Eatonville, FL – The organizers of the annual ZORA! Festival are gearing up for a commemorative 20thanniversary with two big announcements: 2009 festival dates, January 20 – 25, 2009 and the announcement that the highlighted weekend street festival, renamed the Outdoor Festival of the Arts, will be free and open to the public all weekend, Friday, January 23 – 25, 2009.
“In keeping with the legacy of Zora Neale Hurston and her desire to bring the finest arts and cultural programming to the masses, we are pleased to announce the 2009 Outdoor Festival of the Arts will be free and open to the public,” said Johnny Rivers, board president of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (PEC), organizers and presenters of the festival.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, ZORA! Festival has a slate of entertainers and artists lined up to commemorate this special event. Morris Day and the Time will perform at Center Stage on Saturday, January 24 at the Outdoor Festival of the Arts (3pm). Sunday’s Center Stage entertainment will feature a Battle of the Gospel Choirs Competition. Open to all gospel choirs, the winning choir will be featured on Dr. Bobby Jones’ gospel television show. Also Sunday, gospel comedian, Rod Z takes the stage at 3 pm as featured entertainer. The festival will also feature noted visual artists Lonnie Graham, Rick Lowe and Therman Statom who will each present their work at the festival. The festival will also present a special youth talent stage where school aged children will present song, dance, step and stroll performances throughout each day. A jazz stage will be a featured component, showcasing jazz artists, produced by GG’s Music Basement. The outdoor festival will feature a children’s corner, featuring the Orlando Magic, where there are player meet and greets, games and more; a bigger and better Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Village will be presented as well, where free information, screenings and other health and wellness services will be featured.
The culminating gala will feature Dr. Maya Angelou, and will be held Saturday, January 25, at 7:30 pm at the Sheraton Orlando downtown. Tickets are $100 each.
There’s a whole lineup of things to enjoy during this milestone year!
