Taste of Durham Festival 2007 Music and Entertainment Lineup

The Taste of Durham Festival returns in 2007 with great food, live music, and a slice of the good life infused with an international twist. Art and cultural themes and opportunities to celebrate the good life are woven into festival activities. This signature festival offers a unique venue to showcase international and cultural entertainment, area restaurant food sampling, art and cultural experiences, venues for artists and musicians, activities for children, and a unique mix of interactive entertainment. The eclectic music lineup features known and emerging artists and a variety of music and international entertainment experiences with a contemporary approach.

"We will continue in our tradition to bring quality national, regional, and local performers and other international and cultural music genres and performers, ethnic dance demonstrations, and unique interactive celebrations like the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Parade," says producer Kim Ruskan. "The festival also is a welcoming platform to help support talented and diverse artists and musicians from all walks of the “world”."

The Taste of Durham Festival is a unique festival format unlike any attraction in the Triangle area (a metropolitan area that includes Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh). "It is our hope that this type of platform will create bridges toward appreciation, respect, and understanding of diverse cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and welcomed people that live within your community and beyond," says Ruskan.

 

Main Stage Performance

Like the creation of a tantalizing dish, the entertainment and music lineup at the Taste of Durham Festival is blended and chosen to complement the activities and ambiance. Notable and known musicians will perform an eclectic blend of music and international genres. Be invigorated by the music and be inspired to dance!

• Jamie McLean is most widely known as the guitarist for the New Orleans jazz, funk institution The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Jamie’s songwriting, filled with catchy hooks, beautiful lyrics and scorching guitar work has mingled with the soulful gumbo of the deep south
• Bio Ritmo The ever-evolving sound of Richmond, VA-based 9-piece salsa powerhouse Bio Ritmo is proudly rooted in the great Afro-Cuban & Puerto Rican salsa traditions.
• Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes Their unique FUNK/ROCK style blends guitar, violin and harmonica with a hard driving rhythm section reminiscent of the Radiators’ swamp funk added to the punchy horns of Tower Of Power.
•  Nation Beat Eclectic world-groove music with Brazilian Roots. Inspired by the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of maracatu, Chico Science & the Mangue Beat movement of Recife, Brazil as well as New Orleans second-line, funk, and jazz, the Brooklyn-based group Nation Beat has created a fresh compelling new sound.

Taste of Jazz and Blues

Showcase of various jazz and blues styles: sample from traditional, contemporary, and innovative concepts. Schedule TBA

Performance Showcase

Gifted artists, musicians, and entertainers will showcase their talents. Listen to diverse music genres from seasoned performers to performers on the rise to stardom in their own right. Simultaneously, this festival is a great opportunity to showcase new artists and give talented musicians an opportunity to reach a broader and varied audience base. Discover new music and support established artists. Sample all kinds of tunes.

* Children of the Horn: Taste of Funk and Jazz
* Bouncing Bull Dogs : Thrills, Frills and Actions from energetic jump roping at another level.
* Brazilian Soul: Taste of Brazil
* Tiny & Whitey: Taste of the Blues
* Tim Smith Band: Taste of Reggae, R&B & Jazz
* Durham Arts School Steel Band:
* David DiGiuseppe: Experience romantic sound of accordion music around the world
* More to be announced

Restaurant Food Sampling

Some of the best local chefs, restaurateurs, and creative caterers will showcase their talents with recipes and offer a wide assortment of food samples to please any palate. Savor the gourmet, home-style, and international food samples from area food establishments.

Interactive International Dance

Dance around the World. Various types of dancers will entertain you with their art forms and styles while giving demonstrations. If you’re adventurous, join in the dance! Experience the art of dance: the connection, the grace, the romance, and just plain fun.

* The Largest Electric Slide and Line Dance in the Triangle
* Mambo
* Tangophila
* Salsa for you
* Jack & Zeydco
* Inis Cairde Irish Step Dance
* And Other Dancers TBA

Family Fun & Entertainment

 Interactive, educational, and fun activities for kids of all ages, along with music from around the world, an international journey with activities and entertainers, face painting, giveaways, and much more! Extra-special events are in store for the kids. From NBC mascots to Clowns, face painting, moonwalks and other entertainment is in store for the whole family. Some of the activities include:

Jubal’s Jubilee: A Global Celebration of Stories and Songs. "As a storyteller/musician, the focus is global folk tales and a few tangents on my personal experience traveling in various countries. I also like to introduce the audience to unusual instruments from other cultures."-Patrick jubal Creech UNC Chapel Hill K-12 Global Initiatives

Ping Fu Presentation of Taiwan and Chinese Culture

Learn about Chinese culture in an interactive way like making dumplings with Playdough, writing Chinese Characters, and paper cutting. Watch a traditional Chinese Lion Dance team: two lions, a Buddha, and a Drummer. UNC Chapel Hill K-12 Global Initiatives

Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University : Interactive activities to bring out the artist in you.

