8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival
BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – The 8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival announced the talent lineup, Pioneer Award winner and sponsors for the upcoming festival. The event will be held May 17 and 18 at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library – Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The family-friendly event is free to the public. It features blues, soul, R&B, jazz, gospel and Christian music. It also has a Vendor’s Village, judged Soul Food Cooking Contest and Pioneer Award recipient for contributions to the Soul Food industry.
The stage lineup includes Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-stars including Ervin “Maestro” Foster, King Solomon, Kelton ‘Nspire Harper, Pastor Leon Hitchens and comedian Eddie “Cool” Deemer.
Saturday’s talent is the Phoenix Rouge Dance Troup, motivational rapper the Outlaw David James from Nebraska, Christian rapper Stephen King, Ny’Aria, an R&B/Soul singer from Houston, the old school dance band LA Groove, Southern Soul and Blues act Jelly B & D’Wolf, the gospel jazz band, Eilene Rockette and the TBJ Band with guest, the TMQ jazz band from Bermuda and SmokeHouse Porter and the Gut Bucket Blues Band.
Sunday’s talent includes Christian/world artist Princess Teha, southern soul singer Katrina, country/pop singer Susie Shepherd, the jazz/hip hop/blues Band Attack the Sound from Chicago, Lisa Harris with her Tina Tuner Tribute and Vince Hutchinson & the Original Heavy Storm Band. Hosts are filmmaker and author Gisele Haralson and spokesmodel Free Spirit. (See Stage Times Below)
The Pioneer Award for contributions to the Soul Food industry is Cynthia Green of Owen’s Grocery Deli and Market. Founded in 1938 by her parents, David and Emma Owens, Mrs. Green and her family took over the establishment in 1979. Over the years the store evolved into a deli known for its home style breakfasts and lunches. Located in the Valley Park area community service work includes providing the elderly and needy families with hot meals. For more information log on to facebook.com/owenssoulfood.
The Soul Food Cooking Competition is open until May 10. Categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes with judging on Saturday; and Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverage and Ices judged on Sunday. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. Contestants need to bring enough food for six people the day of their judging. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Downloadable forms and additional instructions are available on the website. For more information on the contest and for VIP packages call 225-802-9681 or visit www.brsoulfoodfest.com.
Sponsors for the festival are Visit Baton Rouge, WBRZ Television, Ch. 2, 2+ and their affiliate stations, WBTZ, Ch. 36.1 and WBRZ.com, East Baton Rouge Parish Libraries, Blue Runner, Zyplear Strategies (Eugene Radcliff, Esq.), Thomas Law Firm (Venon W. Thomas, Esq), Follow Dreams Productions, Cutting Edge CE Conference and Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room Museum Foundation.
