Jazzy Father's Day Brunch Celebrates Men

"When I think about Father's Day," Gilda Rogers said, "my mind automatically goes to my grandfather, my beloved Pop Pop, William Adams. He called himself the King of the Black People. I don't know about all of that, but I know he was my King."

In honor of her grandfather, Rogers, writer, television personality and Frank Talk, art and book store impresario is holding her third annual Jazzy Father’s Day Brunch and Celebration of Men at the Two River Theater on June 19. Last year's event was sold out, so Rogers and her team have added a second seating, 11 am to 2 pm for burnch and a dinner from 3:30-6:30 pm. The menu at both seatings is down home Southern style cuisine with all the fixings from fried apples to chopped barbecue, shrimp and grits and more.

Rogers said that as the event is inspired by her devotion to her grandfather and not to her father, its invitees and attendees need not be fathers. "I created this event because I wanted it to be a celebration of men, fathers, yes, but not just. It's for all men, for brothers, sons, uncles, whomever."

Rogers, a Patch contributor, added that the celebration is more of a homage to a certain kind of man that, like her grandfather, fulfills the roles and responsibility of fathering a family and mentoring its children.

"Family was the most important thing to him," she said.  "He made sure we had everything we needed and some of things we just wanted."

Rogers suggested that Mother's Day is marked each year with far more fanfare and import than the day that praises our dads and she believes the Jazzy Father's Day Celebration is a fitting way to find a local balance.  

"We tend to really go all out for Mother's Day, but I don't feel like Father's Day gets the same sort of pizzaz and umph and triumph," she said. "I think a  lot of men in society don't feel appreciated and everyone deserves to feel that."

Rogers said that fathers/men are the "x-factor in children's lives."

"They make the difference for both boys and girls, sons and daughters," she added. "And this is the energy that this day and this event represents for me.

The event will include a display of the art of a father and son, Sulaiman Onque and Rahhiem Ervin. The pieces will also be for sale.

Prizes will be given out at the event as well. Two men will receive exclusive peices of art. One of them will be a limited edition portrait of Miles Davis that was created by artist Gina Nelson. The other recipient will take home I am a Man, by artist Charlie Palmer.

Live music will be played at the event by the Gambone Project, which includes Gregg Gambone (keys) Jonathan Sims (drums) Vince Giardina (bass). The Gambone Project is practically the Frank Talk house band, having played for Rogers and at her westside Art Bistro and Bookstore for previous engagements.

To find out more or to purchase tickets for yourself and the favorite man in your life, go to www.franktalkartbistroandbooks.com. Click on “Inside Frank Talk” page, where you can pay for your tickets $50 for adults and $15 for children 12 years old and under.