Journal

Recap: Telling Our Stories from “Back in the Day” Memory Salon

Posted:
October 9, 2024
Topic(s):
Education & Outreach, Jazz

We had a lovely and meaningful story-sharing circle at our latest Voices of 52nd Street: Then & Now Memory Salon, on “Telling Our Stories from ‘Back in the Day.'” What was the neighborhood like when folks like John Coltrane, Gus Lacy, Foo Foo Ragan, Lee Morgan, and community activist Novella Williams walked these streets? And what exactly was in the Foo Foo Steakhouse “mama-jamma” sandwich!? Folks from across generations shared memories of food, jazz, and activism from this historic West Philly corridor.

The Memory Salon took place at the Painted Bride’s Market Street location. Participants had the option to take a “West Philly’s Main Street: A Walk Through Time” walking tour beforehand to see historical locations in the neighborhood. Light bites were catered by Steve’s Sports Lounge (formerly the location of the Red Rooster jazz club, where jazz legends John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner met and performed).

Special guests included Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka, co-author of “The John Coltrane Reference,” and owner of the Coltrane House of Osaka, Japan; “Voices of 52nd Street” lead artist Pamela Hooks; and Faye Anderson, director of All That Jazz Philly.

 

Painted Bride founder Gerry Givnish with Pamela Hooks, Executive Director Laurel Raczka, and Deputy Director Nina Ball.
Nina, Faye Anderson, and Laurel.
Gerry shares stories, as Laurel and Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka look through materials on John Coltrane.
Laurel and Fuji with Fuji’s book “Coltrane Chronicle.”