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 19^th 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 19^th 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.