Vail, Co-April 21, 2011-The Vail Soul Music Fest returns for a 2nd season, August 19th through 21st. Several top Soul Music artists will take center stage at the Ford Amphitheatre in Vail to what is expected to be a sold-out crowd during the festival weekend. Popular “Soul Strolls”, intimate music and dining experiences throughout Vail village, will move the music from the amphitheatre into local establishments, offering a taste of soul music. The Soul Village Expo will showcase merchants, local artists and partner organizations, and will be located in the Betty Ford Gardens adjacent to the amphitheatre. The Youth Day educational program will round out the weekend, stressing the importance of preserving the historical message of the art form. The Festival welcomes aficionados of soul, introduces the uninitiated, and educates new generations to the art of storytelling: the heart of the soul music genre.

Last year’s inaugural festival welcomed more than 1,500 music lovers, and was the first ever event of its kind in the state of Colorado. Evoking sounds and styles from the roots of R&B, jazz, and blues, this year’s performers will entertain audiences from all walks of life and different generations. Last summer’s line-up of performers who were enthusiastically received by the audience included superstar Raphael Saadiq and rising star Dwele. Event organizers will make an announcement of the up-coming line-up in May. Limited ticket and travel packages are on sale now at www.vailsoulmusicfest.com . Discounted spa and golf packages will be available as well.

Event organizers feel passionately that soul music is an art form that can be easily overlooked in the current musical landscape. Holding the festival in a location such as Vail brings a diverse crowd, who are open to the rebirth of the genre. Festival organizers provide this description of soul music:

“Soul Music is alive– It lives in all art forms. It’s the fusion of R&B, gospel, blues and jazz-the core musical genres. The essence of soul music is artistry through story. Stories of our past, engaging in conversations about our present, ultimately shapes our future destinations.”

Now poised to become the premier soul event in the nation, attendees will want to make reservations and plans quickly to ensure they receive a fully customized experience. Show times begin at 5 p.m. each evening; ticket prices range from $25 to $75 and can be purchased online. Attendees will find a warm welcome at Vail Soul Music Fest’s host hotel, the Vail Cascade Resort, with plenty of spots to engage in more storytelling. Reservations can be made at www.vailcascade.com . Information about the Vail Soul Music Fest is located on www.vailsoulmusicfest.com .

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Vail Soul Music Fest is far more than a music concert event-it is “the ultimate soul experience. Vail Soul Music Fest celebrates the heart of Soul Music with top musicians, empowerment events and cultural activities over three days and two nights of performances by some of the greatest Rhythm & Blues (R&B), conscious Hip Hop, Alternative Rock, Blues and Neo Soul artists from around the world. As Colorado’s first-ever soul music event, the Vail Soul Music Fest focuses on the preservation of traditional soul music while also cultivation the growth and exposure of new independent soul artists. The event is held each summer in Vail, Colorado in both outside and inside venues. Including a dine-around, children’s seminars and a merchandise expo in addition to multiple musical performances, the Vail Soul Music Fest strives to preserve the genre through illuminating the storytelling aspect of the full soul experience. Information on the event can be found at www.vailsoulmusicfest.com . Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-920-2787