This year’s Arts in Black festival promises to be the largest, most talent-packed event yet with the addition of a second stage to showcase local talent. The annual festival will be held Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27.

The main stage will feature exciting national and international performers, including Jumpers in Command, which is a national Double Dutch jump rope team, as well as the Total Package Band, which will be the stage’s main attraction. This year’s Arts in Black T-shirt design will feature the 25th-year logo, and they can be purchased in advance on the Arts in Black website, www.artsinblack.net.

There will be a talent show at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25 at the downtown Tift Theatre. Talent exhibitions will vary and participants from the county are encouraged to show off their talents during the festival. Tickets will be $7 and will be available at the door. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Talent show winners will receive prizes and will perform Saturday, March 26, at the festival.   

The opening ceremonies for the festival will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at Fulwood Park with a “Recollection of Years Gone By” ceremony featuring individuals representing themes and memories of the Arts in Black festivals over the past 24 years.

Performances will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the main stage as local talent and the main attraction entertain the crowds throughout the day. This year’s main attraction, Total Package Band, has an energetic brand of Motown, funk, soul and hip-hop. They have become a mainstay at weddings, private parties and corporate events throughout the southeast.

Total Package Band has been together for 17 years playing R&B, Motown, old school and beach music for music lovers across the southeastern and northern states and Europe. The soulful horn band, which is what the creator, Tyrone Holmes, plays, has been the soul of Total Package and that is what sets them apart from other bands; they say they care about the music and they won’t have it any other way.

Total Package Band brings more than just the soul to the table. Whether individuals would rather dance to Gladys Knight or Outkast, Total Package Band’s diverse repertoire has something for everyone. Updated frequently, the band’s song list covers everything from the old school soul of James Brown, Eddie Floyd and Duke Ellington to modern hits from Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys – with some ’80s and classic rock added for good measure.  Thus, Total Package Band promises to deliver excitement and energy to the Arts in Black festival.

Jumpers in Command, a national double dutch jump rope team, will also perform at the festival this year. These performers have traveled to countries all over the world including France, Japan, Germany, South Africa, South America and just recently the West Indies. The teams have also performed in a number of entertainment areas including television, amusement parks, theaters and commercials. They have performed in The UniverSoul Circus and have been featured in a number of documentaries. Members of Jumpers in Command have been involved with the Disney production of the movie “Jump In.” They have also been featured in a number of magazine and newspaper articles. Jumpers in Command have also performed as the Dynamic Diplomats of Double Dutch (DDDD), and have attempted to spread the joy of the sport throughout the world. Now, double Dutch will be here at Fulwood Park!

Additionally, lined up to perform will be the Firebird Goddesses, the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Gospel Choir, Kingdom Fitness, Alachia Reynolds — who will be promoting her CD release, and talent show winners. The “Sounds of G-Man” will echo across the park throughout the festival while all festivities are taking place, keeping the crowds musically entertained.  

This year’s Children’s Area will feature powerhouse entertainment complete with clowns, interaction with the audience, dancing, music and balloons. Also, face painting will be available. An added attraction will be the “Barrel Train Ride.” Each of the cars will be equipped with a steering wheel and a horn to keep the little ones busy having fun while being a part of the ride, not just on the ride. The Barrel Train Ride is an innovative attraction destined to keep the young children entertained throughout the day.

The Art Exhibit this year will also have a new format. The festival has an extension of the Tift County African American History display used during the celebration of the Tifton Centennial. This exhibit is nothing like you’ve seen before! Come and see the African Americans of Tifton and how they were involved in this city becoming what it is today. If your family has pictures and artifacts that you would like to add to the exhibit, contact the arts vendor at 386-4360.

As usual, food and arts and crafts vendors will be available to complete the festival atmosphere to be found Saturday, March 26, at Fulwood Park. That night, the Arts in Black festival will host the first annual Greek Step Show featuring sororities and fraternities from local chapters and surrounding colleges.  The step show will be held at 8 p.m. at the ABAC Howard Auditorium. All Greek organizations are encouraged to wear their paraphernalia and support this endeavor. Admission will be $10 and doors will open at 7:30 p.m.  

On Sunday, March 27, a poetry competition will be held at the Leroy Rogers Center at 3 p.m., concluding the Arts in Black festivities.

Stand-up comedian Michael Prince will emcee the weekend festivities. He is a Tifton native and has appeared on the nationally acclaimed BET’s Comicview, and has toured with HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. His talent has also gained him parts in the Oliver Stone film, “Any Given Sunday,” on the big screen. Prince has a production and entertainment company, “Big Nose Entertainment,” for up and coming comedians who may need help with booking agents, contracts and other pertinent aspects of the business.

For more information, contact Tamisha Blackshear, Arts in Black chairperson, at 821-0126 or by e-mail at artsinblackfestival@mail.com, tblacks3@bellsouth.net, or visit the website at www.artsinblack.net.