It's not hard to see why Taste of Soul Sunday is the Grand Rapids Public Library's most well-attended event. With music, food and entertainment covering so many different aspects of African-American culture and history, Taste of Soul has something for everyone's heart, soul and mind.
"[Taste of Soul Sunday] is going into its seventh year this year," said Kristen Krueger-Corrado, the library's marketing and communications manager. "For last year's four-hour event, we had 2,000 people in the main library. It's always jam-packed with people ... it's a very uplifting and very bright event."
Among Taste of Soul's offerings are numerous literary opportunities highlighting different aspects of African-American culture. The library will once again partner with Grand Valley State University's Community Reading Project, this time offering The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. GRPL will have copies on-hand so patrons can read and discuss this book about the Great Migration of African-Americans from the South to northern and western cities in search of a better life.
Another literary offering is Ralph Richard Banks' Is Marriage for White People? How the African-American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone. Krueger-Corrado said the author discussion will be a little bit different than usual, as "the author presentation will be a Skype discussion with the author."
According to the library's events page, Banks provides an "in-depth explanation of the experiences of black middle-class women, and the economic and cultural influences that shape them," while looking at the nationwide marriage decline.
However, Taste of Soul Sunday transcends just literary events; the entire day features a wide array of cultural entertainment.
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Taste of Soul Sunday |
"Every year our committee comes up with different professors, authors and musicians [we'd like to invite], but the event always has the same elements; food, music and dance, history and scholarly programs and family friendly offerings to show different aspects of African-American heritage," Krueger-Corrado said.
Some of these events include musical performances by Serita's Black Rose & The Disciples of Funk, jazz artist Edye Evans Hyde, Motown selections from the North American Choral Company and soloist Carolyn Quinn-Allen. Guests can also enjoy historical talks on a variety of subject and children's activities can be found all over the library. Patrons will also be able to sample the tastes that give Taste of Soul its name with selections from Southern Fish Fry, Chez Olga and Jamaican Dave's.
Krueger-Corrado's favorite part of the event, however, is the sense of community it fosters every year.
"I've been going every year since I've been working here ... and my favorite part is when we open up the doors and there's a line that wraps around the building. The music has started and you can smell the food and hear the music and see the community coming forth. Watching all these groups of people having conversations in the library and watching it become a gathering place is such a unique thing."
Other Literary Events
Reading & Signing: Jeni Decker
Literary Life Bookstore, Grand Rapids
Feb. 9, 7p.m.
literarylifebookstore.com, (616) 458-8418
Michigan author Jeni Decker's life can be described as many things, but "normal" definitely is not one of them. After all, her new memoir, released in January, is titled I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames: My Insane Life Raising Two Boys with Autism. The book details Decker's experiences with tantrums, hatred of Pokémon, poop scenarios and life on both ends of the spectrum. Decker will be available for a reading and a question and answer session immediately following.
Reading and Signing: Gary Eberle
Schuler Books & Music, 28th Street location
Feb. 28, 7p.m.
schulerbooks.com, (616) 942-2561
Gary Eberle, a professor of English at Aquinas College, is a prolific writer, having published numerous fiction and nonfiction titles since 1994 (coincidentally, the same year he received an award from Aquinas for outstanding scholarship). His most recent work, however, is the most Grand Rapids-centric book to date. Eberle will read from Aquinas College: the First 125 Years and host a question-and-answer session at Schuler Books & Music, followed by the chance to have your book signed.
