When looking to draw 1,000 people and enough donations to keep a museum afloat, you'd best pull out all the stops.

Dinner with Erykah Badu fits the bill. The alumna of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has become a Grammy-winning artist and "the torchbearer for soul music."

A dinner with her at Al Biernat's in Dallas awaits one lucky bidder at the 23rd annual African American Museum Gala and Auction on May 10.

"That won't be for me," joked Harry Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the African American Museum. "I can only afford to bid on the silent-auction items."

Dr. Robinson, his small staff and hordes of volunteers have toiled away for months preparing for the museum's biggest fundraiser of the year.

"We usually hover around 800 to 1,000 guests," Dr. Robinson said. "But in 2004, when we had Isaac Hayes to entertain, we had a record crowd of 1,300."

The funk group Lakeside will perform this year. Founded by guitarist Stephen Shockley of Ohio, the group includes drummer Fred Alexander of Dallas. Other members include Norman Beavers, Marvin Craig, Fred Lewis, Tiemeyer McCain, Thomas Shelby, Otis Stokes and Mark Wood.

Honorary co-chairs are Bessie and Dr. Wright Lassiter, Dallas County Community College District chancellor, and Rita and H. Ron White, managing partner at Adorno Yoss White & Wiggins LLP.

Debra Peek-Haynes, wife of Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, has pitched in as underwriting chair.

"We are really grateful to all our volunteers," Dr. Robinson said. "We really couldn't exist without them."

Dr. Robinson founded the museum in 1974 as part of the Bishop College Special Collection. The nationally recognized institution in Fair Park is not only a repository for African-American art but also a venue for historical exhibits pertaining to African-American culture.

Among the museum's highlights are decorative arts, Sepia magazine's photo archive and the Freedman's Cemetery exhibit.

The museum is also home to the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, an 11-year-old foundation that annually recognizes athletes and coaches.

The museum's longtime curator, Phillip E. Collins, recently retired. Dr. Robinson said the museum is close to naming a successor. He added that he hopes to retain Mr. Collins as a consultant.

In the meantime, the museum's in good hands with Dr. Robinson. The Louisiana native has created a premier regional cultural center that attracts more and more recognition.