R.I.P. Moon Over Minden 2011

No Moon Over Minden at The Farm

The ghost of Sallie Baker will be taking a break this year while Moon Over Minden at the Farm has been cancelled. According to the board of directors of Cultural Crossroads the sponsoring organization does not have the funds to produce it. The ghost of Sallie Baker and her ghouls will sit this one out and hope for a better year in 2012. State budget cuts to the arts coupled with the slow economy led the board of Cultural Crossroads to have to cut some of their programming.

“This was one of my favorite events,” states Chris Broussard, Chairman of the Board. “It’s been a really scary year and not in a fun Halloween kind of way.” Broussard continues. “We’ve had to tighten our belt and make some tough decisions about what areas to cut. We’re hopeful that 2012 will be a better year and we can bring ole Sallie back.”

Cultural Crossroads is one of many arts organizations across the state that has had to adjust their budgets and programs due to deep cuts in State funding to the arts. “We’re a little concerned about our annual Spring Arts Festival, too,” adds Broussard. Cultural Crossroads was recently awarded a $4,000 grant from the State Decentralized Grants Fund which was approximately half of what the organization has received in previous years. A $7,500 grant from the Webster Parish Tourism office helped to offset this year’s festival. “We will be sponsoring a fundraiser early next year in hopes of raising the additional funds so that we can continue our three day arts festival,” Broussard continues. “Right now, we can only afford one day of the three day festival. “ The Spring Arts Festival now in its 18th year has been known for bringing the arts to area school children. “With no arts curriculum in the public schools aside from the Gifted and Talented program, the Spring Arts Festival has been filling that void and bringing to many of our children their first real art experience,” Mrs. Broussard explains.

Cultural Crossroads annual budget of nearly $100,000 doesn’t include any paid staff. The nineteen year old organization has operated without an executive director so that 100% of their contributions could go towards programming. A quarter of their annual budget comes from support from the Webster Parish Police Jury while another quarter of their support comes from local corporations and businesses and the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau. Earned income generated from admission fees to their events and grants make up the other half of their annual budget. Cultural Crossroads has been successful in bringing to the parish more than a million dollars in state and federal grant dollars over their nearly twenty year existence.

The organization is writing more grants than ever this year and their future plans for the Farm will include some future projects that will offer more earned income opportunities to insure the Farm’s future sustainability. “Our four acre Farm has so many rich resources and we’re hoping to tap into those resources in the future so that our community’s children can enjoy the benefits of creative expression and intellectual refinement for years to come,” Broussard adds.

To learn more about Cultural Crossroads of the Farm or make a donation visit their website at

www.artsinminden.com.

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.