Party Line: Rufus' kids reunite

Photo by Michael Donahue // Buy this photo

Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl performed Saturday at the Center for Southern Folklore's Memphis Music and Heritage Festival. Among the members are (from left) Mari Najera, Daniel Garcia, Pedro Diaz, Augustin Diaz and Monica Ortiz.

One of those musical happenings took place Sunday night during Center for Southern Folklore's Memphis Music and Heritage Festival. Children of the late Rufus Thomas -- singers Vaneese and Carla Thomas and their brother, Marvell Thomas, on keyboards -- reunited on stage to perform during "Salute to Rufus!" Toward the end of the show the enthralled audience members in the packed room were repeatedly singing, "Ooh, wee, the Memphis train!" -- part of the lyrics to the Rufus Thomas standard.

The Thomas family performed with FreeWorld and singer James Govan on the Comcast Folklore Hall Stage.

This year's two-day festival at Peabody Place was dedicated to Thomas, who appeared at many of the festivals. Rufus "knew how to be a showman," said Judy Peiser, executive producer of the event and the center's co-founder.

Performances were held on five stages during the event, which began Saturday. The festival is important "because it really shows a diversity of region," Judy said.

Those attending the free event are there to "hear the music, walk the walk, talk the talk."

Cooking demonstrations also were included. One of the chefs, Jonathon Plumley, who appeared on TV's Hell's Kitchen, prepared citrus grilled chicken tips with green bell peppers with a side of pineapple and red pepper chutney Saturday.

"It was actually a good crowd," Jonathon said. "I'm not shy or bashful. I'm definitely a people person. Just being able to give a live demonstration and talk through the methods and preparation as well as the finished product was something I enjoy doing."

Bill Stanek sang songs about food in between the cooking demonstrations.

Stone Soul spirit

WLOK's Stone Soul Picnic took its name from the 1968 song, "Stoned Soul Picnic," recorded by The 5th Dimension. "We took the 'd' off for some good reason," said Art Gilliam with a laugh. Art is WLOK 1340 AM president and general manager and chairman of Gilliam Communications. The picnic was Saturday at Tom Lee Park.

"It's a free community event, but the entertainment package and the spirit of it makes it popular," Art said. "We've never had a negative incident. It's a wholesome entertainment event."

Headlining this year's picnic were Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs, Doc McKenzie and Timothy Rogers.

Art estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 people attended. "A lot of people come to get the giveaways," he said. "We had so many -- enough almost to fill an 18-wheeler."

-- Michael Donahue: (901) 529-2797. donahue@commercialappeal.com

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