Taylor Hicks to perform at Community Culture Fest 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

[Taylor Hicks]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Office of Community Affairs and Holt Community Partnership will host Community Culture Fest 2011 at Holt High School on Sunday, April 17, 2011, from 1-6 p.m. Among the entertainers will be American Idol winner and Alabama native Taylor Hicks, Caroline Shines, Arrow Trim (featuring local law enforcement officers), local Gospel groups, along with artists from the Tuscaloosa Community. These artists provide entertainment that will cover various genres: Country, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, and more. New this year will also be a custom car and motorcycle show featuring area enthusiasts.

“Culture Fest is an opportunity to show the wealth and diversity of West Alabama culture,” said Dr. Samory T. Pruitt, community affairs vice president. “We are pleased that so many groups have come together with the University to make this event possible.”

Holt High School will transform into a multicultural atmosphere with streets blocked off to make way for entertainment, food, community service groups, health screenings, sports tournaments and other activities. The festival will take place throughout the entirety of Holt High School campus on Jack Warner Parkway.

Culture Fest has drawn up to 15,000 visitors for a day devoted to the awareness of diverse cultures in music, art and community. The 2nd Annual Culture Fest, held in downtown Northport, featured Alabama Music Hall of Fame member Rick Carter, Homemade Jams, Eric Essix, a marching Mariachi band, and other headliner musicians. The initial Culture Fest, which drew in local media attention, included American Idol winner Ruben Studdard providing the main entertainment, with Willie King, Alabama Blues Project, and other local artist. “Culture Fest showcases our community’s cultural wealth while strengthening ties between the university and its neighbors,” said Brice Miller, assistant director of Crossroads Community Center at the university.

Culture Fest began as an idea by University students that envisioned a festival that would unite the Tuscaloosa community with entertainment, games, and fun activities for people of different ages and cultures. It is produced by student interns in the Division of Community Affairs. These student interns have organized this multicultural festival for three years, and have brought people from different locations of Alabama to the Tuscaloosa community. The process has been one of teamwork, dedication and educational experience as the interns have learned the appropriate techniques of event planning while juggling their classes. From planning for food vendors and activities to working with professional artists the process has been both demanding and rewarding as their festival has developed into an atmosphere for individuals of all cultures.

One goal of Culture Fest is to “showcase and recognize the amazing cultural heritage around us that we don’t recognize on a daily basis,” Miller said. Another goal is to unify community outreach organizations and to inform the community about the array of resources they provide, he said.

For children there will be face painting, finger painting, storytelling, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, cotton candy, inflatable jumpers and other activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the UA NAACP chapter and the UA Student Government Association will assist with the festival.

The UA Student Health Center, Good Samaritan Clinic and Tuscaloosa Red Cross will be among the health care providers attending. Free blood pressure screenings will be available.

Other UA organizations that will be on hand include Cultural Connections, Ghanaian master drummer/dancer Emmanuel Agbeli, UA Community Service Center, Collegiate 100, Team Ferg, Freshman Forum, University Programs and the Center for Community-Based Partnerships. Dozens of student volunteers from many UA student organizations will assist. The event will be free of charge, and CrimsonRide will provide pick up and drop off at the Ferguson Center.

Fitzgerald Washington, general sales manager of Buffalo Rock, third-year partner, said: “Culture Fest has a solid vision of developing proven strategies that attract local citizens from diverse backgrounds and providing activities to strengthen the community, ideals that Buffalo Rock also shares,” he said.

Promoters believe Culture Fest 2011 is the “ideal gateway to summer,” said Miller. “Rain or shine Culture Fest will spotlight the unique community that is Holt and to welcome Tuscaloosa and West Alabama residents back home to Holt.”

The Holt Community Partnership was formed in 2009 to promote the general well being and social welfare of the Holt Community, to provide educational, social and health services, to improve and maintain existing community parks and public spaces and community cemeteries, to promote and encourage community festivals, concerts and programs for the benefit of the Holt Community. The HCP consists of a unique partnership of Holt residents, local school staff members, community service agency representatives, local church leaders and numerous UA schools, colleges and departments.

 

Click here to view a flyer for Community Culture Fest 2011.

Click here for more information on Holt High School's website.

[acaroleinfl]

another one that I can't go to. Please come to Ft. Myers, in the Summertime.  We can throw rocks on the Gulf waters. We can eat fresh caught fish at the fish house. Please come to Ft. Myers, in the Summertime, I'm the number one fan of the man from Alabam.