Thursday, June 17, 2010

Some of the fine musicians to perform at Pearl Fest....


(BEN JENKINS)
Ben Jenkins, one of Cultural Crossroads Cultured Pearl recipients is also one of the featured musicians at this year’s first annual Pearl Fest. Ben will take the stage this Saturday, June 19
th at 10:50pm prior to the Bluegills. This accomplished musicians hails from Shongaloo and has generated quite a following for his original music. Ben will also be serving as emcee along with Josh Shirley for the afternoon schedule. Nearly two hundred singers, songwriters and musicians will converge on the Farm this weekend while raising money for scholarships. Admission is $10. For details visit www.artsminden.com



(AUBRIE STAHL)


(BRANDON RATCLIFF)

Young musicians and songwriters will dominate the stage during Cultural Crossroads first annual Pearl Fest. The outdoor music festival to be held on the picturesque grounds of the four acre ‘Farm” will include one of the largest gatherings of musicians in recent history. Nearly two hundred singers, songwriters and musicians will be performing while also raising scholarship money for the organization’s Cultured Pearl program.

Aubrie Stahl and Brandon Ratcliff are among the young singer/songwriters to take stage this Saturday. Aubrie is a student at Webster Junior High while Brandon Ratcliff attends Glenbrook. Both young musicians and potential future Cultured Pearl recipients will bring to the stage their original songs. Aubrie will perform at 2pm followed by Brandon at 2:25pm. Also included in the line up of young musicians will be this year’s Cultured Pearl recipient, Caleb Ayers. Caleb will be joined by Braydon Cheatham, Devin Thomas and Coty Haynes as the “Loo Boys.” They will take the stage at 6:55pm. A detailed schedule of performances can be seen on the web at www.artsinmindenblogspot.com.

“This celebration of community, talent and art will also be done in honor of one of our own,” state Elaine Eaton, chairman. We will also be doing this for Beth Watts Bridges.” Special $5 wrist bands embossed with the words “For Beth” are on sale now along with the $10 multicolored wrists bands that will serve as admission to the 1pm-midnight performances slated for this Saturday. Wrist bands can be purchased ahead of time at Blue Moon Java or on the day of Pearl Fest at the Farm. “The yellow $5 wrist bands are for those individuals who are unable to attend Saturday’s event but would like to support our Cultured Pearl program, “ explains Ms. Eaton. “Although anyone is welcomed to purchase and wear one in Beth’s honor this week.”

Pearl Fest will be held on the four acre estate commonly referred to as simply ‘The Farm.’ Located on the corner of East Union and Talton Street, Details about the Pearl Fest, the Farm and Cultural Crossroads can be seen on their website at www.artsinminden.com. Anyone needing more information can contact Elaine Eaton at 318- 208-0006 or elainetravel@yahoo.com or Leslie Coyle at 318 422-9663 or freedom.of.76@hotmail.com or Julie Vogel at 318 286 9476 or jvogel99@yahoo.com.



(THE BLUEGILLS)

One of the hottest young groups around will end the day long outdoor musical festival, Pearl Fest. All from Minden, these young musicians blend together the sounds of reggae and progressive surf rock to make up their unique style of music. The Bluegills are set to perform at 11:15pm on Saturday, June 19th at Pearl Fest at the Farm. Admission is $10. Wrist bands are on sale now at Blue Moon Java or the day of the concert at the Farm located at 417 East Union. For more detailed information and a full schedule of performances visit www.artsinminden. com. A free concert will be held from 9am until 12N and the gates will reopen at 1pm for the paid portion of Pearl Fest. (Left to right Ethan Anderson, Tyler Michaud, Seth Deloach and Quincy Hicks. )


(CHRISTIAN MUSIC)

Kings Servants of Minden will kick off the first annual Pearl Fest this Saturday morning, June 19th at the Farm. Band members Tim Greer, Jeff McCormic, Dwayne Cahpman, Debbie and Joe Sumrall, Phil Guin, Robert Jackson, Chris McGarrety and Gary Floyd will bring their southern gospel style of music to Cultural Crossroads’ first annual Pearl Fest. Kings Servants 9am performance during the morning free concert kicks off the all day outdoor musical event. Kings Servants was first established in 1999 with four men from Eastside Missionary Baptist Church. They have now grown to nine. “We all play a part in the ministry we have to make a joyful noise for the Lord and to give Him all honor and glory,” states Gary Floyd.

