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Friends
of
African
and
African
American
Art
Celebrate
50 Years
At DIA
By Mary
Moore/Tell
Us
Detroit
DETROIT,
MI -
Where
were you
during
the
summer
of 1962?
‘…The
Friends
of
African
and
African
Art
(originally-African
Art
Gallery
Committee)
formed a
committee
to
acquire
art to
establish
a new
gallery
dedicated
to the
traditional
art of
Africa.
This is
one of
the
oldest
auxiliary
groups
at the
DIA. Its
mission
is to
ensure
that the
artistic
contributions
will be
enjoyed
for
future
generations.’
The 2012
gala was
held at
the DIA
with
much of
the
glamour
and
entertainment
replicated.
Picture
driving
onto the
circular
drive of
the DIA
and
greeted
by
gleaming
classic
cars -
Red 1963
Ford
Thunderbird,
Black
1965
Chrysler
Barracuda
and a
Red1963
Cadillac
Seville.
A group
of guys
were
crooning
under
the
streetlight.
White
tufted
leather
sofas
were
placed
around
the
perimeter
near the
doors.
Ladies
and
gents
arrived
dressed
in
glamorous
attire
from the
’62 era.
Photo by Thomas Richardson/Tel Us
Detroit
Inside,
the
scene
was set
to take
you back
to 1962.
A female
singing
group
dressed
in black
sequined
dresses
belted
out
Motown
sounds
as
guests
roamed
with
appetizers
and
champagne.
Ladies
completed
their
outfits
with fur
stoles,
white
gloves,
beautiful
floral
prints,
full-skirted
colorful
dresses
with
matching
shawls
and
plastic
purses.
There
was even
a
spotting
of white
patent
Go-Go
boots.
Gentlemen
were
dapper
in their
choices
of
tuxedo
jackets
in many
different
colors
and bow
ties.
Judge
Stone
did
stand
out in
his
sharp
black
sequined
jacket,
black
bow tie
and
matching
hat.
Sharon
Madison,
Chair of
the
Summer
of 1962
extravaganza,
introduced
key
participants
and
greeted
the
guests
dressed
in a
beautiful
blue
dress
complete
with a
matching
shawl,
white
gloves
and
swirling
curls.
This was
a very
special
event
because
of the
milestone
anniversary.
There
are
plans to
have a
Techno
Music
event to
attract
more
young
people
to join
the
organization,
June 15,
2013.
Photo by Thomas Richardson/Tel Us
Detroit
Katherine
Blackwell
and
other
elders
led the
guests
into the
dining
room
where
food and
music
set the
tone for
the
party.
The food
stations
did an
excellent
job of
tempting
the
palate
with
Gourmet
Mac &
Cheese,
short
ribs of
beef
atop
risotto,
swordfish,
Maurice
salad
and
other
mouthwatering
dishes.
The non
fattening
desserts
included
flaming
Banana
Foster,
bread
pudding,
crème
and
berries,
éclairs
and ...
Dancers
stayed
on the
floor
showing
off
their
smooth
moves
while
working
off the
calories.
There
wasn’t a
wallflower
in the
place.
Two
Anniversary
cakes
with
fifty
flaming
candles
topped
the
evening
as
guests
sang
Happy
Anniversary
to the
tune of
Stevie
Wonder’s
version
of Happy
Birthday.
The
Summer
of 1962
was
good,
but the
re-creation
in 2012
was a
big hit.
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