BATON ROUGE, La. - eTradeWire -- The 8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival announces talent lineup, Pioneer Award and sponsors. The event will be held May 17 and 18 at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library – Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, from 11:00am to 8:00pm daily. The family friendly event is free to the public and features blues, soul, R&B, jazz, gospel and Christian music, a Vendor's Village, judged Soul Food Cooking Contest and Pioneer Award for contributions to the Soul Food industry.

The stage lineup includes Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-stars, Ervin "Maestro" Foster, King Solomon, Kelton 'Nspire Harper, Pastor Leon Hitchens and comedian Eddie "Cool" Deemer.

Saturday's talent is the Phoenix Rouge Dance Troupe, rapper the Outlaw David James, Christian rapper Stephen King, Ny'Aria, the old school dance band LA Groove, Southern Soul and Blues act Jelly B & D'Wolf, gospel jazz band, Eilene Rockette and the TBJ Band,  TMQ jazz band from Bermuda and SmokeHouse Porter and the Gut Bucket Blues Band.

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Sunday's talent includes Christian/world artist Princess Teha, southern soul singer Katrina, country/pop singer Susie Shepherd, the jazz/hip hop/blues Band Attack the Sound, Lisa Harris' Tina Tuner Tribute and Vince Hutchinson & the Original Heavy Storm Band. Hosts are filmmaker and author Gisele Haralson and spokesmodel Free Spirit.

The Pioneer Award recipient is Cynthia Green of Owen's Grocery Deli and Market. Founded in 1938 by her parents, David and Emma Owens, Mrs. Green and her family took over the establishment in 1979. It has since evolved into a deli known for its home style breakfasts and lunches and located in the Valley Park area of Baton Rouge.

The Soul Food Cooking Competition is open until May 10. Categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes with judging on Saturday; and Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverage and Ices judged on Sunday. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Forms and instructions are https://www.brsoulfoodfest.com or call 225-802-9681.

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Sponsors are Visit Baton Rouge, WBRZ Television, Ch. 2, 2+ and their affiliate stations, WBTZ, Ch. 36.1 and WBRZ.com, East Baton Rouge Parish Libraries, Blue Runner, Zyplear Strategies (Eugene Radcliff, Esq.), Thomas Law Firm (Vernon W. Thomas, Esq.), Follow Dreams Productions, Cutting Edge CE Conference and Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room Museum Foundation.

A Pre-party will be held on Thursday, May 15 at Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room located at 2733 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 7:00pm midnight. Admission is $30.00 and includes a Soul Food buffet and no-host bar.