cultural arts
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Durham Parks and Recreation’s 53rd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival this Saturday

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

Durham, NC – Durham’s favorite family-friendly cultural arts festival will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2023, and will offer an immersive experience for attendees of all ages. Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival has been a Durham summertime tradition for over 50 years. Bimbé, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in Partnership with Durham Parks and Recreation, attracts over 10,000 attendees annually. 

This year’s festival celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a genre that has transcended boundaries, inspired generations, and revolutionized the music industry. This momentous occasion marks five decades of artistic innovation, social commentary, and the global impact of hip-hop culture. With such an extraordinary line-up, the 53rd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival promises to be the ultimate hip-hop celebration of the summer in the Bull City. Attendees can look forward to legendary performances from KRS-One, Petey Pablo, Mr. Cheeks, and Intro, one of the ’90s most talented R&B trio. 

Families are encouraged to come out and enjoy Bimbé’s exciting Family Fun Zone. It features engaging activities, including drum circles, arts and crafts, traditional storytelling sessions, inflatables, a video game truck, and face painting, among other attractions. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 53rd Anniversary of the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival,” said DPR Festival Organizer Kristin Perez. “This year’s festival promises to be an incredible experience for families and individuals alike as we pay homage to African and African American culture and celebrate 50 years of hip-hop through art, music, food, and community engagement. We are most excited about our diverse line-up of both national and local hip-hop talent.”

From a community block party to a curated hip-hop cipher to a teen pool party, Bimbe kicks off with FREE weekday celebrations sponsored by Duke Energy. Check out the Bimbé Weekday Events page for information on all the events happening today (May 31) through June 2.

Seating will not be provided at the festival and participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Additionally, the following items are prohibited at the festival: coolers; smoking; alcohol; personal canopies/tents; and pets. Visit DPRPlayMore.org for more pertinent information about attending the festival.  

For more information about the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival and to stay updated on the latest news and announcements, please visit dprplaymore.org and follow Durham Parks and Recreation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @DPRPlayMore.

About Durham Parks and Recreation

Durham Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for the Durham community to Play More by connecting our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning. To learn more about Durham Parks and Recreation, visit us online, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call (919) 560-4355.