Soul Music Fest

From BeachStreetUSA

The 6th annual Soul Music Beachfest brings together sand, surf, and music for a weekend of positive feeling, essence, and inspiration. Against the rhythmic background of the Atlantic Ocean, the Soul Music Beachfest invites music lovers to explore the origins of today's diversified music genres including pop, jazz, Latin, and R&B. This free, two-day event combines the various aspects of soul in terms of art, music, and entertainment in an event that will take its participants on a journey that explores the mighty evolution of Soul!

Capture the true essence of soul music, Soul Music Beachfest is proud to present "soulful jazz" with headliner Bob Baldwin on Friday evening and "soulful R&B" with Lakeside on Saturday. Friday's event hours are 4:00pm-11:00pm and Saturday's events will take place from 2:00pm-11:00pm.

Bob Baldwin will take the stage on Friday evening, August 22, beginning at 9:00pm. Baldwin has appeared on BET with both Will Downing and Marion Meadows. He also performed at the 1996 Olympics. Roberta Flack selected Baldwin as the "Sony Innovators" award-winner for his first album, The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin. Since 2000, Baldwin has been developing the New Urban Jazz Radio Format, which is at its very early stages. "NUJ" fuses Urban Music with Contemporary Jazz in a way that only Baldwin can mix it up! Having studied classical and jazz music, Baldwin's intriguing harmonies have also no doubt been influenced by artists like Oscar Peterson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis.

Saturday's headliners, Lakeside, began their journey 27 years ago when a group of high school students from Ohio formed a band that eventually went on to see their albums released by Motown, ABC, and Solar records. Lakeside is known for their positive images, respectful lyrics, demanding voices, and funk attitudes. Lakeside will perform Saturday, August 23, from 9:00pm-11:00pm.

This year's performers also include The Winstons, RaJazz, Tru People, Alisa, Lyrics Project, and VA Aires.

Sway with the waves and rock with the breeze as Virginia Beach hosts Soul Music Beachfest which also features a wide variety of activities, including ethnic arts and crafts. So, grab your dancing shoes and beach towel and prepare to embrace the magnifying essence of Soul as you eat, sing, dance, laugh, and most of all, have fun!

All activities and concerts are free and open to the public.