With Prize Fest 2022 just around the corner on Oct. 14-23, we can’t help but celebrate the role the festival has had in shaping careers and opportunities for artists from around the nation.
Just this month, Shreveport natives and a 2013 Louisiana Music Prize award winner, the Seratones, performed in Berlin, Germany at House of World Cultures. House of World Cultures is Germany’s national centre for international contemporary arts, with a special focus on non-European cultures and societies. The 2013 award may have been the funk-soul-rock group’s first accolade, but it certainly was not their last. After winning at Music Prize, the band continued to gain recognition and quickly became a favorite on the Louisiana club circuit. They now perform across the world, have released multiple albums, entertain as guests on national television programs like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and are currently on tour.
Prize Fest describes itself as “the most amazing culmination of festivals on planet earth,” and we don’t disagree. This multi-day festival encompasses competitions in music, fashion, film, food, and comedy. Attendees will enjoy fun, quirky, and classic styles of art and are encouraged to vote for their favorites, and winners will receive a cash prize. This hybrid, multi-day festival is scheduled to take place over two weekends Oct. 14-23, with passes ranging from $10-$350. Click here to purchase Prize Fest passes. But if you’re still wondering why people are raving about Prize Fest, here are the details:
WEEKEND 1: Music, Fashion, & Food
Music Prize – Friday & Saturday, Oct. 14-15
The Garage (211 Market Street, Shreveport, LA)
Let the rhythm of Music Prize take you away. This year, eleven bands will compete for a $10,000 cash prize. The 2022 Music Prize Finalists were just announced. Check out these incredible artists’ submission videos here, and start adding to your Spotify playlist today! Some are saying it’s the biggest, boldest Music Prize event ever. Don’t miss this. For more information about Music Prize, click here.
Food Truck Battle for the Golden Spork – Friday & Saturday, Oct. 14-15
200 Block of Fannin Street (Next to The Garage)
All of the best local food trucks in one spot? A self-guided food tour where you get to vote for your favorite? We’re sold. New this year to the Prize Fest schedule, the Food Truck Battle for the Golden Spork is a competition between the top food trucks in the region. Click here for more information about Food Prize.
Fashion Prize – Sunday, Oct. 16
Pheonix Nightclub (400 Commerce Street, Shreveport, LA)
Fashion Prize is a year-long fashion design competition that reveals its top contenders during Prize Fest. This year, six designers are gearing up for a chance to win $5,000. These designers are evaluated by nationally recognized judges. Click here for more information about Fashion Prize.
WEEKEND 2: Film, Food, & Comedy
Film Prize – Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 20-22
Downtown Shreveport, LA – Various Venues
Movie buffs will appreciate Film Prize because you’ll be the judge of 20 short films. Filmmakers from across the world create projects for Film Prize and only 20 are selected to compete for the grand prize of up to $50,000. This year’s finalists have already been selected, and you can check out their work at the Prize Fest website. For more information about Film Prize, click here.
Food Prize – Friday & Saturday, Oct. 21-22
The Garage (211 Market Street, Shreveport, LA)
Food fanatics crave a ticket to Food Prize. Seven celebrity chefs and seven local chefs will be paired to compete in this culinary competition to secure the Food Prize Golden Fork and a grand prize of $2,500 cash! The winner takes home the coveted Golden Fork, and attendees can cast their vote for the People’s Fork. Plus, mixologists compete for the Best Cocktail on the Planet award, decided by the audience. Click here for more information about Food Prize.
Comedy Prize – Saturday, Oct. 22
Prize Fest Big Top (700 Block of Texas Street, Shreveport, LA)
Standup comedy is truly an art, and Comedy Prize has five contestants from across the nation are prepared to give you a laugh that hurts – You know, the teary-eyed, ab-clenching, bellowing laughter we can’t fight. Each will take the stage for a chance to win $2,500. Watch the announcement video at the Prize Fest website, and click here for more information about Comedy Prize.
So, yeah…locals are raving about Prize Fest for significant reason. Art lovers can indulge in experiential artforms up close and personal, and chime in with their opinions where it counts. Purchase your tickets now, or sign up to be a volunteer to get a taste of Shreveport’s Prize Fest.
The Seratones have a uniquely distinct sound and undeniable talent, but could their rise to international stardom have started with Prize Fest? We may never know, but we will definitely be at this year’s event to see the launching of the next big stars in the creative arts.
