Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
Word is, there aren’t many venues in Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach for mature, professional folks to get their fill of heritage, culture, and networking.
Once a month the members of a local Masonic Lodge provide just that in a Speak-Easy known as Hear My VOICE! Saturday, Feb 15 was their most recent venue.
The brothers of Boaz Lodge #212 sponsor the event at their lodge temple located at 208 Midway Avenue in Ormond Beach. For two-plus hours one Saturday evening at the end of the month, patrons file into the temple ground floor for an open microphone, spoken word event.
Volusia’s got talent!
A who’s who of collective talent could be found in the audience. Patrons were treated to serenades, intense analytical spoken word, and even some funky line dancing. Members of the lodge coordinate the program, serve patrons and also perform.
Attendees were treated to complementary wine and cheese as they enjoyed up and coming artists such as Ja’Vion Mcvadian, TNT (The Nasty Tone), and other area favorites. Proceeds from the venue support lodge initiatives which include food baskets for the needy for Thanksgiving and Christmas, donation of school supplies for school-aged children, scholarships, Blood drives, and The American Cancer Society.
The venue was a collaboration of ideas from some of the brothers who wanted to provide a cultural venue were like-minded people could congregate and network,” said Franklin “Ace” Oxendine of Boaz Lodge #212. “This was something that has been missing and the area has been lacking for some time. It is a great effort and an extension of the love the lodge brothers have for the community they are reside in,” he added.
Yours truly may have had a tad to do with the inception of the Spoken word venue. I was proud to be a member of the quartet known as “Love of the Spoken Word” in the 2005 through 2007. We traveled the Southeast rocking the house in cities such as Jacksonville, Tampa, and High Point North Carolina. I may have mentioned it as a possible fundraiser in support of our laudable undertakings. By the way, I served as host at this event.
From humble beginnings come BIG THINGS
The venue has been in effect for about six months dating back to October 2013. Since its inception, the seating area has been steadily expanding. Soon it will be near capacity followed by standing room only.
“The whole aim is to expand this venue to outgrow the Temple Hall and move to a bigger venue conducive to how large we want the venue to be,” said Operations Manager, JaVaughn Hackney. “Already, we are looking into other possible venues within easy reach of our target audience,” he said.
Thus far, the target audience for the venue has centered on liberal, Afrocentric mature-minded, 20 and 30 some things, along with local professionals, and the collegiate community. Bethune-Cookman University students have blessed the microphone a few times.
The recent venue revolved around the St. Valentine’s Day holiday. In keeping with the holiday theme, rose petals were spread all over the floor, a sweet aroma hung in the air, and the wine flowed freely…responsibly, but freely. Truly, it was a whole lot of good clean entertainment for $5.00 without having to worry about being shot or getting caught up in a fight. I counted at least four couples in attendance. A bulk of the attendance was also attributed to various members of the Masonic body and the Order of the Eastern Star, specifically Serenity Chapter UD. PHA.
Crowd favorite Julius Williams is eager to get the show set up for March. “We do aggressive social-networking and rely on word of mouth to get the message out about what we’re doing here. I’m already looking forward to our show in March,” Williams said.
