The African American Heritage Commission of Kinston and Lenoir County will soon be hosting the Sixth Annual “Funk Festival” at the Community Council for the Arts from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. on September 16, 2023. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

“The commission continues to preserve, protect, and promote African American history, historic site, artifacts, arts and culture in the City of Kinston and in Lenoir County,” said Sammy Aiken, chairperson.

“The commission believes that ‘knowing your heritage is a gateway to achievement.’”

This year’s festival will recognize two outstanding talents from Kinston. The late Geneva Perry had been a member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm before taking the position of the Adkin High School band director.

A Washington, D.C., native, Perry had played saxophone in the Sweethearts. The Sweethearts of Rhythm – all women musicians – was a multiracial, majority African American big band, according to information in the African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina.

The other honoree is the late Eva Boyd Harris, “Little Eva.” Although she was born in Belhaven, she spent most of her life in Kinston. She was best known for her hit “Locomotion.”

The African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina said about Little Eva:

“Little Eva simultaneously personified one of rock’n’roll’s greatest dreams come true and one of its most dire cautionary tales. Blessed with a perky, gospel-trained voice, she provided the drive and uplift to one of the early 1960s greatest hits, ‘The Loco-Motion.’ The song, which symbolized the best of the Brill Building era of teen rock, has been continually reissued, remade, and enjoyed by audiences worldwide since its initial release.

“However, Little Eva’s career did not prove to be as durable [as her song]. Changing musical trends prematurely ended her budding stardom…. Fortunately, she was able to enjoy a bit of renewed limelight in the years just prior to her death [in 2003].”

To make this year’s Funk Festival a success worthy of these talented women, the African American Heritage Commission needs your help.

“Monetary contributions by local business and community sponsors continue to play an integral role in the development and success of our mission,” Aiken said. “We would appreciate your financial support of this year’s Funk Festival, our major fundraiser, in the form of a contribution or purchase of an ad in our souvenir booklet.”

The deadline for the souvenir booklet is August 15, and the donation deadline is September 6. The back cover of the souvenir book is available for a $300 contribution, and the inside back cover can be yours for $250. A full-page ad is $100, a half-page ad is $50, and a quarter-page ad is $35.

Benefactors give $1,000 and up. A Sponsor donates between $500-$999. A Patron gives from $200 to $499, and a Contributor gives $100 through $199.

Tickets for the event, available for $25, provides admission to an exciting evening of music, dancing, food, fellowship, and fun.

Please make all checks or money order payable to the African American Heritage Commission and mail 2718 Hodges Road, Kinston, NC 28504. You can also reach out to Sammy Aiken by emailing him at sammycphotos@embarqmail.com.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.