Pearl Fest 2011 Attended by Many Out of Towners Along With Mindenites

Pearl Fest Was a Real Jewel!

MINDEN, LA-- Pearl Fest lived up to its tag line “All music. All People.” Hundreds showed up in Minden this past weekend for Cultural Crossroads’ second annual music festival raising hundreds of dollars. The local arts organization that owns and manages the four acre festival sight known as ‘the Farm’ delivered on its promise. The range of musicians was as diverse as the crowds. Young and old and everything in between were out of their seats and dancing to songs they knew and songs they had heard for the first time.

More than fifty musicians donated their time this past weekend while showcasing their music and the reason they were there…. to raise funds for the “Cultured Pearl” scholarships.” Young musicians from area schools and seasoned musicians from area cities brought their talent to the back porch of the Farm and the main stage of the pavilion. “The caliber of music provided here this weekend was incredible,” states Randal Wilson of Baton Rouge. “It’s hard to imagine it any better. The atmosphere at the Farm was equally incredible. We had a wonderful time.”

Remembering the late Percy Mayfield and his music was highlighted Saturday evening with a video of one of Percy’s last interviews. The crowd cheered the Minden native who penned lyrics for Ray Charles and BB King. “They clapped and reacted to the film as though Percy were here in person, “states Julie Vogel, co-chair for the event.

Other highlights of the evening included the explosive performances of Angela Wills, Clinton Keener and Dorothy Prime, Louisiana’s Queen of Soul. Dat Band from Shreveport brought the evening to a close but not before coaxing singers from the crowd to chime in including local school board member Johnnye Kennon.

Surveys conducted at the gate revealed a significant increase in the number of out- of- towners to visit the Farm. “Folks came from Breaux Bridge, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport, Bossier, Houston, Dallas, Magnolia, Arkansas and all areas in between,” boasts Chris Broussard, Chairman of the Board. “Our attendance was definitely larger than last year, thanks to the incredible weather and an impressive lineup of talent,” adds Mrs. Broussard. “We heard over and over again from not only the people in attendance but the musicians as well that the Farm was the perfect outdoor venue for music. “

Pearl Fest was sponsored by Blazer Construction of Sibley and funded in part by an advertising grant from the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Pearl Fest 2011 Schedule Is Here!

Friday, September 23rd (7pm-12am)

-7:00 – 7:30: Casey Dozier (Back porch)
-7:35 – 8:05: Jason Quarles (Back porch)
-8:15 – 8:30: Ethan Spillers & Nick Joslin (Back porch)
-8:35 – 8:50: Aubrie Stahl (Back porch)
-8:50 – 10:00 Sanchez & the Symbiotes (Main Stage)
-10:15 – 11:00: TANDEM (Main Stage)
-11:15 – 12:00: Federalies (Main Stage)

Saturday, September 24th (2pm-12am)

-2:00 - 2:15: Brianna Wiese (Back porch)
-2:20 - 2:25: Meredith Nelson (Back porch)
-2:30 – 2:55: Brandon Ratcliff & Quincy Hicks (Back porch)
-3:00 – 4:00: AJ & The Two Tone Blues Band (Main Stage)
-4:00 – 4:30: Brad Ewing (Back porch)
-4:30 – 5:00: Irene & the Sleepers (Main Stage)
-5:00-5:30: Ben Jenkins (Back porch)
-6:00 – 6:20: Derek Rice (Main Stage)
-6:25 – 7:10: Joel Jordan (Back porch)
-7:15 – 7:30: Danielle Evans(Main Stage)
-7:35 – 7:55: Angela Wills (Main Stage)
-8:00 – 8:20: Jim Reed (Back porch)
-8:25 – 9:00: Engine (Main Stage)
-9:00 – 9:30: Percy Mayfield Video
-9:25 – 9:45: Clinton Keener (Main Stage)
-9:50 – 10:30: Dorothy Prime (Main Stage)
-10:30 – 12:00: Dat Band

-Show up around 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time.
-Each band member will receive 1 free ticket for entry to be redeemed at the gate.

Location: 417 E. Union in Minden, LA at the corner of Talton St. and E. Union (Hwy. 80).

