Musical Performers to Include Mary J. Blige, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, Tems, Lucky Daye, Chloë, and More
Single-Day Tickets to Houston’s most anticipated event of the year are available now starting at $95 on HoneylandFestival.com
Two-day festival celebrating the best of Black food, beverage and music creativity announces programming filled with award-winning musical guests, renowned chefs and mixologists, and rising culinary stars
Honeyland Festival recently announced additional star-studded names to its all-star culinary lineup, to complement an assortment of iconic musicians set to perform throughout the weekend including Mary J. Blige, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Top chefs, mixologists and culinary stars like Kelis, LeToya Luckett, Tracie Franklin, Toni Tipton-Martin and more will all be in attendance on November 11 & 12 at The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land, just outside of Houston, TX, to celebrate black expression through food, beverage, music and art. Single-day General Admission ($95), GA+ ($140) and VIP passes ($295) are onsale now. Fans can purchase tickets at HoneylandFestival.com.
General admission pass holders receive full access to the festival grounds to view the full slate of musical performances on the Beats Stage and great views of the Eats & Sips Stage to watch expertly curated workshops by leading culinary talent. GA+ ticket holders will be able to enjoy the shaded GA+ lounge equipped with exclusive bathrooms and dedicated bar areas.
VIP and Platinum pass holders will have access to the VIP Lounge, a dedicated space brimming with elevated experiences including bars featuring specialty drinks, exclusive up-close mixology sessions and engaging conversations with culinary experts across the country. Platinum ticket holders will receive samples of on-stage culinary creations.
Two Days of Epic Musical Performances Create the Sweet Soundtrack of Honeyland
The Beats Stage at Honeyland features some of the biggest icons and hottest performers in music today. Saturday’s stage will feature headliner and R&B sensation Miguel as well as performances by two-time Grammy-award winner Jazmine Sullivan, Houston-native Tobe Nwigwe, Chloe, Spinall, Jae Murphy, Inayah and Dende.
Sunday’s headliner is the nine-time Grammy-award winner Mary J. Blige with additional performances throughout the day featuring Grammy-award winner Tems, Lucky Daye, Coco Jones, Lenora, DJ Mr. Rogers, Tay Powers and the HTX All-Stars featuring Scarface, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Z-Ro and Lil Keke. The Beats Stage will be hosted by Kiotti and Keisha Nicole.
All-Star Culinary Lineup will Highlight the Best in Culinary, Cocktails, and Culture
The Eats and Sips stage, hosted by Kalen Allen and LeToya Luckett, promises exceptional food and beverage demonstrations, thrilling culinary competitions and captivating conversations curated by food and beverage curators Marcus Samuelsson and Fawn Weaver.
On Saturday, curators Marcus Samuelsson and Fawn Weaver are teaming up with mega-media platform Earn Your Leisure for a deep-dive into what it’s like to be a Black entrepreneur while newly added talent Sommelier-At-Large André Hueston Mack joins a conversation on wine and hip-hop with Jermaine Stone.
Wrapping the day’s festivities will be a delicious multi-course dinner seating with superstar and chef Kelis with delightful organic ingredients.
On Sunday, attendees will get an up-close look to see the magic of Bun B’s Trill Burgers come to life with a special cooking demo with the hip-hop legend himself while he discusses his Houston roots and newly announced Touré Folkes pairs a perfect cocktail for the hit smash burger.
Bun B will also join DJ EFN and legendary Queens rapper N.O.R.E. as they take to the Eats and Sips stage for a special 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop conversation to discuss how far the genre has come and its impact on the country.
“Food is a universal language that brings people together,” said Kelis, singer and chef. “The culture and history of food throughout the Black diaspora are central to who we are as a people. I am looking forward to joining my fellow chefs this fall as we curate an unforgettable experience for everyone at Honeyland to enjoy.”
“Black people have laid the foundation for many of the spirits we enjoy today, such as whiskey and rum,” said Tracie Franklin, whiskey educator and distiller. “Our contributions to the world of spirits and beverages are too often minimized or erased, and Honeyland’s commitment to showcasing the world’s Best black distillers, mixologists, and more is a necessary reminder and celebration of our influence.”
A select list of culinary programming by day can be found below and the full list of culinary programming is available at HoneylandFestival.com.
Saturday
Earn Your Legacy with Marcus Samuelsson and Fawn Weaver: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, creators of the revolutionary media platform Earn Your Leisure, go deep with Honeyland curators Marcus Samuelsson and Fawn Weaver in a game-changing conversation about the hidden responsibilities of black-owned businesses and a checklist for how entrepreneurs can start up and stay up!
Eats, Beats and Rum Punch with Keisha Griggs, Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Ian Burrell: This Afro-Caribbean Cooking Demonstration will showcase flavors created by Houston-based culinary talent Keisha Griggs and Guyana born, Austin native, chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph as they demo treats from the Caribbean with a twist in a way only our culture can cultivate. Ian Burrell, founder of Equiano Rum will pair our Caribbean treats with his amazing take on the island delight, as he creates an Equiano Rum cocktail.
