. Freddie Lee Johnson led thought provoking presentations that complemented each other very well. Dr. Buckridge focused on the effects of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa. He showed many slides of his travels to Africa including extensive slides of African slave castles. Dr. Johnson focused on the effects of the slave trade in the United States. Dr. Johnson examined the words and actions behind the U.S. Constitution specifically Article 1 Section 9 and the 13th amendment. Attendees of these presentations were left wanting more.
Dr. Freddie Lee Johnson's History Presentation
Photo by Dudley James
Artist Jon McDonald was on hand to talk about his collection titled "The Blues." The collection consisted of 26 watercolor paintings and Mr. McDonald told the history of how the collection came to be. He also told the story behind each of the paintings. Some of the stories he told not only brought the paintings to life but also brought attendees to tears. Mr. McDonald is truly a gifted artist with a talent for telling a story through his paintings and his words.
Jon MacDonald's Art presentation
Photo by Amanda Bridle
The event also included several other great presentations and performances. There was standing room only in the room where Gad Holland of the Idlewild Foundation presented the history of Idlewild, MI. His presentation included photos, documentaries and frank conversations about Idlewild of the past and present. Dancer Alethia Smith proved to be a great dancer with amazing energy and a knack for teaching African dance and motivating kids.
Then finally, as if all that wasn't enough, attendees got the opportunity to sample food from three different restaurants. Jamaican Dave's, Wing Heaven and LoLo's provided items from their menu and had representatives on hand to provide attendees with information about their restaurants.
Bravo to all of the presenters, performers, staff, volunteers, media representatives and attendees that made this event the success it was and we hope to see you all again next year.
The CD features 49 tracks and 40 artists, most of whom are local. For example, Gretchen DeVault of Grand Rapids' indie pop band The Icicles lends her vocals to Trace Your Hand!, Andy Holtgreive of Domestic Problems helps out on several tracks, as well as other locals. The songs are not only good for kids, but adults will love them too! My favorite song is about tomatoes, and there are no kids in my house.
Original watercolor paintings by local artist Jon McDonald are currently on display at the main library and several branch locations throughout the month of February. The collection, part of a series inspired by the 
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