The Stax Academy UK Tour

[Chalky]

Last night I was privileged to witness one helluva concert.  These kids, yes kids, not one over 18, all still at school.  All given a great chance in life and all out of the ghettos.  They were here to celebrate the Stax tour of 1967 and last night was simply fantastic, such talent in every way and enthusiasm in what was a hugely enjoyable lively stage performance. 

If you get chance to support what the Stax Academy is doing then I urge you to do, it is a show all lovers of Soul Music will enjoy.

In 1967, Stax Records sent its top artists on a first-ever tour of Europe, now known as the legendary 1967 Stax/Volt European Tour.

Now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that milestone event that catapulted Stax into the international limelight, the Stax Music Academy (SMA) has been invited to follow in their footsteps with its first-ever tour of France and England.

SMA has created a special concert show to celebrate the 1967 tour with soul stirring tunes originally performed and recorded by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Booker T. & the MGs, and others.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE EUROPEAN CONCERT TOUR WEBSITE. 

Tour dates: July 2017 

9th        Manchester: Band on the Wall

11th       Cahors, France: Cahors Blues Festival (France’s oldest running Blues Festival)

13th      Bordeaux, France: Relâche Music Festival 

15th     London: Kings Place 

16th     Hitchin, UK: Hitchin Town Hall (SOULD OUT)

17th     Bristol: Rivertown at Colston Hall

18th     Milton Keynes: The Stables

21st and 22nd Gateshead: SummerTyne Festival

Plans are also in the works for youth cultural exchanges, educational opportunities, sightseeing, and more, including an opening reception for a July 19th Stax Music Academy/Memphis photography exhibit at London’s Leica Camera Gallery by renowned photographer Simon Emmett, who spent part of May 2016 photographing the students in Memphis.

SMA will be opening for Stax legend Mavis Staples in Bristol, UK and for Stax legend William Bell at the Gateshead Summertyne Festival in Newcastle/Gateshead, UK. Preparations for the trip have included a master class with yet another Stax legend, Booker T. Jones of Booker T. & the MGs, who was on the original 1967 tour.

While SMA has performed internationally in Italy, Australia, and Berlin, this commemorative tour of France, Ireland, and England will play to audiences who are lifelong Stax Records fans but don’t know about how the Soulsville Foundation is carrying the legacy of Stax Records into the future through these underserved young people. It is the only school in the world teaching young people the art form of American soul music and “The Memphis Sound” that was created in Memphis during the 1960s and 1970s, which is a worldwide phenomenon.

The majority of the Stax Music Academy students attend via financial need-based scholarships the Soulsville Foundation provides. For many, this represents the first opportunity to travel beyond Memphis. SMA travel experiences have proven to have significant impact on the students’ desire to succeed in life, to boost their self-confidence and self-esteem, and to make them think more globally about their lives.

 

TO DONATE, PLEASE CLICK ON REGISTER BELOW.

For more information and to learn how to donate, please contact Tim Sampson 901-261-6324 or tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org.

https://www.staxmusicacademy.org/news/stories/stax-music-academy-celebrate-50th-anniversary-1967-staxvolt-european-tour-tour-france-ireland-england-july-2017/

Not even old enough to have an after show drink 

 

 

[Reforee]

Yeah saw the class before these last year in Memphis....it was a Wow, Wow moment, chin on floor stuff. Got front row seats for the Milton Keynes show a week Tuesday, can't wait.

I,would,recommend anyone to go and be wowwed!

Dave H

[Soulfinger]

I was there too and echo every word of Chalky's review. They were simply outstanding! Don't miss an opportunity to see this bunch of highly talented kids. The little lass has a fantastic voice. My daughter was up on the stage doing the Funky Chicken and she, my lad, my wife, my mate and his daughter all agreed it was the best live show we've seen for some time.

[kathdj]

What a stunning night.   Must have been real close to you Soulfinger - your daughter was great.  there's a vid of her on the Stax Academy Facebook page.

And Reforee - where you're going you won't need seats!!

Seriously folks, this is not to be missed. And the concerts in Hitchin and Bristol are FREE if you can still get a ticket.

[Chalky]

The video of The Funky Chicken is on my facebook page. 

[Soulfinger]

On 7/11/2017 at 14:35, chalky said:

The video of The Funky Chicken is on my facebook page. 

Thanks Chalky, the videos are absolutely great. In yours, the mike stands obscure the fact that she gave us all the finger when she realised that we were all recording her doing the chicken. She was in big trouble....

[Chalky]

26 minutes ago, Soulfinger said:

Thanks Chalky, the videos are absolutely great. In yours, the mike stands obscure the fact that she gave us all the finger when she realised that we were all recording her doing the chicken. She was in big trouble....

 

[Guest GeoffB]

Gonna try and make it to the Bristol event.

I'm looking forward to it!

[Nicola]

On ‎10‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 20:32, reforee said:

Yeah saw the class before these last year in Memphis....it was a Wow, Wow moment, chin on floor stuff. Got front row seats for the Milton Keynes show a week Tuesday, can't wait.

I,would,recommend anyone to go and be wowwed!

Dave H

I will see you on Tuesday Dave, I am taking my Mum, Dad and Sister and like you I am really looking forward to it.

[Steve Plumb]

Nice one Chalky, the Manchester event was fabulous wasn't it?

I went with my wife and kids and we all loved it

I never stopped smiling the whole way through, it was absolutely great

Go see at all costs is my advice :-)

Cheers

Steve

[Chalky]

The Stax Academy sing Mable John's Your Good thing (Is About To End)

Please watch to the end.  The lass is only small but by neck does she belt out a great rendition.  Steve Plumb and myself just looked at each other and said "WOW".

 

[Chalky]

The Funky Chicken

 

[Chalky]

Soul Man

 

[Guest GeoffB]

Bristol event canceled. Paid £12 to get there and have nothing to show for it. Brilliant.

[Mike]

19 hours ago, GeoffB said:

Bristol event canceled. Paid £12 to get there and have nothing to show for it. Brilliant.

Geoff

had a quick look at the website

says it was relocated 

says something about refunds?

maybe worth a look

https://www.colstonhall.org/shows/mavis-staples-2/

[Tobytyke]

Saw them last night at the Stables Milton Keynes. They were excellent ,so much energy and enthusiasm. Vocalists and backing band.

Highlights for me were "When something is wrong with my baby" " Ive been loving you too long" and the young girl belting out "Gee Whiz"

Things like this will make sure the music from that era will live on. Good to see so many young people in the audience.

 

[Northernjordan12]

Only just seen this thread! 

Quite gutted I missed this. 

Any chance they are back in Manchester? 

[Guest GeoffB]

On 18/07/2017 at 16:56, mike said:

Geoff

had a quick look at the website

says it was relocated 

says something about refunds?

maybe worth a look

https://www.colstonhall.org/shows/mavis-staples-2/

Thanks for the heads up, unfortunately I was hoping to see the stax academy and the costs was from transport.

Annoying but not the end of the world...