The Original Wine & Hip Hop with Jermaine Stone and André Hueston Mack: This interactive experience features Jermaine Stone, Host of Wine & Hip Hop and Sommelier-At-Large, André Hueston Mack bring the vibes as they taste different types of Black Owned wines inspired by songs chosen by the audience.
Keeping it Gullah Geechee with Kardea Brown and Josh Davis: Celebrating the rich heritage of the Gullah people who are known for preserving their West African culture, Honeyland hosts Food Network chef and South Carolina native, Kardea Brown as she creates a traditional Gullah-style dish with Brown & Balanced Founder, Josh Davis who is notorious for his black bar pop up experiences. It’s giving Low Country and High-key fun.
Celebrity Chef Mash Up with Brandon “Big B The Chef” Tiffith and Chef Tiffany Derry: During this headliner cooking demo, celebrity chefs TDE’s Big B The Chef and Tiffany Derry will create delicious dishes inspired by their many celebrity clients. Spirits educator and acclaimed author, Shannon Mustipher will create a signature cocktail using the black-owned, award-winning Tequila 13.
Farm to Feast with Kelis and Saeed “Hawk” House: Honeyland delivers this multi-course pairing experience designed to wow the palette of our Festival foodies. We will host an exclusive dinner seating featuring megastar and chef Kelis alongside Saeed “Hawk” House, everyone’s favorite celebrity bartender, preparing a 4-course dinner that intersects organic ingredients with a delightful twist. Tickets for the dinner seating are $189.
Brothers Gonna Work It Out with Chris and Ben Williams in the VIP Lounge: Brothers Chris and Ben Williams, co-owners of Lucille’s, host a cooking demo where Chris unveils culinary secrets while Ben, of Texas’ first black-owned distillery, Highway Vodka, creates a perfect complimentary cocktail.
Sunday
H-Town’s Got Something To Say with Dawn Burrell: Houston’s finest and Top Chef alum, Dawn Burrell will dominate the stage with a surprise pairing of one of her Houston-inspired faves.
Let’s Get Wavy with Ghetto Gastro & The McBride Sisters: Global mainstays of food and culture, Ghetto Gastro with Global Wine juggernauts the McBride Sisters deliver the perfect pairing in a Sunday Funday demo featuring Gastro’s Wavy Waffle and Pancake recipe and Honeyland exclusive Oakland 75 from the McBride Sisters’ collection.
Home Grown: From Farm to Table with Indy Officinalis: Urban farmer and Nat Geo star Indy Indy Officinalis hosts six student chefs as they compete in a mystery basket challenge using ingredients from Houston Independent School District’s Mykawa Farms. Surprise guest judges will join Indy to evaluate the students’ culinary skills and dishes.
All the Way Up with Angela Yee & Tabitha Brown featuring Keyatta Mincey Parker: Get ready to get all the good tea with nationally syndicated radio personality and podcast host, Angela Yee as she chats it up with actress and award-winning media and vegan food personality, Tabitha Brown. This is giving Girls Night ‘In’ featuring garden-inspired cocktails by famed mixologist Keyatta Mincey Parker as they dish on Life, Love and Legacy.
Chopped & Screwed: Trill Burgers with Bun B and Touré Folkes: Attendees will get a front-row seat to see the magic of Bun B’s Trill Burgers. During this demo, Bun B’s Chef Mike Pham will create the infamous Trill Burger, while Bun B discusses his Houston roots, pivoting from music to culinary, and more. Executive Director of the diversity platform Turning Tables, Touré Folkes creates a Hi Ball Cocktail using Uncle Nearest to complete the pairing.
Hip Hop 50 Drink Champs at Honeyland: “We Never Thought Hip Hop Would Make It This Far featuring Bun B, Kelis and Ghetto Gastro: 2023 is the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. For such a historical moment, we are celebrating with the self-proclaimed “most professional, unprofessional podcast” Drink Champs feat. Hip Hop and H-Town’s finest Bun B, musician turned chef Kelis, and the BX’s wavy trio, Ghetto Gastro.
Honey Brunch Day Party Fueled by Martell Cognac: Join host Courtney Adeleye of the Cool Coffee Clique as she guides us on culinary collisions designed to deliver joy to the mind, body & soul. Steve Rogers of Bar 5015 and Robert Wright, co-owners of The Warwick and Prospect Park, are teaming up with Chef Jabril Riddick to curate a party for the palette including brunch favorites, custom cocktails by Martell Blue Swift, the world’s first V.S.O.P. cognac finished in American whiskey barrels, and a DJ to keep us floating on high vibrations only. Tickets start at $69.
All Black Everything: A Sip + Stir Conversation on Building Black Spirits Brands with Jackie Summers and Colin Asare-Appiah in the VIP Lounge: During this conversation, colleagues and friends Sorel founder, Jackie Summers and spirits executive Colin Asare-Appiah talk about black ownership in both production and distribution in the beverage industry.