Pearl Fest free morning concert to run from 9am until 12N will also be in conjunction with Cultural Crossroads’ Farmers Market held every Saturday at the Farm. Other performances for Saturday morning include the New Light Baptist Church adult and children’s choirs, Daniele Evans, ArtBreak’s overall talent winner, The Mayfield Baptist Church choir and the First Pentecostal choir. Ending the free concert at 11:25pm will be the ever-popular all- girls gospel band, the “Glory Gals.”

Chasing Canaan, another gospel fusion band from the Shreveport area will perform Saturday evening at 10:05pm. Missy Wise, Britney Winn, Kaci Kimball, Carrie Mercer, Sarah Duet, Michael Rafferty, Mike Krusleski and Jamie Halpen make up the groups that met and began worshipping together while in college at Centenary. They began as a fundraising group for a trip to Africa and they have been jamming every since. They are currently in their third year of performing.

Aside from providing a venue for one of the largest showings of musicians in recent history, Pearl Fest will also raise money for arts education according to organizers. This music festival will celebrate past and present Cultured Pearls as well as raise scholarship funds for future recipients. Cultural Crossroads, the sponsoring organization awards the Cultured Pearl scholarship to deserving high school seniors in Webster each year. “This celebration of community, talent and art will also be done in honor of one of our own,” state Elaine Eaton, chairman. We will also be doing this for Beth Watts Bridges.” Special $5 wrist bands embossed with the words “For Beth” are on sale now along with the $10 multicolored wrists bands that will serve as admission to the 1pm-midnight performances slated for this Saturday. Wrist bands can be purchased ahead of time at Blue Moon Java or on the day of Pearl Fest at the Farm.

Pearl Fest will be held on the four acre estate commonly referred to as simply ‘The Farm.’ Located on the corner of East Union and Talton Street, Details about the Pearl Fest, the Farm and Cultural Crossroads can be seen on their website at www.artsinminden.com. Anyone needing more information can contact Elaine Eaton at 318- 208-0006 or elainetravel@yahoo.com or Leslie Coyle at 318 422-9663 or freedom.of.76@hotmail.com or Julie Vogel at 318 286 9476 or jvogel99@yahoo.com.


Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Pearl Fest Music Schedule!

June 19th at The Farm in Minden (417 E. Union) We'll see you there!

(Music from 9:00am to 12:00 noon will be on the main stage in the pavilion)

9:00am-9:40am Kings Servant’s
9:50am-10:30am New Light Baptist: Adult and Children’s Choirs
10:35am-10:55am Daniele’ Evans
11:00am-11:15am Mayflower Baptist Church Choir Bertha
11:20am-11:40am First United Pentecostal Church Choir
11:45am-12:00pm Lacy Cavalier

12PM-1PM CLOSED

Gate closes at 12 noon and reopens at 12:45pm $10 admission charged after 12 noon.

(Music from 1:00pm to 12:00 midnight will be on the main stage in the pavilion and on the house porch)

Main 1:00pm-2:00pm Dorcheat Bottom Band (Blues and Classic Rock)
Porch 2:00pm-2:20pm Aubrie Stahl (Singer/Songwriter)
Porch 2:25pm-2:45pm Brandon Ratcliff (Singer/Songwriter)
Porch 2:50pm-3:10pm Erick Coleman (Jazz Trio)
Main 3:15pm-4:00pm Grant Terry (Pop/Rock)
Porch 4:05pm-4:15pm Jennifer and Joshua (Guitar and Vocals)
Porch 4:20pm-4:40pm Jason Quarles (Singer/Songwriter)
Porch 4:45pm-5:05pm Ben Shirley (Singer/Songwriter)
Main 5:10pm-6:00pm Hard Times (Blues and Southern Rock)
Porch 6:05pm-6:25pm Kaerington Wilson Live (Gospel and Rhythm and Blues)
Porch 6:30pm-6:50pm DeWayne Shyne (Keyboard and Vocalist)
Main 6:55pm-7:10pm The Loo Boys (Country and Gospel)
Porch 7:15pm-7:30pm Young Musicians (Vocalist and Violinist)
Porch 7:35pm-8:00pm John DeChiaro (Classical Guitarist)
Main 8:00pm-8:30pm Cultured Pearls and Memorial
Main 8:35pm-9:30pm The Howlies with Special Guest Keenan Clinton (Blues)
Porch 9:35pm-10:00pm Gold Zombie (Electronic Rock and Roll)
Main 10:05-10:45pm Chasing Canaan (Christian)
Porch 10:50pm-11:10pm Ben Jenkins (Singer/Songwriter)
Main 11:15pm-12m The Blue Gills (Alternative Rock)

Times may vary slightly from schedule.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Save the Date!! June 19th at the Farm!!


