A bigger Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival heading to the Main Library this weekend

As it turns 7, the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival is having a growth spurt.

It's a good problem to have, but it's meant a big adjustment for this year's fest — a venue change from the Riverfront Plaza downtown to the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.

"The festival was moved because it outgrew the space. It was spilling over into the USS Kidd and River Center areas and we had a few issues," festival founder Henry Turner Jr. said Monday. "This year, we can expand, be in a more comfortable space and grow it a little since we have more area to bring more soul food and music to the community."

After a pre-party on Thursday night, the main event runs Saturday and Sunday. It's family-friendly and free. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

Music fans, get ready for blues, soul, R&B, funk, smooth jazz, rock, contemporary Christian, gospel, motivational rap/hip-hop and reggae music.

New to the festival stage this year from Louisiana are the zydeco band Double Trouble, gospel/contemporary Christian singer Shawnte Floyd and Vince Hutchinson and the Heavy Storm Band.

Gisele Haralson, Kerwin Fealing, Evelyn Ware and Turner will host. 

In addition to all the music, festivalgoers can watch the Soul Food Cooking Contest and Pioneer Award presentation for contributions to the soul food industry, peruse the vendor’s village and get your fill at the food court.

VIP tickets, priced at $25, will cover food, soft drinks and photo ops from the festival’s soul food kitchen. VIP tickets for two, which are $100, also include T-shirts, a free CD of “Now” by Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and additional perks.

Sponsors are Visit Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Public Library, Synergy Bank, Planned Parenthood, Coco Bongos, Cutting Edge and Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room Museum Foundation.

For more information call (225) 802-9681 or visit www.brsoulfoodfest.com.

EVENT SCHEDULE

All times approximate and subject to change

SATURDAY

11 a.m.-11:10 a.m.: Hosts Kerwin Fealing, Evelyn Ware and Henry Turner

11:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Shawnte Floyd (gospel/contemporary Christian)

11:35 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Pastor Leon Hitchens (gospel/R&B)

Noon-12:20 p.m.: Princess Teha (Christian/world)

12:30 p.m.-1 p.m.: Ervin “Maestro” Foster & My Better Half (jazz/pop/blues)

1 p.m.: Soul Food Cooking Contest judging – meats and fish, vegetable and sides

1:15 p.m.-1:35 p.m.: Southern Magnolia (southern soul)

1:40 p.m.-2 p.m.: Mike Da’Kidd (Christian rap)

2:15 p.m.-2:40 p.m.: Owen Scott (blues)

2:50 p.m.-3:05 p.m.: Krazy D (hip-hop)

3:10 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: ‘Nspire (motivational)

3:40 p.m.-4 p.m.: Soul food winners – meats and fish, vegetables and side dishes

4:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m.: Double Trouble Zydeco Band

4:50 p.m.-5:10 p.m.: Pioneer Award - The New Ethel’s Snack Shack (Paulette Thomas)

5:25 p.m.-6:15 p.m.: Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor (soul/blues/funk/reggae)

6:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m.: Eddie “Cool” Deemer (comedian)

7 p.m.- close: Vince Hutchinson and The Original Heavy Storm Band (southern soul/R&B)

SUNDAY

11 a.m.-Noon: Hosts Fealing, Ware and Turner

Noon-12:20 p.m.: Xavie Shorts (contemporary Christian)

12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: Krystal Parker (southern soul)

1 p.m.-1:20 p.m.: Katrina (southern soul)

1:30 p.m.-2 p.m.: Contemporary Worship (contemporary Christian)

2 p.m.: Soul Food Cooking Contest judging - appetizers and soups, breads and desserts, beverages

2:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.: King Solomon (R&B/soul)

2:30 p.m.-3 p.m.: Tina Turner Tribute – Lisa Harris (rock)

3:10 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Kevin White (pop/funk)

3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m.: House of God Ministries Gospel Singers

4:20 p.m.-4:40 p.m.: Soul Food winners - appetizers and soups, breads and desserts, ices and drinks

4:45 p.m.-5 p.m.: Susie Shepherd (country/pop)

5:05 p.m.-5:15 p.m.: Eddie “Cool” Deemer (comedy)

5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m.: Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor (blues/soul/funk/reggae)

6:30 p.m.-close: SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie (blues)