Summer Jam draws hundreds despite rain

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
[email protected]

Rain, rain go away was the sentiment Saturday night (June 11) as the first annual Summer Jam was underway at the Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park.

Hundreds showed up for the first ever event sponsored by KISR 93.7 and Juneteenth Planning Commission Inc. — despite the rain. Twice during the evening, the performances were delayed because of the rain.

It was one of the hottest concerts to start the summer off with the line-up featuring not only local talent but also national recording artists. Tickets were $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The line-up included artists H-Town, Pretty Ricky, Party Boyz, Lil Wil, Hurricane Chris, Willie P., Cupid, Bobby Lopez, 4th Soil and Twinspirit.

“The Summer Jam will continue for at least the next five years,” said Fort Smith City Director Andre Good.

The JPCI website stated, “Our annual ‘Freedom and Unity’ Celebration is an opportunity to showcase our multicultural history(s) with re-enactments, music, dance, food and fellowship. Because after all, it’s all about ‘Education and Entertainment.’ This is how we learn to live, work and play together. ‘Together, we make our community better!’”

The JPCI donated $1,000 to the Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative from funds raised from the event and will donate another $1,000 at their annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 18. The money will support a statue of Reeves, who was one of the first black Americans to serve as a U.S. Marshal. The statue unveiling is scheduled for spring 2012.

KISR also sold tickets half price to those who would donate school supplies for the Community Clearing House. Children’s Emergency Shelter also got a surprise by some of the artists when they dropped in to see the children and give them an unexpected gift — a keyboard.

One of the most anticipated acts that performed was Cupid. Cupid grew up as Bryson Bernard and began his singing career in his church’s choir, encouraged by his pastor father. He attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a full athletic scholarship in track and field.

How did he know when he had made it big? When in late 2006, Atlantic Records called him up because of the buzz surrounding his local single at the time, “Cupid Shuffle,” and as they say the rest is history. When asked what he would be if his singing career had not worked out: “I would be in sports administration, teaching or coaching. That’s what I was going to college for before I decided to really focus on my singing.”

This is the Juneteenth’s Planning Commission 10-year anniversary with more events planned for June. Link to the Juneteenth website for more event info.