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Hampton and Phoebus, Virginia
Written by: Jenni Mennella
Recently named an All America city, Hampton (and the little town of Phoebus within it) is easily one of the best cities around with a culture and flair all its own.
After an exciting and informative tour of Richmond, we drove to Hampton, just about an hour away. We arrived at Hampton University and met Mary Fugere and Ryan Downey of the Hampton Conventions & Tourism Bureau, and Sarita Scott, director of University Relations. Our itinerary in Hampton for the day started with a meeting with the university's president, Dr. William R. Harvey.
Already a successful business owner of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Dr. Harvey applied business techniques to raise the standards of excellence at Hampton University, including raising a $200 million endowment to refurbish the campus, promote scholarships and support the students. He instituted an honor and dress code at the school to teach the values of integrity, respect, decency, and dignity.
After hearing his amazing achievements at the helm of Hampton University, one would think he's already accomplished enough, but when asked what his legacy will be, Dr. Harvey simply smiled and replied, "I haven't thought about it. I'm not done writing it yet. I like to come to work every day. I have the best job in the world."
This inspiring statement set the tone for the rest of our day at Hampton University. Next, we went to the Hampton University Museum, the oldest African American museum in the U.S. We met Ramona M. Austin, director of the museum and archives, for our tour of the facility featuring over 9,000 objects, including traditional art from Africa, Native America, Asia and Oceania.
One of the most moving pieces we saw was "The Banjo Lesson" (1893) by Henry O. Tanner. It's a dimly-lit scene of a young boy sitting on an elderly man's lap for a banjo lesson, as the title suggests, but it is the life-like shading and color, and the delicate rendering that have made this piece legendary.
Our next stop was a drive around campus to see a few historic sites, and then on to lunch at Siren in the nearby city within Hampton of Phoebus. On the way, we saw the Emancipation Oak where slaves gathered to hear the Emancipation Proclamation.
With newly restored theater and local attractions, the little town of Phoebus has a culture and flair all its own. Siren had a unique menu offering sandwiches, seafood and even sushi. The group met two Hampton councilmen at lunch, while we snacked on a warm crab and cheese dip with a spicy flavor served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread and toasted bread bites. I ordered the crab cake sandwich, which had a similar zesty flavor to the crab dip, and was served with seasoned potato wedges.
For our lunchtime entertainment, we watched a local group of African singers and dancers perform with the ceremonial props, costumes and drums. There were three generations represented as grandmother and mother danced, while the grandson played the drums.
After our quick bite, we were off to the Virginia Air & Space Center, the home of NASA Langley. We were in for a real treat when we reached the special exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American aviators to fly for the U.S. in wartime combat missions. Three Tuskegee airmen were waiting to tell us their personal stories.
Lt. Col. Francis L. Horne, Sr. (AUS-Ret.), CMSgt Grant S. Williams, Sr. (USAF-Ret.) and 1st Lt. Wilson V. Eagleson (USAF-Ret.) regaled us with their individual experiences as Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Eagleson was a pilot who escorted the other pilots and brought them back during missions. He credits the ground personnel for their success as well.
An enlisted man, Mr. Horne, Sr. had always wanted to fly, and he finally did about 60 years later in 2001, when he was taken up into an airplane and told "to take the stick," realizing his life-long dream. He also commented on the overall attitude towards African Americans at that time.
"I went all the way to Korea to be called an American," he said.
Mr. Williams rounded out the trio's different experiences. While the other two men chose to be part of the military, he was drafted into a program "designed to fail."
"We had to fight for the right to fight for the living," said Williams, Sr.
On the whole, the Tuskegee Airmen flew 200 escort mission and never lost an aircraft. These three Tuskegee Airmen work, along with other members, to preserve their history and present their stories to anyone who will listen. "Use the past to help your future," said Mr. Horne, Sr.
As if this wasn't enough, we toured the rest of the Virginia Air & Space Museum and saw different styles and evolutions of aircrafts, a space module from the Apollo missions, and interactive displays. We even saw moon rocks brought back from space.
Our tour day was coming to a close, but the night was just getting started. After checking into the Days Inn Oyster Point in Newport News, just a stone's throw from Hampton, we opted to pass on dinner by the waterfront, so we could rest up and prepare for our evening of entertainment at the 35th Annual Hampton Jazz Festival featuring Patti LaBelle as the headliner at the Hampton Coliseum. Other performers included: Dave Koz and friends including James Ingram, Norman Brown and Brian Culbertson; the Stylistics; the Chi-Lites; and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes.
I don't think there's enough space on the Internet to tell you my true feelings on this experience! The concert was amazing from start to finish. You couldn't help but tap your feet, snap your fingers and sing along with the performers, while attempting to dance in your seats. The sold-out crowd had a pulse all its own, swaying and singing, with enough energy to power a 747 aircraft.
Each of the acts could have played all night, but I must say, for me, the highlights were Dave Koz and friends and the divine Ms. Patti LaBelle. Saxman Dave Koz had the frenetic energy of a hyperactive three-year-old who ate all his Halloween candy in one night! With Brian Culbertson on keyboards and occasional trombone, Norman Brown on guitar, and the velvety, seductive voice of James Ingram, Koz ran around and kept the "jam session" feel throughout their collaborative set with seemingly improvised choreography using their instruments in sync.
Ms. Patti was simply a "Diva Extraordinaire"! With her elaborate costumes and elegant stage presence, she reminded us why she's one of music's living legends. For the first half of the evening, she wore a stunning black chiffon peasant blouse with matching flared pants and a gold brocade corset, which matched the gold brocade headpiece only she could carry off. During a playful sing along "What's my name?" and the audience responding, "PATTI!," she disappeared behind the scenery and emerged in a sexy variation of her blouse with a slashed, fishtailed skirt to show off her "assets."
Highlights of her set included her original version of "Lady Marmalade," which was recently used in the film, Moulin Rouge, and a singing contest between a few lucky gentlemen from the audience (won, I might add, by an adorable little boy who wasn't intimidated by Ms. LaBelle shoving a microphone into his face, and yelling, "Sing!"). At times, she even kicked her heels up (and off) to dance and explore the entire stage. Ending the festival was her breathtaking version of the classic from The Wizard of Oz, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." We also said goodbye to our Hampton guides, Mary and Ryan.
I don't think I've gotten the jazz and R&B out of my blood yet. It was the experience of a lifetime. With the melodies of Patti and friends playing in my head, I drifted off to sleep, wondering how the rest of the trip could ever top this.
Just a quick side note: Have you picked up on the blender concept yet? Yes, it really was this intense and busy... and we're only halfway done!
With its rich culture, emphasis on education, and unrivaled entertainment, Hampton easily is one of the best cities around! It was recently named an All America city for the second time, and it's clear why. Take a leisurely stroll or drive, and soak up as much of it as you can!
Part 1 - Richmond
Part 2 - Hampton and Phoebus
Part 3 - Newport News
Part 4 - Norfolk
Part 5 - Colonial Willilamsburg
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