The East Stage is located at University Avenue. For more information on locations, go to our Maps page under the Home tab.
2022 East Stage Schedule
2022 East Stage Entertainment
Read a little more about acts coming to the #CDAF2022 East Stage before the festival!
Georgia and Kayla
Kayla Marie (a.k.a. Lady in Red) Dancer/Choreographer/Beat Poet
Kayla Marie, a.k.a. Lady in Red, is a professional dancer, choreographer, and beat poet originally from Brookhaven, MS. She currently resides in Starkville, MS. Kayla Marie is the owner, artistic director, dance instructor at KMG Creations Dance, Fitness, Productions and the Center of Creative Arts. When she is not traveling, she teaches private dance/fitness lessons to children and adults. Kayla Marie is writer, director and starring in a new upcoming show for kids entitled The Learning Train with Kayla Marie and Friends. This show is filled with live interactive dancing and learning. Kayla Marie, a.k.a. Lady in Red dance skills are explosive, have a special touch, and will leave the audience amazed with her live performance! With over 20 years’ experience as a background dancer in the music industry, she has performed with many artists and appeared on national television. Ballet, African, hip-hop, modern, and liturgical, to name a few, are among her dance styles. She caught the attention of Two Time Award Grammy-winning blues living legend Bobby Rush. She was immediately taken under his mentorship and was requested to (dance) perform with Bobby Rush. She also has worked with many other musical award-winning artists such as legendary Jeff Floyd, Big Mucci, Cadillac Man, Dr. Robert Damm, African drummer Ekpe Abioto, Percussionist and Jazz artist Adib Sabir and Band, Robert “The Duke” Tillman, and many more. Her performances are highly requested, but she only appears on rare occasions. Her stage presence is always complemented by a touch of RED, which has earned her the nickname “the Lady in Red.” Among her greatest artistic influences are James Brown, Bobby Rush, Debbie Allen, Beyonce, and Shakira. As a beat poet, Kayla Marie brings poetry to life through live music. Kayla’s first live beat poetry performance was at Dave's Dark Horse Taven's singer-songwriter night in 2017. Her dance performance and beat poetic performance is one of a kind. Zac Ashmore, djembe player, harmonist, and singer will be providing the tunes for her solo performances. Kayla Marie a.k.a. Lady in Red can be booked at www.kmgcreationdfp.com. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13. |
Singer/Songwriter Competition Winners
(Kaciny Emile, Owen Anderson, Kolt Hudson)
Owen Anderson Owen is a Franklin, TN native that brings an authentic approach to the modern country and folk genre. His sound is a fresh take on southern story telling. This year, he has been working on a catalog of original music that he’s excited to debut in coming months. |
Pom Tetty
Pom Tetty is an acoustic duo comprised of Philip Poe (guitar, vocals) and Jeremy Rogerson (mandolin, fashion). The duo have been friends for 30 years and have been making music together for much of that time. Featuring both covers and originals, the group covers lots of musical ground, from rock, to pop, to country and funk across the last five decades. If you can think of a song that shouldn't be played on bluegrass instruments, Pom Tetty probably covers it. And if you're wondering about the name, well, Tom Petty was already taken.
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MSU Black Voices
Black Voices is a group of Mississippi State University students committed to reverencing and worshiping Jesus Christ through the ministry of music. This year, they are celebrating their 50th year of singing the Lord’s praises. Within these 50 years, students have been servants to the community and have worked hard to do what they love for who they love. Everything they do is a reflection of their motto and purpose:
To praise and not to perform, To exalt and not to entertain, For service and not for show, This is why we sing, To the glory of his name! |
AJ and the VIBE
AJ & the VIBE was started back in May of 2021. Played for different people and one day decided to do the exact same thing but put my name I'm front of it. Called a few guys Shaun, Bill, Stepahno, and bland and we started. While later came along two other awesome musicians Troy and Q. We kept playing together and now we're almost two years locked in. AJ &THE VIBE.
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Blue Talk
With members hailing from the sister states of Mississippi and Alabama, Blue Talk is one of the south’s hottest up and coming party-funk bands. With a pocket so tight you couldn’t fit a flea, Blue Talk boasts bodacious riff-work that would make funk’s forefathers proud. Currently based out of Atlanta, this quartet oozes mojo reminiscent to the late greats of the 1970s, all while laying down infectious grooves that are undeniably their own. Blue Talk brings a high energy show that will leave you with a beat in your step and a shake to your rump as they dip in and out of party vibes and soothing soul grooves. Blue Talk is FUNK for all ages.
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