Delaware taps iconic band linked to Will Smith for Gala. How to get tickets
The Grand in Wilmington has selected Kool & The Gang, the newest members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, to groove with guests at the 48th annual Grand Gala fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Tickets include the concert and the Ultimate After Party at the Hotel du Pont. This major gala will be extra special since it's on Delaware Day, a First State holiday.
All proceeds will benefit The Grand’s Community Engagement Programs. The evening also will honor Wilmington Mayor Michael S. Purzycki with a 2024 Grand Medal for Excellence.
Kate Baker Frawley, director of development at The Grand, said the Gala "provides guests with an unforgettable evening filled with live music, great food, drinks, and friends.”
Who is Kool & The Gang?
Officially launched in 1969, Kool & The Gang is beloved as one of the greatest R&B groups of all time. The New Jersey group is famous for their deep songbook of iconic tunes like "Celebration," "Summer Madness," "Fresh" and "Get Down On It."
Kool has earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums, according to the band's bio. The band's induction ceremony into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 19.
P Diddy, Will Smith, Mase sampled Kool & The Gang
Rappers love Kool & The Gang and the band's bio claims they're the most sampled band in hip-hop by far. This includes the rapper Mase's song "Feel So Good" featuring P. Diddy, which was a sample of Kool's "Hollywood Swinging."
Perhaps the most notable Kool & The Gang rap sample is their tune "Summer Madness," which DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) used for their hit song "Summertime," a song that's been an annual summer anthem since the early '90s. An interesting Delaware connection to the song is DJ Jazzy Jeff has a home in Bear.
Other notable artists (including non-rappers) to sample Kool include Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Cypress Hill.
What will money from The Grand's Gala benefit?
Money raised from the Gala "will help over 20,000 students and community members experience the arts," said Emari V. Johnson, director of community engagement at The Grand.
Johnson added, “At The Grand, we firmly believe that the arts are for everyone, and programs like our Sensory-Friendly Family Shows, Charitable Ticket Vouchers, Stages of Discovery, and free Summer in the Parks series, help us connect directly with Wilmington in meaningful and measurable ways.”
What is Delaware Day?
This holiday celebrates Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the federal Constitution in 1787. But it wasn't until 1933 that governors of Delaware started proclaiming Dec. 7 as Delaware Day, per Delaware.gov.
What is The Grand in Delaware?
The Grand is a nonprofit recognized as one of the region's top performing arts presenters, and it offers a variety of entertainment such as comedy, music, dance and family-friendly programming, plus shows touring on Broadway. The nonprofit operates across three Wilmington venues on Market Street: Copeland Hall, Baby Grand, and The Playhouse on Rodney Square.
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How much are tickets for The Grand's Gala 2024?
Tickets to The Grand's Gala start at $250. The event is held at The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) on Saturday, Dec. 7. Time is TBA. For more info, visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware taps iconic band linked to Will Smith & Diddy for annual Gala
