6th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Stage Lineup, Cooking Contest Judges and Sponsors

BATON ROUGE, La. - May 2, 2023 - PRLog -- The 6th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival announces stage lineup, Cooking Contest Judges and sponsors for the three day event.

On Thursday, May 18 at Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room, located at 2733 North Street, a 'Greens, Beans and Chicken Wings' Pre-Party opens the festival. Entertainment includes performances by Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-Stars. Special guests are the Phoenix Rouge Belly Dancing Troupe and Poet Sir AP. Tickets are $30.00  and include a buffet.

The main festival is family friendly and free to the public. Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21 from 11:00am to 8:00pm daily at Riverfront Plaza, 300 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. It features various music genres, the Soul Food Cooking Contest, Pioneer Award Presentation for contributions to the Soul Food industry, Vendor's Village and Food Court. Lawn seating.

VIP tickets that include food, soft drinks, photo ops from the festivals' Soul Food Kitchen are $25.00 per person. VIP tickets for two that include T-shirts, a CD of "Now" by Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and additional perks are $100.00.

For more information call 225-802-9681 or visit https://www.brsoulfoodfest.com.

Performers new to the festival this year from Louisiana are Susie Shepherd, Kyante, Kevin White, Kyndra Joi and Soul Theory, Princess Teha and storyteller Andrew Wiseman, along with Texas blues artist Jypsy Rose. Returning favorites include Kenny Neal and the Neal Family, SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, the Total Control Band, the Phoenix Rouge Belly Dancers, Mike Da'Kidd, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Xavie Shorts and the House of God Gospel Choir. The Listening Room All-Stars include Owen Scott, Kelton 'Nspire Harper and the Inspiration Band, Ervin "Maestro" Foster, Larry "LZ" Dillon and Jim Masters, Eddie "Cool" Deemer and Sir AP. Touring are Priceless Lion from Nebraska, Lisa Harris and her Tina Turner Tribute from California. Host is Gisele Haralson.

The Soul Food Cooking Contest judges for this year are Nakia Wilson-Nelson, Miss Black Empowerment Pageant Director, writer/director Rita Rushing Jones, James "Soul Man" Polk of Eat-A-Bite, Maria Parker for Oh My Goodness Takeout and Catering and Jennifer Brumfield. Judging on Saturday at 1:00pm is Meats and Fish, Vegetable and Sides. The  Award Presentation is at 2:30pm.  Sunday at 2:00pm is Appetizers and Soups, Breads and Desserts, Beverages and Drinks,. The Award Presentation is at 4:15.pm.

This year's Pioneer Award honoree, for contributions to the Soul Food industry, is Sean "Boss Hogg" Huey of Café Express. The presentation is at 4:30pm on Saturday.

Sponsors are Visit Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Public Library, Planned Parenthood, Humana and Coco Bongos.