The Farm's Water Park Day Recap

Many had a blast at last Saturday's Water Park Day at The Farm (Sat., August 6, 2011). Kids were waiting at the gate when it opened at 10am. Between 30 and 40 children were in and out all day enjoying the nice, big tubs full of refreshing and cool water. Parents got to enjoy watching the kids splash and have fun in the shade. For some children, it was their first time to get to play in the water this Summer. We're so happy the children got to experience it! All the kids were offered chips and popsicles every half hour.



Thank you for supporting Cultural Crossroads and the many projects it provides the community. If you would like to support, please go to www.artsinminden.com to find out how to help!

Name This Flower!....

We have a mystery plant growing at The Farm and we need your help figuring out what it is. This is one of the plants that has recently been let to "go wild" and this is the gift it gave back. It is one of the original plants of the property that Mrs. Zenobia West and her two Aunts planted. It grows on a vine. So help us figure out what plant this is....

Beat the Heat -- Cooling Stations Are Here!

Cultural Crossroads and St. Rest Baptist church have teamed up to address the scorching hot temperatures by providing a couple of 'cooling stations.'

St. Rest will open their new community center with special activities for seniors and children. Cultural Crossroads' Farm located just a half a block from the church will open up Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10am-3pm with an old fashioned water park. Fully equipped with cold water in brand new horse troughs, the makeshift swimming pools will provide neighborhood kids with a cool dip in the water. With plenty of shade, the four acre Farm will provide a nice retreat for neighborhood children. Popsicles will be handed out compliments of Sheriff Gary Sexton. Lots of ice cold water and chips are compliments of Gene Reynolds, candidate for State Representative. And Coca Cola Bottling Company has donated bottled water for the church's cooling station.

July 3rd - Minden's 1st Blues & Old School Music Festival

On July 3, 2011, many fine Minden folks enjoyed great food, friends and music at The Farm on Talton St. The event was produced by Penal Farm Rd. Entertainment, LLC.

(Penal Farm Rd. Entertainment Owners: Avrett, Sugar Bear, and Lavert)


-- Part of the crowd enjoying the live music under the Farm pavillion.


-- House band, "Dat Band", keeps the crowd entertained.


-- A young patron dancing to the live music.


-- Unique's Barbecue smoking on the grill.

Nearly two hundred people converged on the Farm in Minden recently for the first Blues and Old School Festival. Among the musicians and singers to perform was Dorothy Prime. Mrs. Prime has been singing for forty five years and has performed with Johnny Taylor, Ike and Tina Turner, and BB King. Her most recent engagement included assisting Eric Clapton with his latest album. The Homer native who sells cars for Harper Motors in Minden toured in Italy and London and has two top hits of her own, “Find Yourself” and “Alcohol Blues.” Other musicians highlighted included Angela Mills, Hollywood Hayes of Houston, Texas, Derrick Rick, Ceasar Calloway, and Clinton Keener while the house band “Dat Band” accompanied many of the singers.

“I’ve been to many music festivals and this one was over the top,” states Julie Vogel, board member of Cultural Crossroads.

The first Blues Festival was produced by the Penal Farm Road Entertainment LLC of Minden. The group is already working on next year’s festival. The Penal Farm Road Entertainment Co. will join forces with Cultural Crossroads this spring to assist in the production of the second annual Pearl Fest to be held at the Farm. For more information visit the website www.artsinminden.com.

Some other facts about musicians from the 1st annual event:
-Dorothy Prime - singing for 45 years; performed with Johnny Taylor, Ike and
Tina, and BB King and helped Eric Clapton on his latest album. Toured in Italy
and London. Top hits "Find Yourself a Job" and "Alcohol Blues"

-Angela Wills - Minden native...independent gospel recording artist...project
entitled "My Everything" to be released this November.

-Hollywood Hayes - Houston native...former member of Marvin Sease Band...first
single "We Have Some Problems" next release "In the Mood"

Earth Campers 2011

Our art camp kids created their first piece of original art using handmade stencils. These 'Fleur De Leaves' were one of several pieces of art completed this week. Next week, an entirely different group of kids will meet up at the Farm for week two of Earth Camp.

The Farm was the perfect location for Earth Camp. While temperatures were in the 90's, there was always a cool gentle breeze at the Farm. It was surprisingly comfortable and the atmosphere was perfect for bringing home the message that we need to 'take care of our Earth.'