Just count on your five senses!
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DURHAM, NC -- On May 26, The Community Chest, Inc. nonprofit produces the third Taste of Durham Festival in a new larger location with ambiance, accessibility, and ample space at the Imperial Center. The festival is outdoors surrounding Winchester Place. The one-day event, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is a buffet for the senses, with choice dishes from restaurants, an array of eclectic bands and musicians, dancers, chef demonstrations, and special activities such an ice sculpture contest, Mardi Gras Parade, and so much more!
1. You can taste it.
The menu reflects Durham's bustling culinary scene and growing internationalism. Established restaurants, new eateries, and catering businesses will serve up treats that defy conventional notions of festival food. The menu reflects the communities bustling culinary scene and growing internationalism. Festival goers can take a tour of the East with the pan-Asian delights of Grasshopper; taste India cuisine with spice and curry; and enjoy sushi from George's Garage; ribs from Texas Roadhouse and Chicago-style rib tips from Da Gibbsky Windy City Grill; Scallops and nonna's pizza from Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria; a fondue experience from The Melting Pot; luxury food from Café Bistro at Nordstrom; authentic Italian dishes from Pomodoro Italian Kitchen, sweets and chocolate decadence from Cold Stone Creamery, CNT's Italian Ice, Bull City Bakery & Victoria's Sweets; authentic Cajun eats from Cajun Charlie's; traditional Cuban dishes from Carmen's Cuban Café & Lounge; Mediterranean dishes from Parizade; specially glazed dishes from Honey Baked Ham, Johnny Carino's favorites, home cooking from Dream Dinners and more mouth-watering dishes from other restaurants to be announced. There's something here for foodies, the casual diner, and adventurous pallets. A special treatis presented by Earth Fare who will take you on a journey to the fantastic world of wine, chocolate, and cheese.
2. You can hear it.
17 Bands Plus 12 Entertainment Performances= A Music Festival as well
TCC continues in their tradition to bring quality national, regional, and local performers and other international and cultural music genres and performers. Four designated stages are welcoming platforms to help support talented and diverse artists and musicians from all walks of the "world." The following are current entertainment and bands lineup:
Main Stage Performances include Jamie McLean, 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 adds the Latin flavor of the music menu. The ever-evolving sound of Richmond, VA-based 9-piece salsa powerhouse Bio Ritmo is proudly rooted in the great Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa traditions. Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes travels directly from New Orleans, LA with their unique FUNK/ROCK style blends of 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. They will also lead the Mardi Gras Procession, which is something one must experience firsthand. From New York City, Nation Beat will make their debut to the Triangle area. They perform 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. Floating Stone is traveling through the US from Europe and will grace the stage with their acoustic instrumental musical experience. The group has performed hundreds of world music, folk, cultural, and rock festivals and events throughout the world. Visit the official website to get pre-sampling of the bands at www.tasteofdurham.org.
The Performance Showcase, Taste of Jazz and Blues, and music to make you feel good are other areas to indulge in the good life. 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. The following is a mix of professional bands, aspiring artists, or those just passionate about the art form: Children of the Horn will offer a Taste of Funk and Jazz, more Jazz will come from The Bradshaw Quartet, Brazilian Soul will share the sound of Brazil, Tiny & Whitey delivers a zesty Taste of the Blues, Tim Smith Band will take you away with a taste of Reggae, R&B and Jazz, Durham Arts School Steel Band will transport you to the Caribbean, get swooped up with David DiGiuseppe with the romantic sound of accordion music around the world, and get a taste of Motown and soul with Mr. Coffee & the Creamers. Listen to authentic Zydeco by Zydecopious. Up and coming band, Dirty Rice, is a mixture of funk, rock, and reggae mixed together to create a unique sound.
Sandbox is a four-piece band specializing in twangy, upbeat traditional children's music and will play familiar classics that everyone knows and loves
3. You can see it.
Performances, artisans, and festival vendors will display and showcase their talent throughout the day. Watch Tim Dumas, the Comic Magician, intrigue audience with tricks up his sleeves and from the air. Jubal's Jubilee is global celebration of stories and songs and introduces the audience to unusual instruments from other cultures. If it's dark enough, watch a Chinese Shadow Puppet show, and The Bouncing Bull Dogs will thrill you with their frills and actions from energetic jump roping at another level.
Watch the streets comes alive with the Mardi Gras Parade with fanciful girls handing out beads, various other opportunities for interaction, pods of roving musicians, people dressed in costumes, giant fantastical creatures and puppets, and the imagination and willingness of other participants. 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. See the chain saws slice and dice huge blocks of ice as choice ice carvers from various communities will sculpt ice creations with artistic flare and creativity. To top off the visual experiences, see various types of dancers with their art forms and styles while giving demonstrations. If you're adventurous, join in the dance!
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. It is a feast for the eyes, the mind, and the palate.
4. You can smell it.
Beside the aroma of the cooking from various restaurant booths, smell the bouquet of the wine International Wine Tasting Pavilion. More than 60 wines from around the globe will be available to sample at the wine pavilion. With various wines from regions and countries, festivalgoers 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.
Then, there's the aroma of hops coming from the International Beer Tasting Garden. Be sure to try the offerings from North Carolina's own Foothills Brewing and Big Boss Brewing Company. Sample hard to find, newly discovered, or unique beers from various breweries and surrounding stations. It's a beer-tasting extravaganza. 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!
5. You can touch it.
Ping Fu Presentation of Taiwan and Chinese Culture will teach about Chinese culture in an interactive way like making dumplings with Playdough, writing Chinese Characters, and cutting paper. The Scrap Exchange will offer 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.
Experience it for yourself and revive all your senses.
