Here & There

They’re All Ears

There will be plenty of “shuckin’ and jivin’” at the annual Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival scheduled for May 24-25 at the festival grounds in Zellwood, just outside Orlando. Along with plenty of corn and country music (some would think that’s one in the same!), visitors can take part in corn-husking and corn-eating contests, and browse some of the finest arts and crafts in the state of Florida.

Most festival attendees are drawn to “Big Bertha,” the oversized cauldron that cooks 1,650 ears of corn every nine minutes. Other activities include an antique tractor show along with amusement rides and top-notch entertainment. Scheduled to appear this year are Steven Curtis Chapman, John Anderson, Jim Van Fleet & The Reign, Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive, and Blake Shelton. 

For more information, call (407) 886-0014 or visit www.zellwoodcornfestival.com.

www.dollywood.com

Good Golly, Miss Dolly

Singer/songwriter Dolly Parton has penned more than 3,000 songs during her prolific career and is one of country music’s true legends. She’s also a proud native of Sevierville, TN, and in honor of her accomplishments, the town holds an annual “Mountain Soul Vocal Competition” during its Bloomin’ Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival scheduled for May 16-17.

Contestants must sing a song written by Dolly in the style of his or her own choosing—country, bluegrass, rock, rap, etc. Singers are not encouraged to impersonate Dolly physically or vocally at this competition, simply to sing the song in the way most suited to each one’s vocal style. Dolly wrote and performed more than 3,000 songs, which are listed on her website at www.dollymania.net. (Contestants will not be allowed to perform I Will Always Love You.)

Twenty finalists will be selected to come to Sevierville on May 17 and compete. They will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals both during the preliminary round and the finals. There are two age divisions: 13 and above and 12 and under. Winner of the older age group will receive cash and a recording session in Nashville, while the 12 and under winner will receive $100 and two season passes to Dollywood.

For more information on the competition and the festival, call (888) 889-7415 or visit www.bloominbbq.com.

Splendor in the Grass

A great classic film, and perhaps one you’ll see one day if you attend the weekly Thursday screenings of film classics at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. The FREE event shows Hollywood films from the end of May through the month of June courtesy of Peachtree TV (formerly WTBS).

The schedule includes Jaws (May 29); Big Mama's House (June 5); Chicago (June 12); E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial (June 19); and a Viewer's Choice of Back to the Future, Rocky or Footloose (June 26). In addition, bands are scheduled to perform on movie nights, too.

Attendees will be able to bring food and drinks (no alcohol) and low-backed chairs, but not grills, glass containers or pets. Food and drink also is available on site.

For more information, call (404) 575-7888 or visit www.peachtreetv.com.

Don’t Let This Fall Thru the Quacks

Mark your calendars! Thousands will flock to the banks of the Etowah River in Cartersville, GA, on May 17 to watch and to take part in the seventh annual Duck Derby, a fun event that also includes food, arts and crafts, entertainment, games and door prizes.

This year’s theme is “Surfin Safari.” Put on your finest Hawaiian shirt and catch the wave of tropical fun! Thousands of “adopted” rubber ducks are dumped into the river at around 2:30 p.m. to race for fabulous prizes. Individuals adopt ducks, then each duck is assigned a number. Adopted ducks that make it first into the duck trap win prizes donated by local businesses. The grand prize winner can choose from one of three cars donated by Terry Reid Kia. The Dawdle Duck prize for the very last duck fished out of the river will win a one-year membership to Gold’s Gym. And it’s all for a good cause. Plan now on getting all your ducks in a row for this fun event.

For more information, call (770) 387-1143 or visit www.advochild.org.

A Swine of the Times

They may be saluting the country of Turkey at the Memphis in May Festival, but the other star at this event is pork—as in pig. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is scheduled for Tom Lee Park from May 15-17, with teams competing for more than $90,000 in prize money and the opportunity to be called the Champions of Barbecue.

