July 04, 2019 

By Lauren Floyd 

Contributing Writer 

 

Every year, at Bakewell Media’s Taste of Soul family & food festival, hundreds of hopeful performers audition for a chance to showcase their talent in front of thousands on the StarQuest stage at Taste of Soul. That opportunity returns this summer with the launch of the StarQuest 2019 competition. All interested and talented vocalists can now submit a video audition by visiting TasteofSoul.org and the Taste of Soul Instagram - @TasteofsoulLA.

 

Just like every year, StarQuest and the 14th Annual Taste of Soul Family & Food Festival are bringing even more raw talent and quality entertainment to Crenshaw Blvd., but this year with an added category — Gospel music!

 

“We are pleased to add the ‘Gospel’ category to the StarQuest competition this year,” says Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Founder & Creator of Taste of Soul & Chairman of Bakewell Media. “Gospel music is important to our culture and community.  We look forward to being inspired by all of the talented gospel artists who will enroll in the newly designed digital competition.”

 

This year, the competition has gone completely digital and the registration and entry process is simple.  The first step is to visit the Taste of Soul website and follow the Instagram page, @TasteofsoulLa. The next and most important step is to upload a one-minute video submission of your singing. Be sure to tag @TasteofSoulLa and encourage your friends and family to like your video. One “like” on your profile page equals one vote, so spread the word and share your video with everyone!

 

Exposure on the Taste of Soul platform and in the West Coast’s largest Black newspaper is just the beginning. The 2019 StarQuest winners will walk away with a cash prize and a free workshop at the 1500 Sound Academy in Inglewood, CA.

 

This competition is designed to lend Bakewell Media’s platform and our crown of over 350,000 to deserving talent in the community.  As always, Taste of Soul is a safe, family-oriented entertainment and food festival and this year, Bakewell Media COO Pamela Bakewell says she looks forward to seeing the new talent this year.

 

 

“StarQuest has provided an important platform for young and older adult artists to showcase their talent to our community,” says Ms. Bakewell.  “This year, we encourage all of our Taste of Soul families and friends to enter the competition and also to sign up to enter and to vote for your choice of talented singers. Mostly, we want to see you at Taste of Soul on Saturday, October 19, either competing or cheering on the winners.”

 

2018’s Kids StarQuest winner Jhala Angelique is still buzzing after she wowed the judges during last year’s show. “My experience with Taste of Soul and participating in the entire StarQuest competition was amazing! I really felt the love that everyone was sharing around and it was just really, really exciting for me as rising artist,” Jhala told the Sentinel.

 

You can enter now until September 15. Winners will be selected on October 1. To learn more about how you can make your dreams come true, visit tasteofsoul.org/starquest

Category: Community