When he launched the Big Band BBQ last year, Emmitt James was in a celebratory mood. He wanted to put together an event that would mark his 10 years as an independent artist with great food and entertainment — all for free. Having succeeded on that front, the question became: What to do for the second edition? The answer was right in the name.
Make it bigger.
For this year’s event — scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Third Space Brewing — the music will get supersized by going from a 13-piece band to 22 musicians. That includes four choir members, four on strings, four on brass, three woodwinds, a guitarist, a bass player and a drummer, with arrangements by Curtis Crump Jr. In addition, the entertainment lineup will grow to include comedy from Emmy-nominated writer and producer Joel Boyd.
“I wanted to do something different this year. I knew I wanted to add more band members, but I think adding comedy brings another flavor of entertainment to the evening,” James explained in a release about the event. “Also, Joel is going to kill it.”
Even after adding to his Big Band BBQ in its second iteration, James decided to keep things free for the community and got help in that regard from contributions made by Third Space, UW-Stevens Point, La Gente Art Gallery and Harmonic Harvest, among others.
All proceeds will go to Future Urban Leaders, a Milwaukee-based organization working “to close the opportunity gap and engage our students in impactful ways, empowering Milwaukee’s next generation of leaders to explore their identities and connect their self-interests to a greater purpose in love and community.”
Everyone attending the Big Band BBQ will have an opportunity to donate to the cause, but there are a couple ways to contribute right now, one of which will get you a little something in return. James set up an online fundraiser for Future Urban Leaders and is also offering VIP access to this year’s Big Band BBQ. The $50 ticket will get you and a plus one first dibs on the food, a chance to meet the band and a Big Band BBQ t-shirt.
You can pick up VIP tickets on James’ website and get updates on this year’s Big Band BBQ by following him on Instagram.
