The highlight of the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis - 9th Annual Oscar Night America was the Memphis-bred and legendary R&B-Funk-Soul-with-a-twist band, The Bar-Kays. (Photo by Lee Taylor)

Nyah Nile

We’ve all heard of wishing upon a star.  Some wish for glamour, fame or even VIP treatment. But what if you could have all of that without even looking for a starry night?

At the star-studded 9th Annual Oscar Night America, the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis provided just such a dreamy setting.

The stage was set for Sunday, March 7th at Minglewood Hall in Midtown as producers and coordinators presented an enchanting Hollywood atmosphere for its Memphis audience. Tuxedo-clad men and elegantly dressed women were fit for Tinseltown as they glowed during the red carpet experience. 

Kayla and Jennifer Smith were among hundreds of guests who mingled with legends, celebrities, philanthropists and entrepreneurs.  (Courtesy photo)

Cameron Harper from ABC 24 Eyewitness News was the host for the 9th Annual Oscar Night America presented by the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, where Caron Byrd is the executive director. (Courtesy photo)

Oscar Night America is one of only 52 Oscar parties in the country that is officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All proceeds raised from Oscar Night America benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis and serve to further its mission: to serve as a “home-away-from-home” for families who are in Memphis while their child is receiving treatment for cancer or another catastrophic illness at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 “Yes, we look forward to this every year… and we are thrilled about The Bar-Kays’ performance here tonight,” said Caron Byrd, the executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis,

“ For us here…it is all about the kids right now.  Our theme for tonight is, wish upon a star… I want to say thank you to the city of Memphis. We get so much great support from the citizens of Memphis community.  We rely on the people of this great community.  We love the people here.”

The décor for Oscar Night Memphis stimulated a desire for enchantment and fantasy. As comedy legends Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosted the show in Los Angeles, Emmy award-winning journalist Cameron Harper from ABC 24 Eyewitness News ably filled the host role in Memphis. 

Hundreds of guests mingled in the hall that was sprinkled with living legends, celebrities, philanthropists and entrepreneurs.  

Some of Memphis’ finest restaurants – Itta Bena, Melting Pot, Interim, Erling Jensen, Kooky Canuck, Humdingers, Sharky’s Gulf Grill, Rain, Napa Cafe, Bonne Terre, Crepe Maker, Bangkok Alley, Grace, Pearl’s Oyster House, P.F. Chang’s, Lynchburg Legends Bar & Grill and many more – supplied tantalizing aromas as they competed to win the popular “Food Star Awards.”

 The four categories and winners were: Most Creative Movie Themed Booth – Humdingers; Star Cuisine – Itta Bena; Star Dessert – Lynchburg Legends; and Food Star Chef – Interim.

The highlight of the night was the Memphis-bred and legendary R&B-Funk-Soul-with-a-twist band, The Bar-Kays. Backstage, bass guitarist James took a moment in between sets to express the band’s excitement.

“We are having a great time.  The crowd seems to be really enjoying themselves, dancing to some of our greatest hits,” said Alexander.

“We want the people to realize this is for the Ronald McDonald House and for a great cause.

We are here donating our services and bringing awareness.  A lot of people don’t know when families come here with sick children, the Ronald McDonald house puts them up for free.  And this is something that happens right here in Memphis.  So if you don’t know, now you know, and you should contribute too.”

(For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, contact: Luca Lindner, communications coordinator, at luca@rmhmemphis.org, or visit www.rmhmemphis.org)

(The Bar-Kays continue on world tour with the Masters of Funk, which includes Slave, Dazz Band, Con Funk Shun and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. Also, don’t miss the story of The Bar-Kays on the third season of “Unsung” when it returns March 22 on Mondays only on TV One.)

(Check out Nyah Nile every Friday at 7 p.m, covering the Hottest Entertainment & Artists in Memphis on the “Issues of Life TV Show”on Comcast Channel 17)

(If you have questions or comments or would you like Nyah Nile at your next big event, E-mail nyah@tri-statedefender.com)