Scrap Exchange: The Scrap Exchange will be offering international hands on creative arts experience at Taste of Durham. Come and make your own flag from colorful parachute fabrics, hats from around the world, musical instruments, or masks and hats for the Mardi Gras Procession, all with reusable materials. We will be offering these free hands on art experiences throughout the day.

Tim Dumas, Comic Magician
Take a comic relief break. Tim has performed stand-up comedy and magic for clubs and cooperate businesses from Toronto to Miami and taught improvisation/acting and clowning. He also studied with "Artistic New Directions," a group of talented and world-renowned performers/instructors from Second City and The Groundlings.

Music Stations: Performers and musicians will stop by and demonstrate the origins and of various music styles and entertainment.

Mardi Gras Parade

The streets comes alive with fanciful girls handing out beads, interaction, pods of roving musicians, people dressed in costumes, giant fantastical creatures and puppets, and the imagination and willingness of other participants. Experience the thrills and frills of a Mardi Gras procession with our international twist. Feel the energy and vibes only felt by being there. It will be headed by Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, one of the main stage performers and Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s giant with their fanciful creatures. The line does not stop there. The festival procession includes people in costumes and masks, beads tossing, giving treats, and opportunities for anyone to join.

Donovan Zimmerman & Jan Burger Together they sculpt, paint, sew, design, direct, write, perform, play music and generally do whatever else it takes to make a puppet show; from the initial inklings of an idea while walking in the woods, to the slopping of paper mache goop with numerous volunteers, to performing in sweat soaked masks, and finally schlepping the puppets away.

Ice Sculpture Carving Contest

Witness the artistry of ice sculpturing and chill out. Choice ice carvers will sculpt ice creations in a race against time and the warmth of spring. Watch in awe and intrigue, and be chillingly inspired by ice artistry at its best. The winner of the contest will receive a cash prize and bragging rights. Vote for your favorite creation to honor a carver with a People’s Choice award. Schedule TBA

International Wine Tasting Pavilion

With various wines from regions and countries, festival-goers are assured of a sophisticated selection of fine beverages from close at hand and around the world. Visit surrounding experiential and educational International Wine Tasting stations with fanfare presented by wine distributors, vineyards, restaurateurs, and other applicable businesses. Discover the art of wine tasting. Breathe the aromas, sip, savor, and toast with friends.

International Beer Tasting Garden:

Sample hard to find, newly discovered, or unique beers from various breweries and surrounding stations. It’s a beer-tasting extravaganza. Beer experts will also be on hand. Stop by other stations to learn about beers and discover the art of beer tasting. Smell the hops, sip and savor, and taste some more!

Chef and The Good Life Demonstrations

Area chefs will use a specially designed kitchenette that emulates the Food Network television show. Chefs and related talent will demonstrate cooking and other culinary skills as well as offer tips for entertaining and celebrating the good life. The customized kitchenette will be filled with demonstrations, presentations, and opportunities to sit, watch closely, interact with the chefs, and taste the food creations. A feast for the eyes, the mind, and the palate. Schedule TBA

Taste of Durham Iron Chef Competition. Several chefs will compete in this serious spoof of the notable Iron Chef Competition as seen on TV. We will have a list of ingredients of fresh market items and some type of protein. Watch them prepare, mix, and add final touches. An entertaining moderator with host this segment, talk with chefs, ask questions, and share in the fun. Who will be the next TOD Iron Chef? Schedule TBA

Art Is Alive: Artist Exhibits

An interactive showcase of art and cultural exploration. Creations Galore, original works, imported works from around the world

Essentials

Saturday, May 26th, 2007 11am to 7pm

New Location: Outdoors at Imperial Center Surrounding Winchester Place (near Sheraton Imperial Hotel Page Rd Exit 282 off Interstate 40), 4309 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC 27703

General Admission: $4 advance & $6 at festival. Free admission for children under 12 Time: 11am to 7pm

Tickets available online and sold at Triangle area Harris Teeter locations and Morgan Imports in Downtown Durham

Coins for food and beverages sold separately

 The Festival is produced by The Community Chest, Inc., a nonprofit organization with passionate commitments to serve community interests and enrichments. "Our commitment is to create a festival with distinction and to showcase high-quality entertainment and activities. Our other intent for each festival is to create a signature status, create a unique platform to showcase many aspects of art, culture, and lifestyle experiences with “affordable” ticket pricing, reach a large, diverse, and targeted community groups, and provide welcoming opportunities for businesses, organizations, and members of the community to connect beyond geographical boundaries."

Website: www.tasteofdurham.org.