EDMOND — All of the senses will be heightened at the Rhythm, Qs & Blues event Memorial Day weekend.

Edmond’s Fine Arts Institute is pulling out all the stops for its inaugural “celebration of rhythm, barbeque and blues.” The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Hafer Park.

Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed May 28 “Rhythm, Qs & Blues Day” to celebrate the new event sponsored by the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond and sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.   

One of the event sponsors, Robert Mixer, owner of Robert Mixer Construction, who grew up in Edmond, said, “I am just so blessed to live in this community, and helping sponsor the Rhythm, Qs & Blues Day is one way I can give back.”

Mixer’s father, Orren Mixer, was also a life-long Edmond resident and supported his family as an artist.

“When a good friend of mine, Rob Holloway, told me about the event I said I will be in involved in it,” Mixer said. “I’ll be right there with him.”

Holloway is on the FAI board of directors and loves barbeque and that portion of the weekend was his idea, said Mitzi Hancuff, FAI executive director.

The event will join the 23rd annual Edmond Jazz & Blues Festival taking place at Stephenson Park the same day.

“We will be ending Rhythm, Qs & Blues Day about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and we will be encouraging our crowd to go on over to the Jazz Festival that starts Saturday from 4-10 p.m. and runs through Sunday from 2-10 p.m.,” Hancuff said.

Contestants will be at Hafer Park grilling chicken, pork, ribs and beef as they wait for the selection by certified judges.

The grand champion of the Rhythm, Qs & Blues event will receive an invitation to the American Royal Barbeque cook-off.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society has sanctioned the contest for judging the world-class barbeque entries from 39 cooks. The entries will be available for tasting and People’s Choice judging for a $10 pass.

“Barbeque competitors will have an opportunity to win cash prizes and trophies in pork, beef, chicken and rib categories, plus the People’s Choice prizes,” said Shannon Price, Fine Arts Institute in-house staff person for the event.

“More than $10,000 in prize money will be awarded at the completion of the festival at 2:30 p.m.”

In addition to the aromas of barbeque, world-class music will be drifting across Hafer Park as all the senses will be satisfied at the all-generations family event Memorial weekend.

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. fiddler Kyle Dillingham will showcase his speed, precision and endless love of music on his violin, Hancuff said.

“Dillingham has played in over two dozen countries and even with his widespread demand, he scheduled to perform for the Fine Arts Institute at the RQ&B festival,” Hancuff said.

Music will include blues, rock ’n’ roll, country and other popular genres and Saturday, prior to Dillingham’s performance, The Way composed of professional musicians playing guitar, keyboard and drums with singers will be entertaining.

 Pianist Matt Schinske will be joined by a bass player and drummer, and from 1:20-2:20 p.m. Oklahoma guitarist Edgar Cruz will perform.  

Cruz has performed more than 200 concerts annually and has played throughout America, Europe and South America.

“Kids can paint their own clay piggy banks, have their faces painted by funny man Lawrence Grech, interact with the star of Juggle Whatever, enjoy video games and purchase yummy food,” Hancuff said.

Members of the Oklahoma Corvette Club will sponsor an exhibit of muscle cars during the day’s activities.

In addition to Mixer, event sponsors include RNH Construction, the Edmond Convention and Visitors Bureau, the OK Pork Council, Chesapeake Energy, Kirkpatrick Bank, MidFirst Bank, Cactus Drilling Co., RedSky Land, Mathis Brothers, Edward Jones, Capitol Abstract, T&S Web, Baxter Electric, KFOR, Zeal Designs and Vital Signs of Edmond.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond, a 26-year-old, nonprofit arts organization at 27 E. Edwards. Year-round art-related classes are available for all ages and all stages. For more information call 340-4481 or visit www.rhythmqsandblues.com and www.edmondfinearts.com.



pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171