The annual affair is said to be the largest pork barbecue-cooking contest on earth. It’s often referred to as the “Superbowl of Swine,” “The College of Pig Knowledge” and “The Grandaddy of Grills.” But whatever it’s called, it’s sure to be fun for the whole family.

While the porkers take center stage, teams get into the spirit of things by dressing up their grills in a variety of interesting ways. Expect to see anything from fire trucks, airplanes and piggy banks to pot-bellied stoves. Last year, the event drew visitors from 49 states and eight foreign countries. Local codes prevent teams from selling barbecue to the general public, but there’s still plenty of real championship barbecue to go around from food vendors. In addition to the food and the competition, there is nightly entertainment that includes country, R&B and bluegrass music on the Sharp Main Stage.

For more information, call (901) 525-4611 or visit www.memphisinmay.org.

Salsa—But Hold the Chips

If you’ve got some great dance moves and want to prove it, shuffle, shimmy or strut down to Miami Beach for the annual International Hustle and Salsa Competition, where dancers of all abilities are encouraged to compete with some of the top Latin talent ever to put on a pair of dancing shoes.

You’re invited to slick back your hair and get your groove on for coveted prizes in the Just Hustle, Classic Hustle, Theater Arts Hustle, Salsa Casino Rueda, and Jack and Jill categories for novice, intermediate and professional competitors. Other dances include Style Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive, Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango.

The four-day competition includes dance workshops, parties and discos, and is the ultimate salsa experience for any age.

Registration for the event takes place on April 30, but continues each day for each
session. The competition runs from May 1-4.

For more information, call (954) 358-0168 or visit www.hustleandsalsa.com.

Love Is on the Horizon

Every Sunday, the Romantic Sunsets program takes place in Old San Juan from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

The public gathers together at La Princes Walkway  to enjoy a romantic evening with live music performed by different Puerto Rican “trios.”  This enchanting walkway is elegantly landscaped with trees, statues, benches, street lamps and kiosks. You can sample a variety of traditional Puerto Rican treats, including piraguas (shaved ice) with exotic flavors like tamarind and acerola, or just sway away to the native beat. The promenade faces the bay, brimming with colorful fish, and sets the stage for unforgettable sunsets.

For more information, call the Cultural International Office at (787) 723-0692.

Jazz It Up

One of the premier jazz events in all the Caribbean is held every year at the Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan. The Heineken Jazz Fest takes place this year from May 5-8, includes top-ranked musicians from around the island and the world, and emphasizes Latin jazz and Puerto Rican styles every evening.

The lineup for this year’s festival had not been announced by press time, but last year’s musicians included Arturo Sandoval, a protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie. Also appearing was Charlie Sepulveda, James Moody and Dizzy Gillespie’s All-Star Band. 

For more information, call (787) 277-9200 or visit www.prheinekenjazz.com.

Time to Grow

One of the best festivals on the island is the annual Aibonito Flower Festival, a flower and plant lover’s dream come true. This plant, flower, gardening and landscaping festival features exhibits and the sale of the most popular and newest varieties of tropical flowers and plants, as well as pottery, garden accessories and food. The event takes place June 29-July 8 and is held in the central mountain town of Aibonito.

For more information, call (787) 735-3871.

Danza Takes Center Stage

The week of May 11-20 commemorates what is considered by most to be the top artistic expression of the Puerto Rican culture: the danza music and dance.

Rooted in Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage, danza was originally enjoyed by the wealthy as a common social activity. Eventually, the music became a tradition for all Puerto Rican people. Composers such as Juan Morel Campos were inspired to write about romantic confessions, lost loves and shared affections, which became the predominant themes in this type of music. The national anthem, La Borinqueña, is Puerto Rico’s best-known and most sentimental danza. During danza week, live performances and conferences are held at the Convento de los Dominicos Indoor Patio in Old San Juan.

For more information, call (787) 724-1844 or visit www.gotopuertorico.com.