The inaugural Soul of Southside Arts and Humanities Festival runs May 20th – 22nd in Tallahassee.
Most of the events are happening at Lake Anita and the Anita Favors Thompson Plaza located at 116 W. Van Buren Street. For those who can’t attend, many of the events will be live streamed.
The free festival is hosted by the South City Foundation thanks to funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The goal is to celebrate the rich and diverse history of Tallahassee’s Southside.
“We've gone through COVID. We've gone through issues of violence. We've gone through a lot of different negative things, but we haven't celebrated the good stuff. We haven't celebrated the positive,” says Christic Henry, community engagement and integration director for the South City Foundation and festival coordinator. “What we wanted to do with the Soul of Southside Festival is to kind of start counterbalancing some of the some of the ugly stuff with the beautiful.”
The three-day event includes a youth entrepreneurship expo and pitch competition, and food truck and vendor expo opportunities. It culminates with a musical headliner act and light show that honor neighborhood trailblazers and community icons.
Historical tours of ten Southside neighborhoods are being offered Saturday. Tours can be self-guided, or transportation is provided through Elder Care Services and Leon County Public Schools. Tours begin at Happy Motoring on S. Adams St.
Entertainers include The Hamiltones, Glenn Jones, Adrian Crutchfield, Mama Blue, Tallahassee Nights Live, and Royce Lovett.
Click the "LISTEN" icon to hear a conversation with Christic Henry. To view a schedule of events, click here.
