Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, April 5, 2018
(FORT WAYNE) - The Fort Wayne Commission for the Social Status of African American Males and Sweetwater are proud to welcome the return of the Summer Community Celebration on Saturday, August 4, 2018 featuring legendary performers The Ohio Players and The Gap Experience (featuring original members of the Gap Band) at McMillen Park Community Center located at 3901 Abbott Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Ohio Players were formed in 1959 and are an acclaimed American funk and R&B group who enjoyed their greatest success in the 1970s, notably with their No. 1 album "Fire", and hail from Dayton, Ohio. The Gap Experience are the core group who wrote, recorded and toured the world as The Gap Band and are bringing the original rhythm and funk back to the masses.
The celebration is a free admission, all-ages event that is open to the general public. The goals of Summer Community Celebration are for far-reaching community unification for all of Fort Wayne and to positively promote civic engagement, small business, social service awareness, family unity, community pride, fatherhood recognition and engagement, assist in building networks and highlight wrap-around services.
"This event is momentously uplifting for a community that has been in desperate need for an avenue to bring generational unity to the 6th district. This event not only provides a positive opportunity for families to assemble and experience a real sense of community, it also aids in civic consciousness, small business revenue, social service awareness, scholarship opportunities and acts as a platform to help in dismantling the negative perceptions of African American fathers and their participation in their children's lives and academic success. Seeing City of Fort Wayne residents and their families experiencing the positive atmosphere of the Summer Community Celebration and knowing that the Fort Wayne business community came together to sponsor the event made the event that much more inspirational and encouraging" Glynn Hines 6th District Councilman.
The 2017 event featured an amazing performance by the Isley Brothers and welcomed over 4,500 attendees, 30 social services agencies and 25 small business vendors. Over 1,000 book bags were donated that included school supplies for fathers who took a pledge to volunteer three times at their child's school, help them with their homework and escort them to class on the first day of school. Two Scholarships were also handed out to two local African American students pursuing post-secondary education. Four local fathers were also honored for their dedication and participation in the academic and social success of their children and other youth in the community.
About The Fort Wayne Commission for the Social Status of African American Males:The organization focuses on the empowerment of African American males by providing men in the community with access to information and assistance in primarily five focuses areas. Those areas include, but are not limited to health and wellness, education, employment, criminal justice, and other mitigating social factors.
About The Ohio Players: The Ohio Players came into musical prominence in the 1970's as pioneers of street funk and underground R&B. After signing with Mercury Records in 1974 through 1977 The Ohio Players landed three consecutive platinum albums "Skin Tight, "Fire", and "Honey". They also had two number one singles on the billboard pop charts "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster" and five number one R&B singles "Funky Worm," "Fire," "Sweet Sticky Thing", "Love Rollercoaster," and "Who'd She Coo". The Ohio Players traveled the world and produced more than a dozen albums and received 14 gold and platinum awards for their labors. They also appeared on many national television programs including Dick Clark, Don Kushner, to David Letterman. There is a long list of artists who have sampled or re-recorded their material including Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Salt-N-Pepa, Too $hort, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.
Currently the band features ten members, four of which are original including James "Diamond" Williams (Drums), Billy Beck (Keyboard), Clarence Willis (Lead Guitar), Robert Kuumba,(Percussion). One might think the band members could now sit back, and count their gold and platinum records, enjoy the memories and fade into an easy retirement. Nothing could be further from the truth. These guys have maintained to keep busy and have been entertaining crowds of people all over the world who sing their songs and dance to the melodies and funky grooves. After decades in the business this group is still setting stages on "Fire" and riding their own "Love Rollercoaster".
About The GAP Experience: The music influences and the stage presence that gave birth to the legendary group "The Gap Band" flows through T Gap Experience founding members. The names recognized by the Gap Band nation -- Oliver Scott, Raymond Calhoun, Billy Young, Roman Johnson, Baby Gap and Terry Scott unite to come to the stage once again.
This is no ordinary "tribute band" and The Gap Band nation should accept no substitutes. The original GapX members toured the world and blazed the charts with amazing hits like "Outstanding," "Burn Rubber On Me," "You Dropped a Bomb On Me," "Early In The Morning," "Yearning For Your Love," and "Party Train". With newcomers Max C on vocals and Marlon McClain on guitar, The Gap Experience appeals to old and new followers by staying true to the heart of their music classics and infusing contemporary production and styling that produces a sound and live performance show that is undeniably electric.
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