One week until Salute. Well, a week and two days…but you get my drift. Are y’all as excited as I am? Of course you are! On Saturday, November 1 at America’s Center, anybody who matters in this region will be in the building for the St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. I know that’s a bold statement that some might consider audacious, or even arrogant. But is it a lie? Of course it isn’t. The folks who take my word for it will know I’m right. If we are calling a thing a thing, I could quietly describe Salute as the Black Met Gala because all of the lewks (yes, lewks) as folks make their way down the red carpet and up the escalators. We go in the ballroom and get inspired from the awards and scholarship portion as we celebrate the honorees and scholars. Then we get litty lit lit for the afterparty – which will be the case again for 2025 thanks to Morgan Casey, DJ Kut and DJ Homicide. Trust that a time will be had. Get your tickets at stlamerican.com. All the analogs can call 314.533.8000.
Delmar’s banging block party. While I’m on the subject of honorees, I have a bone to pick with the one and only Maxine Clark, who will be celebrated as a champion in education with her wonderful husband Bob Fox at this year’s Education Salute. Miss Ma’am, how are you gonna hold Delish On Delmar two weeks before Salute when you know I’m trying to get in this dress? I stopped through for the second annual event on Friday night and It was temptation at every turn. I parked all the way down by the old Hosea Gales building, and they had the nerve to have the food trucks set up as soon as we walked in. I had to run past them like somebody was chasing me! I booked it right to the concert stage so that the music could distract me from the smells. When the Groove Junkies hit the stage, it turned into a full-on cookout vibe. “Proud Mary” had folks doing their best Tina. Bay-bee, the hair was flying and arms were swinging! Then they slid into “Before I Let Go,” giving us Maze and Beyoncé? Yes, Lord! By the time The Motown Revue hit the stage, I was in full hongry mode (yes, hongry). Y’all, why was my stomach growling to the beat of their cover of “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang? Somebody probably thought those sounds were coming from some sort of new age instrument. I had the best time people watching – especially the folks dancing in front of the stage. “I Want You Back,” had the Boomers rushing to the stage like the aunties and cougars do with “Boots on the Ground.” There was even a gentleman doing what looked like medium impact aerobics. As the songs kept playing he kept moving, and I kept watching. By the third song I realized that he was doing. Y’all why was this man reenacting the exercises from the late great Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” from memory?!?! Oh, so I’m the only husky child whose grandmother on her dad’s side made her go in the basement and do those little funky VHS workouts to offset all the Happy Meals given to me by my grandmother on my mother’s side? But enough of me dry snitching on my Big Granny, let’s get back to dishing on Delish. It was so much fun! At time was definitely had, and I see it growing into something major.
The Ambassador is safe. I’ve been on pins and needles all week with my fingers crossed hoping that the folks would come through in the clutch and rescue the venue that has given me some of my all-time favorite recaps. According to The Real Jr.’s latest video, y’all did it! When he came on my timeline on Monday saying that $15,000 was needed by Thursday, my first thought was, “Ambassador, you in danger girl!” What? I wasn’t the only one thinking it. But just when I was about to start writing heartfelt life reflections and bid the spot farewell, J.R. popped up with his praise report video. I’m so glad that the folks’ support was greater than my fears. What’s next? I don’t know. All I know is that there is a next. I still might do some of my most memorable experiences once I get some updates to wrap them around. The one that pops up at the moment was the time when El DeBarge took the stage and said, “It feels so good to be back home in Detroit.” Yes, he was live at The Ambassador…in St. Louis.
Not my Rene! I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been in my feelings since all this Rene Knott drama popped off. My favorite local news anchor being out of work was not on my 2025 bingo card, but here we are. Every single exchange I’ve had with him has been a positive one. And he had my heart when he pulled up to host The Business Salute a few years ago bumping K. Dot’s (that’s Kendrick Lamar for all the uncles and aunties) “DNA.” No shade, but the circumstances surrounding his departure sound so fishy to me. I hope that the outpouring he has been receiving from the community – including me – gives him comfort. I’m claiming his next move is his best move!
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
