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Isaac Hayes To Hold Charity Birthday Bash

New York event intended to benefit inner-city school music programs.

Soul legend, radio host and "South Park" Chef Isaac Hayes will host a celebration on his birthday, Aug. 16, to raise money for the Isaac Hayes Foundation.

"Memphis in Manhattan," to be held at the Copacabana in New York, is the singer's fourth annual charity birthday bash. This year's party will pay homage to musicians from Memphis, Tenn. — where Hayes got his start as a producer, songwriter and house musician at Stax studios.

Stax's roster included Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers and Sam & Dave, among others. Artists invited by organizers include Mavis Staples, who had several early 1970s hits as part of the Staple Singers, including "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There"; the Bar-Kays, a Stax house band that found success with its own 1967 top-5 hit, "Soul Finger"; and Betty Wright, who toured with the Staple Singers and Taylor before striking out on her own successful solo career in the 1970s.

The party will raise money for music education in inner-city schools, with proceeds going to fund music scholarships and purchase instruments for needy students. Invited guests include Carl Thomas, Lucy Pearl and Kelly Price, according to a spokesperson for the party's organizers.

Last year's celebration, which drew 2,000 partygoers, had a "Shaft" theme, in honor of the 1971 film that Hayes scored (RealAudio excerpt of "Theme From Shaft"). Call (212)586-9315 for tickets to this year's event.

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