Gala gets funky

First it was Al Green. Then Gladys Knight. Last year, the Commodores. For the fourth Supper & Soul Gala and benefit for the 130-year-old Arkansas Baptist College, the featured act was S.O.S.

Band … an ’80s R&B group which, like the performers who went before them, took older guests back to their youth and introduced young people to some “real-school” music.

The gala, which took place Feb. 27 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center, gathered guests for a reception and silent auction, then a dinner featuring pan-seared chicken with red wine demi-glaze.

Event co-chairmen Sherra and Eddie Armstrong kicked off the night’s agenda with a welcome. They then turned the microphone over to Baptist president Fitz Hill, who recognized past chairmen as well as SCM Architects, the winner of the college’s Growing Hope Award. Hill also gave the Armstrongs the First Federal Supper & Soul Award for their efforts.

The program included a musical slide show featuring the college’s programs and growth. Afterward, Hill gave a state-of-the-college speech of sorts, which included the announcement of a forthcoming Chinese restaurant and coffee shop for the campus. Attendees also learned about Fund the Future - the school’s campaign to help students pay tuition - and were given the opportunity to contribute on the spot. Finally, Hill introduced his new book, Putting the Neighbor Back in the Hood - The Resurrection Story of Arkansas Baptist College, offered for $25 per copy to help the college pay for its recently completed construction projects.

Then it was time for the performance of S.O.S. Band, which Hill introduced by quoting the catchy lyrics to its self-titled 1980 song: “S-O … S-S-O … S-S-O … S-SO-S.” The group swept listeners and dancers down memory lane with such chart notables as “Just the Way You Like It,” “Just Be Good to Me,” “Tell Me if You Still Care,” “High Hopes” and “Weekend Girl.”