The Exotics to hold 23rd annual scholarship gala on Christmas Eve

This will be the group’s 23rd gala, original band member Rogers Jarvis said.

This year’s gala will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 24, at The Cinema, 1225 Orangeburg Mall Circle.

The theme of this year’s event is “A White Christmas” and will be held in honor of the late soul singer Frankie Beverly, who died in September. Beverly, who was also a songwriter and producer, was primarily known for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze.

“We’re going to use that theme as a tribute to Frankie Beverly. He passed this year, and we’re going to do a few songs by him,” Jarvis said.

“We’re going to have tables decorated with Christmas lights and that traditional white cap he used to wear at concerts. We’re asking all the attendees to wear white,” he said.

Attire is casual white.

The band will be playing a mixture of old school R&B classics.

The event raises money for the Exotics Band Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships to aspiring musicians.

The Exotics were one of the most sought-after bands of the late 1960s and early ’70s. It had a hit song, “Boogaloo Investigator,” and played back-up for some of the biggest names in the industry during its heyday – Marvin Gaye, Peaches and Herb, ZZ Hill and Clarence Carter, just to name a few.

Jarvis, who plays the keyboard on the band, is one of only three original members of The Exotics who are still alive, including Harry Palmer and Dr. Walter “Wally” Bowers, M.D.

Dwight McMillan, who is credited with having organized The Exotics, died March 1, 2022.

Jarvis said he feels the members who have passed on would be proud that the band is continuing to make music and give back to the community.

“That’s the part that makes me feel good. It seems like even though we’re giving something, you’re getting something back. It comes back around to you. It’s a great honor to be able to do it, too,” he said.

Jarvis continued, “We have a bunch of guys who really have bought into the idea of giving back to the community. That’s basically the thing that’s driving most of us, …being able to want to give back to help somebody else without expecting something in return.”

As with all of the rest of the members, Jarvis was a student of James B. Hunt, the band director at Wilkinson High School. The foundation’s scholarship is named in honor of Hunt.

The scholarship is awarded each year to an aspiring music major.

Jarvis said it felt good to be continuing the scholarship dance after more than 20 years.

“It’s a lot of work, but, surprisingly, we kind of look forward to it. It’s like a family reunion,” he said.

A raffle will be held during the scholarship dance. A breakfast meal is also included as part of the festivities, along with an open bar.

Individual tickets for the event, which raises money for the J.B. Hunt Scholarship awarded each year, are $50, and reserved tables of eight are $400.

Tickets for the dance are available at Jamison’s Pharmacy, Goldstein’s or from any member of The Exotics. Reserved table tickets are also available from Exotics members.

Individuals are asked to bring their ticket stubs to the event because they will be used in the night’s raffles.