Oftentimes it can take well over a decade, or multiple decades, for a street festival to grow in prominence and attendance.
But the Los Angeles Sentinel's Taste of Soul has hit the big festival marker in a matter of just a few years. The reasons are clear: In just over a half decade the fest has become a hugely attended to-do committed to the best in soulful music and soulful eats and family-fun activities. How huge? Think four stages of entertainment, dozens of food purveyors, and a stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard that is closed to traffic for the bulk of an entire Saturday.
The festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 -- find it between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Rodeo -- and the happenings within the larger party are many. Deniece Williams, Tyrese, Naughty by Nature, and Al B. Sure will perform (the stages include 94.7 The Wave, a KJLH Stage, and stages devoted to Gospel and Praise). Restaurants like Brother's BBQ, Brandiva & Sir Jerk's, and Mabel's Gourmet Pralines will be doing the food thing (mmm, Mabel's Gourmet Pralines). And there will be kidly activities throughout.
Our favorite part of the day is the Guinness Book of World Records attempts. That's right, attempts, as in plural. The festival will try and stage the largest Cupid Shuffle ever and the largest Soul Train Line. We like multiple Guinness Book attempts within one festival, and definitely ones involving dance. Excitement, especially for people participating in both.
There's going to be a Let's Move LA Flash Mob, too. Here's a sneak peek.
