Hampton Art Lovers Presents "One Night Stand!"

Hampton Art Lovers Presents: “One Night Stand!" featuring the photography of Greg Clark | Sponsored by OneUnited Bank, S.E. Overtown / Park West CRA, Green Family Foundation | Co-Sponsored by Impact Edition, Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs and Crown Street Films.

Sixty years ago, played for a club in Miami. In early 1963, he recorded a live album called "One Night Stand" at the Harlem Square Club. The club was in Overtown, Miami's historically African-American neighborhood. The recording was intense and vibrant, reflecting Cooke’s earlier gospel roots, and wasn’t what his label wanted for mainstream audiences. Due to its perceived intensity and rawness, RCA decided not to release it. However, in 1985, record executive Gregg Geller rediscovered the recordings and released them under a new title: “Live at the Harlem Square Club, in 1963”. It is now considered one of the greatest live albums ever recorded, commemorating Overtown's musical legacy. Sam Cooke recorded live in Overtown because the area played a significant role in developing soul music during the early to mid-1960s. Overtown's music scene thrived, and venues like the Rockland, Palace, Harlem Square Club, Cotton Club, Ritz Theater, Mary Elizabeth Hotel, and Sir John attracted local and out-of-town musicians. Miami soul music was influenced by the sounds of church music, marching bands, and Caribbean melodies performed by diverse musicians from various backgrounds.

, showcasing the allure that attracted music legends like Sam Cooke. Greg’s intimate portraits depict musicians with instruments against the backdrop of empty lots and repurposed buildings that were once prominent entertainment venues in Overtown. Our exhibition is also a way to preserve the stories of local musicians from the 1960s and 70s, gathering oral histories to commemorate Overtown's significance as a hub for Black music in America (in partnership with FIU Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab). As Overtown experiences a resurgence in arts and culture, it reflects returning to its musical roots rather than creating something entirely new. "One Night Stand! Featuring the Photography of Greg Clark” serves as a guide to rediscovering Overtown's musical past and navigating its future.

____

In furtherance of our focus on local music, we also offer a separate companion installation “BPMs: BEATS, PICS, & MASTERS” By Rahsaan “FLY GUY” Alexander. BPMs focus on today’s artists/DJs. This is our 2nd installment of a three-part visual art series focussing on awareness of the mental, emotional, and psychological tolls taken on our local DJs, who have committed much of their careers and passions to entertaining audiences night after night; for years. The goal is to ultimately humanize the artist (DJ) to the general public in hopes of giving insight into the struggles and complexities shared by countless DJs around the world in a post-COVID world.

If you love to party at the best clubs in South Florida, it was probably FLY GUY that was the DJ making you move all night. Known as the GO TO GUY for nightlife parties in South Florida, he is the musical director and co-founder (with Michael Gardner - Headliner Market Group) of the nationally recognized “Doo-Wop: All R&B Soul Music Party Experience”, America’s foremost R&B party.

Miami Herald music writer Jordan Levin explores the history of Overtown's music scene during the pre I-95 era of the 1950s and '60s and some of the entertainers and personalities that visited or grew up there. C.W. GRIFFIN / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Historic Ward Rooming House, 249 Northwest 9th Street, Miami, United States