Here’s what takes place in Montgomery when a community gathers to celebrate itself: a royal blue, gold, and a red carpet in the heart of the city.
Every year the ALOE Event Center becomes what Montgomery has come to expect although it has never quite got used to — a room designed completely around celebration, recognition and a touch of showmanship. The night in question is the Royal Soul Reunion, and if you haven’t been there yet, here is what makes it the date that locals put into their calendars early.
The Man Behind the Night
All the aspects of the Royal Soul Reunion can be traced to William Parks, the executive producer from Montgomery, Alabama, who set the event up from the beginning. Rather than merely organizing the Royal Soul Reunion, Parks runs it just as a showrunner would run a season finale, carefully planning the pacing, the visuals, and the key moments to make them have the desired impact. This is one of the reasons why people in Montgomery have begun to call him less an events planner and more a cultural visionary, someone who sees an evening out as a chance to tell a wider story about the community.
At its heart the story is simple: the Royal Soul Reunion aims at celebrating culture, showing respect to the people who are carrying out the work, and enabling Montgomery to have a night that feels just as impressive as any other place in the country all without having to leave home.
What the Night Actually Looks Like
As soon as you enter the Royal Soul Reunion the first thing you notice is the colour scheme. Everywhere you look—whether it’s the stage setup, the lighting or a good number of the outfits in the room—the dominant colours are royal blue and gold, since the dress code follows that same royal theme.
This establishes the atmosphere well in advance of any performer stepping onto the stage: it is a night attended in full regal style, not a casual get-together. The entrance then takes place, with VIP guests coming in via a procession specially designed for the occasion, complete with a red carpet, making the act of getting to your seat become part of the entertainment. In previous editions live performances have been given by the American Idol finalists Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough, providing a degree of vocal ability that corresponds to the production values.
During the night the event also included recognition moments associated with the Impact Awards, paying tribute to people in Montgomery whose work seldom receives this kind of attention. This is one of the features which distinguishes the Royal Soul Reunion from a normal concert or gala format, since both the show and the community recognition take place in the same room on the same night.
Why It Sells Out
The VIP tables at the Royal Soul Reunion have a history of selling out well in advance of the event, most guests still obtaining their places through general admission. Some of the reason for this high demand is scarcity, since the ALOE Event Center hosts only one of these events each year, but a greater part of it is due to the event’s reputation. In Montgomery it is well known how well a night of this sort is produced, and William Parks’ name being linked with an event has become in itself a kind of guarantee.
Why It Sells Out
The VIP tables at the Royal Soul Reunion have a history of selling out well in advance of the event, most guests still obtaining their places through general admission. Some of the reason for this high demand is scarcity, since the ALOE Event Center hosts only one of these events each year, but a greater part of it is due to the event’s reputation. In Montgomery it is well known how well a night of this sort is produced, and William Parks’ name being linked with an event has become in itself a kind of guarantee.
More Than a Party The reason people keep attending the Royal Soul Reunion is not merely the entertainment but the fact that the event supports a cause. Since One Day One Power is a nonprofit organisation in Montgomery with its roots in the legacy of December 1, 1955, each ticket sold contributes to the mentorship, leadership, and community programmes that the organisation carries out throughout the year. It is this link that transforms what could have been just a red carpet evening into one that has real significance behind it.
Save the Date
There is one night that should not be missed according to Montgomery’s calendar; for information about dates, ticket categories and all the other details relating to the Royal Soul Reunion and the One Day One Power project, go to onedayonepower.org. If you have any questions regarding tables, sponsorships, or how to get involved ahead of the next Royal Soul Reunion, please get in touch with the One Day One Power team through this link.