Musical talent from across the region have been invited to the first annual Pearl Fest on Saturday, June 19th at the Moess Center for the Arts & City Farm in Minden. Pearl Fest is an outdoor celebration of musical talent from Louisiana. Aside from providing a venue for one of the largest showings of musicians in recent history, it will also raise money for arts education according to organizers. This music festival will celebrate past and present Cultured Pearls as well as raise scholarship funds for future recipients. Cultural Crossroads, the sponsoring organization awards the Cultured Pearl scholarship to deserving high school seniors in Webster each year. The Cultured Pearl award was established in 1995 to honor the late State Representative Everett G. Doerge. Dr. Doerge supported the arts and supported the efforts of Cultural Crossroads. The scholarship that bears his name has been awarded every year to a senior in Webster Parish seeking to pursue a higher education in the arts for the past fifteen years.

“This music festival will feature a variety of musical talent from classically trained musicians to original songwriters,” states Elaine Eaton, chairman and past recipient of the Cultured Pearl. “This celebration of community, talent and art will also be done in honor of one of our own. We will also be doing this for Beth Watts Bridges.“ Beth, a Cultured Pearl recipient who lost her life to cancer was best known locally for her portrayal of Dorothy in the outdoor production of the “Wizard of Oz.” This special arrangement of the famed musical gained statewide attention for having involved more than 300 local children. It would come to be the largest outdoor production in Minden’s history. “This will be a sort of reunion for all Cultured Pearls and a time to remember one of our own,” Eaton adds. Admission to the all day event will be $10 per person, however a special free concert is being planned for that morning in conjunction with the organization’s traditional Farmers Market. Details and a schedule of musicians will be announced later in the month.

Musicians performing will be donating their time and will have an opportunity to sell their own merchandise with no commissions collected by the organization. Pearl Fest will be held on the four acre estate commonly referred to as simply ‘The Farm.’ Located on the corner of East Union and Talton Street, The Farm is also host to the annual Spring Arts Festival and Moon Over Minden. Details about the Pearl Fest, the Farm and Cultural Crossroads can be seen on their website at www.artsinminden.com. Anyone needing more information can contact Elaine Eaton at 318- 208-0008 or elainetravel@yahoo.com or Leslie Coyle at 318 422-9663 or freedom.of.76.hotmail.com or Julie Vogel at 318 286 9476 or jvogel99@yahoo.com.

Marketing and publicity efforts are being underwritten by an advertising grant from the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Article in the Minden Press-Herald:

http://www.nwlanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20117&Itemid=57

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Summer Art Camp Application



You can now fill out and submit the Summer Art Camp application for your child or children. This is a great annual summer activity for kids aged 6 to 16. Dates are June 7-11 from 9:00am - 12 Noon for children aged 11-16. Dates are Or June 21-25 from 9:00am - 12 Noon for children aged 6-10. Enrollment is $100 per child which also includes a FREE camp shirt, art supplies and a mid-morning snack and drink. The Summer Art Camps will be held at The Farm located at the corner of E. Union and Talton St. (417 E. Union) in Minden. The form and other information can be viewed at http://artsinminden.com/forms/CC-ArtCamp-Flyer.pdf. Keep an eye on this blog for any updates and other information regarding all of Cultural Crossroads activities.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Tues. & Thurs. 9am-2pm -- Come Visit!





Come by for a sack lunch, picnic or just a plain visit to see what's been going on at The Farm! Flowers and plants are in bloom and everything is green. This place was built for the community to enjoy. Show your support and stop by on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am-2pm. And don't forget the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning. You can see more pictures of The Farm property at www.artsinminden.com photo gallery. We even have our new beautiful bathrooms now to make your visit even more enjoyable. We'll see you soon at 417 E. Union (corner of E. Union and Talton St.) in Minden!

Webster Jr. High Ag Students Revisit




Webster Jr. High Ag students came again this week to work on the community garden. They started an organic compost pile using weeds and sticks from the grounds and fresh horse manure from a neighbor of The Farm. Garden walkways were created and more tilling was done. Come out to The Farm Tuesdays and Thursdays any time from 9am - 2pm to see all the progress and the property in bloom!