Saturday's Armed Forces Day Celebration at Cafe 511 in Texarkana features an eclectic entertainment lineup that's free to enjoy for all veterans and their dependents.
Entertainment includes Tony Wilson, a James Brown tribute artist who's known as "The Young James Brown." With his Godfather of Soul Band, Wilson has taken his James Brown act around the world, performing in such places as Japan, Sweden, London, West Indies and elsewhere.
The Armed Forces Day Celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect Wilson to perform twice during those hours.
Wilson, a Chicago native who's also performed as a Michael Jackson tribute artist, has played James Brown in the movies and toured with Bootsy Collins. He's also worked with members of James Brown's band. He performs James Brown classics like "I Feel Good" and "Super Bad."
Musical entertainment is also provided by Gary "Saxman" Wicks on the saxophone and local musician Michael Rhodes and his band performing jazz and soul. Food, drinks and complimentary wine tastings are part of the celebration, too.
Bess Gamble-Williams and her Texarkana Area Women Veterans Outreach Group is partnering with Cafe 511 on the event, which will raise Wounded Warrior and veterans program funds.
This is their 7th annual Armed Forces Day Celebration. Expect good times, friendship and fellowship, said Gamble-Williams.
About the headlining performer, Gamble-Williams described Wilson's Jame Brown-esque energy this way: "He's going to be performing. Let me tell you something, he does everything James did and then some. He's flipping, he's splitting, he's flipping backwards, he's walking on his hands. He is a great entertainer."
Wilson will be getting down just like James Brown did, Gamble-Williams said.
The Armed Forces Day Celebration will also feature a tent with vendors that are partnering agencies involved in issues that affect veterans. The agencies will offer substantive, informative material regarding issues that impact veteran's lives, she said.
"Quite frankly, we need to talk about it. And there's several things. One of the issues that we've got to talk about is the veteran funding that's been cut," said Gamble-Williams, who's retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and has family who are veterans.
Big Boom, a bodyguard to stars like Steve Harvey, and Lauren Freeman, a Dallas author, will make special guest appearances. Guest TV host Tracy Brooks with her mentorship ministry TV show in Dallas will have a live broadcast, while guest deejay Nutt Brown will do a live radio remote.
"He will be there to have a remote with classical rhythm-and-blues and Southern soul. He will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a deejay giving the music in the background," Gamble-Williams said.
About Big Boom, she said, "He's a big presence. When he comes into the room, he dresses so magnificently and he is just immaculate in his presence."
"It's going to be such great fun," Gamble-Williams said about the celebration, one of two benefits her organization holds annually.
(Admission is free for veterans or people with veterans in their family. Otherwise, tickets are $10. Cafe 511 is located at 511 E. 51st St. in Texarkana, Ark.)