Woodard's Flying Juke

Go head and lay out your "Sunday's Best".

Starting in late April my team and I will be inviting you back to the table for a very special supper series, as we raise glasses and coins for my someday dream restaurant and artists studio inside of my grandfather’s mechanic shop. Our goal for this first event is 40K, which is what it will cost to get a new roof on the shop. This roof has a history, and what I didn’t know is my grandfather, Mayfield who’s now 88 put this roof on himself with the help of a friend. I’ll share more on that soon. For now…

Here’s a peek at what will go out into the world to let people know what’s coming their way. I’m sharing this first look with you because I’d love to see you in a seat this April, donning your Sunday’s best. I am also interested to hear where you might want us to land, since this is a traveling pop up series. Drop a place you think it would be fun to have a night at the Juke. Cheers!

Ms. Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith, a fab, queer, Southern Black woman socialite who ran world famous clubs from Harlem to Paris and even Mexico City. Please believe her taste has inspired this series.

“ Woodard’s Flying Juke is a traveling supper series & juke joint pop up. It is a celebration of community cultivated joy space & Black Southern Culture. It’s about the wealth of using what we have, creating our own systems and remembering those who did despite racism and capitalism.

This supper series was developed as a part of the Woodard’s Garage Restoration Project, a preservation effort that will turn a historic Black owned mechanic shop into a special third space for artists to create and pilot new work. From playwrights to chefs, sculptors and textile designers. Behind the makers studio is a members only Juke Joint inspired Supper Club with curated records and live music.

This supper series uplifts the narrative that Juke Joints were important for Black rural economies and cultivated a space for oppressed people to feel free, even if for 1-night. The food culture and music born from these spaces is an important part of our heritage and as we explore these ingredients with the guidance of Gabrielle and her team, together we will reclaim this narrative and remember how we’ve found joy, home, and safe space in the past, present and future.”

Now, before we invite everybody else in, let’s talk about the who, when, where and why; just us good gathered folk.

Starting April 27th, we will be descending on Nana’s Rockwood in Durham NC, to takeover for 1 night of storytelling, libations, hot catfish, and a first look at Woodard’s Juke Quartet; our 3-piece house band. Because tickets tend to go fast, we will open the portal for Gathered founding members on Thursday February 20th at 9pm EST (you will automatically receive a special link in your inbox). Paid subscribers you will get a link at 9pm on Friday, and then we will open tickets to the public at midnight.

This experience centers the stories, culture and history’s of Southern Black people. Which means even though this is a fundraiser I ask that if you are not BIPOC that you donate instead of taking up a seat at this one. We appreciate your understanding—there will be so many opportunities for co-conspirators to join us in the near future. You can also volunteer your time and talents, as we always need artists and hands on deck or just spread the word about the fundraiser.

More exciting details soon, and if you’re ready to visit Woodard’s, you can donate below. Start practicing your Charleston tonight!