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Cultural Fest shakes it up

By Steve Arney
sarney@pantagraph.com

BLOOMINGTON -- This weekend's Cultural Festival lineup is stacked with the usual showcase of local talent, but the format undergoes a shakeup this year.

Friday night's lineup is gospel; Sunday daytime is jazz and blues.

The tradition at the event, in its 28th year at Bloomington's Miller Park, was to make Sunday the gospel music day.

Tony Jones is the program coordinator for the event. He thinks blues and jazz bands work well on Sunday afternoon. "I think Sunday we will see a more diverse crowd," he said.

He thinks the move to Friday night will help the gospel event. Ten groups will perform, starting at 6 p.m.

Gospel's usual placement on Sunday fit conventional wisdom. But Jones said it wasn't the most convenient for the choirs, the churches or gospel fans. He thinks all of the above will respond to Friday night performances.

The switch won't hurt beer sales; there are none. But there will be food and non-alcoholic beverage for sale throughout the weekend.

Admission is free, except to the teen dance Friday night in the Miller Park Pavilion. The dance has a $2 entry fee, but free refreshments will be served.

Last year's event drew a record crowd. Police estimated 18,000 in attendance over three days, which is about 6,000 more than a typical year, Jones said. He attributes the boost, at least partially, to booking of a headline band, SWV, with some national recognition.

This year, there is no major touring headliner.

Regardless, the event every year is about a relaxed, family-friendly good time.

And a highlight typically is the amateur contest called the Power Stage. This year's Power Stage starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The performers were screened in auditions. The winner in the adult category will be given recording studio time.

In previous years, one such performer was judged to be too good; saxophone player Adam Larson, after winning twice in his early teens, was promoted to a regular stage attraction. He plays with his jazz band on Sunday.

The event started with black leadership, and it may be inaccurately perceived as a African-American event. A look at the schedule shows the effort to be inclusive. Asian and Indian subcontinent programs are noticeably strong.

Jones conceded that Latino participation has been stronger in past years and could be better.

Cultural Festival lineup

Friday

Miller Park Pavillion

1 to 4 p.m. Senior Citizen Bingo

6 to 9 p.m. Teen Dance ($2 admission includes refreshments)

Stage performances

6 p.m. Union Baptist Church Choir

6:20 p.m. Mount Moriah Christian Church Choir

6:40 p.m. Voices of Hope

7 p.m. Judah Ministries Praise Dancers

7:10 p.m. City of Refuge C.O.G.I.C.

7:30 p.m. Sean Tatum

7:45 p.m. Mount Pisgah Choir

8:15 p.m. Felicia Woodard

8:30 p.m. Karen Outland

8:45 p.m. Isaiah & Holy Nation

Saturday

Pavillion Workshop Schedule

11:30 a.m. Sahaja Yoga Workshop

1 p.m. Hindu & Indian Culture Workshop

4 p.m. Indian Music presentation

Children Village

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tent for children's activities

Stage performances

11 a.m. Ken (folk music)

11:30 a.m. Randy (soft rock)

Noon Hu Lu Si instrumentalist

12:10 p.m. Chinese Wu Shu martial arts demonstration

1:00 p.m. Sahaj Yoga demonstration

1:30pm Jugalbandhi Drums / Tabla

2 p.m. Skit (Indian Monsoon Wedding)

2:30 p.m. Power Stage Talent Showcase

4 p.m. Fifteen Minutes of Fame performances

4:30 p.m. Spoken Word-- Expressions In The Dark

5 p.m. Sahira Rhythm & Dance (belly dance)

5:30 p.m. Bollywood talent showcase

6 p.m. Introducing Ces (singer)

6:10 p.m. Taste of Chicago (music from Chicago artists)

7 p.m. Ifficial Reggae Band

7:30 p.m. Street Science (Power 92 talent showcase)

8:15 p.m. Kendell Anders (singer)

9 p.m. Old Skool ('70s and '80s band)

Sunday

Stage performances

1 p.m. Steve The Harp Blues Band

2 p.m. Change Up (jazz band)

3:15 p.m. Adam Larson Groove Quintet (jazz)

5:15 p.m. Soft Spoken (jazz)

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Take a look

Sahira Zedare of Synergy Rhythm and Dance is shown in this 2005 photo. Her studio takes the stage at the Cultural Festival in Miller Park at 5 p.m. Saturday. (Pantagraph file photo)

Adam Larson got pushed from the amateur contest and onto the main stage lineup as a jazz band leader. (Pantagraph file photo)

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