Bimbe Festival to kick off in Durham as the city continues to collect 2024 Monica booking funds
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival has been a Bull City staple for more than five decades, celebrating African and African American culture through music, food and community.
The 2026 festival and 56th event is moving forward without a hitch, even as the city continues recovering money tied to the 2024 Monica booking controversy, organizers tell ABC11.
Inside CocoCrissi Tropical Icees in Durham, 17-year-old Jameson McIver carefully demonstrated the process of making homemade New York-style Italian ice.
"So you get your three pounds measured out," he explained while preparing ingredients behind the counter.
McIver, the owner's nephew, said one key ingredient helps keep the frozen treat smooth.
"This is stabaleez," he said. "It helps the ice stay nice and creamy and not get too crystalized."
CocoCrissi travels to festivals across the country, but Durham remains home base. This year marks the company's 18th year participating in Bimbe, where they'll once again serve their signature Italian ice to festivalgoers.
The festival lineup also includes local talent, including Durham-based DJ Gemynii, who describes herself as more than just a DJ.
"I like to refer to myself as a vibe curator," she said. "I'll be at Bimbe from 4 to 4:30 deep in what I like to call my auntie bag."
According to the city, DJ Gemynii is only the second woman to DJ the festival in the last 20 years.
"A lot of times when people think about DJs, they tend to think about men or males," she said. "I love showing people that women can also be great curators of sound."
Organizers say the free, family-friendly festival at Rock Quarry Park will feature more than 30 vendors, along with Southern and Caribbean-inspired food, live music and cultural performances.
"We're going to have over 30 vendors there selling all different types of items," said Anthony Giudice with Durham Parks and Recreation. "We're going to have Southern and Caribbean food flavors there."
Still, memories of the 2024 controversy involving R&B singer Monica continue to follow the event.
Two years ago, the city paid booking agent Christopher Weeks $37,000 for Monica to headline the festival. But Monica never showed up and later publicly denied any involvement, statin on social media that she was never contacted or contracted.
At the time, Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams pledged the city would "get every brown penny back."
The Durham City Attorney's Office told ABC11 that Weeks has repaid $24,200 so far, but still owes an outstanding balance of $12,800, which he continues to pay down. Despite the controversy, organizers say excitement surrounding this year's festival remains high.
Hip Hop legend Doug E. Fresh is scheduled to headline Saturday's event.
"Doug E. Fresh is scheduled to come on at 6 p.m.," Giudice said. "So be there to catch the hip-hop legend himself...the original human beatbox."
The Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival runs Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rock Quarry Park. Organizers expect nearly 10,000 people to attend.
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