FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2nd Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Announces Talent Lineup,
Soul Food Cooking Competition Times and Sponsors
North Boulevard Town Square
Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Two Days of Fabulous Southern Cuisine, Continuous Music,
Vendor’s Village and Judged Soul Food Cooking Competition
Baton Rouge, LA (May 13, 2019)…The 2nd Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival is pleased to announce the talent lineup, cooking competition times and sponsors for the two day festival. The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 at North Boulevard Town Square located at 200 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Festival hours are 10:00am to 8:00pm daily. The family friendly event is free to the public and features blues, soul and gospel music, comedy and dance, a Vendor’s Village and a judged soul food cooking competition. Lawn seating so bring your chairs. VIP tickets that include food, soft drinks, photo ops, tented seating area and more, are $25.00 and $100.00 per person. For additional information call 225-802-9681 or visit www.brsoulfoodfest.com.
New to the festival this year, coming in from Fort Worth, Houston, Leander, Dallas and Gonzales, Texas, are Gospel acts Eric Dixon, Determined, Vendi and Neva Ford Nation, along with R&B acts Ms. Jess and Christian Cordan. Gospel acts from Atlanta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida are the “Princess of Praise” Clandra Gantt and Ivory. Also new to the event is Xavier a Hip Hop artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Returning favorites from last years’ festival are Soul & Parliament from Memphis, Tennessee and Mr. Bow Bow Bow from Alexandria, Louisiana. Joining us again from Atlanta, Georgia is world music artist Proph3t and from New Orleans, Louisiana Red Hot Records recording artist Lilli Lewis.
Local hometown favorites include Henry Turner, Jr. & Flavor, the Listening Room All-stars, Larry “LZ” Dillon, ‘Nspire, Wynda Paul, Uncle Chess, Lee Tyme and comedian Eddie Cool. African Queen Z’s Dance Troupe, Leon Hitchens,
Champagne, SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie, Clarence “Pie Man” Williams and the Rouge Band are also returning. Sunday headliner Grammy nominated bluesman Kenny Neal. DJ is “Teddy” Lloyd Johnson of Teddy’s Juke Joint. (Full schedule below.)
The Pioneer Award recipient for outstanding contributions to the industry is Cynthia Green of Owens Grocery & Market. Established in 1938, by her parents, it continues to be a family run business that serves breakfast and lunches six days a week. The award will be presented on Sunday, May 26 at 10:30am.
The Soul Food Cooking Competition judging will take place from 2:00pm to 3:00pm each day. Highlighting regional favorites from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. Dishes in each category are selected by the judging committee. Entry fees are $20.00. Slots are still available. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. The contest is open and downloadable forms and instructions are available on the website. Returning Judges to date are Chef Lacie Lay Hall, Miss Black Empowerment Executive Director Nakia Wilson-Nelson. Additional judges are Chef, Cookbook author and Etiquette Expert Carolyn Shelton, along with food enthusiasts and home cooks Brenda Andrus, Gail Lee and Helena Mouton.
Soul Food Sponsors are Blue Runner, Cutting Edge, Downtown Development District, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, El Yucateco, Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, LA Fitness, Legacy Detox, The Riverside Reader, T-Mobile, Tactical Impact Security, Topgolf of Baton Rouge and Visit Baton Rouge.
The Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Galvez Crest Plaza Stage Lineup is:
Saturday, May 25: *
10:00 DJ –“Teddy” Lloyd Johnson Opening Remarks
10:45-11:00 ‘Nspire (Spoken Word)
11:15-11:30 Lee Tyme (Blues Rapper)
11:45-12:00 Leon Hitchens (Blues/Comedy)
12:15-12:30 Wyanda Paul (Gospel/Jazz)
12:45-1:00 Larry “LZ” Dillon (Singer/Songwriter)
1:15-1:45 Champagne (R&B/ Soul)
2:00-2:15 Eric Dixon (Gospel)
2:20-2:30 Eddie Cool (Comic)
2:45-3:15 Soul & Parliament (Soul/R&B)
3:30-4:00 Determined (Gospel)
4:15-4:30 Xavier (Hip Hop)
4:45-5:00 Winner Announcements/Soul Food Cooking
5:05-5:20 Ms. Jess (R&B/Christian)
5:25-5:35 African Queen Z’s Dance Troupe
5:40-6:10 Henry Turner, Jr. (Blues/Soul/Funk/Reggae)
6:25-6:55 Proph3t (World)
7:00-7:15 Xavie Shorts (R&B)
7:30-7:45 Calandra Gantt (Gospel)
Sunday, May 26: *
10:00 DJ-“Teddy” Lloyd Johnson Opening Remarks
10:30-11:00 Pioneer Award – Cynthia Green, Owens Grocery Store
11:15-11:30 Eric Dixon (Gospel)
11:35-11:50 Christian Cordan (R&B)
12:00-12:30 Ivory (Gospel)
12:45-1:00 Uncle Chess (Soul/R&B)
1:10-1:25 ‘Nspire (Spoken Word)
1:30-2:00 Mr. Bow Bow Bow(R&B Soul)
2:15-2:45 Vendi (Christian Contemporary)
3:00-3:15 Winner Announcements/Soul Food Cooking and Eddie Cool
3:20-3:35 Neva Ford Nation ((Christian/Gospel)
3:45-4:15 Lillie Lewis (Gospel/Jazz)
4:30-5:00 Henry Turner, Jr. (Blues/Soul/Funk/Reggae)
5:15-5:45 SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie (Blues)
6:00-6:30 Clarence “Pie Man” Williams & the Rouge Band (R&B/Soul)
6:45-7:15 Kenny Neal (Blues)
*Lineup Subject to Change. All Times Approximate.
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