Soul Country Music Festival returns to the Autry with movie night and national finals

The Soul Country Music & Culture Festival returns Oct. 31-Nov. 1 to the Autry Museum in Los Angeles with live music, wellness programming, a Black classic film screening and the Soul Country Music Star National Finals. Proceeds benefit the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, and the event also doubles as an early voting location for the November 3 election.

Why it matters: - The festival is built around the crossover between soul and country music, while also bringing together live entertainment, wellness resources and community programming. - Proceeds will support the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, tying the weekend’s entertainment to a charitable mission. - The event lands during Halloween weekend and at the same time as early voting at the Autry, adding civic access to the festival’s community focus.

What happened: - Soul Country Music Star will present the Soul Country Music & Culture Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park. - Wade & Associates Group is producing the festival in partnership with the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and Radio Free 102.3 KJLH. - The weekend will feature the Soul Country Music Star National Finals, a Black Classic Movie Night, live music, dancing, food, shopping, wellness activities and family programming. - The festival will screen Vampire in Brooklyn, starring Eddie Murphy, during a Saturday night outdoor movie event.

The details: - Saturday’s program opens the marketplace at 5:30 p.m. and starts the film screening at 7:30 p.m. - Saturday’s lineup also includes live music, food trucks, shopping, a health pavilion, line dancing, a costume contest, family-friendly Halloween activities and museum tours. - The health pavilion will provide resources on cancer awareness, domestic violence awareness and mental health awareness. - Sunday’s program runs from noon to 6 p.m., with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. - The Soul Country Music Star National Finals are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by live music and dancing from 3 to 6 p.m. - Six national finalists will compete for a $10,000 grand prize and a spot on the 2027 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour. - Regional winners advancing to the finals include Silas Reed IV of Memphis, Brenda Guy of Dallas-Fort Worth, Glenn Stanton of Los Angeles and Jacqueline Merrill of Atlanta. - One wildcard finalist will come from the city runners-up, and one finalist will be selected through the National Online Competition. - Artists can apply for the online competition through Oct. 5 at soulcountrymusic.com. - The festival will take place on the lawn at the Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027. - Tickets, vendor information and sponsorship details are available through the festival website, by email at info@soulcountrymusic.com or by phone at (323) 440-4600. - Guests can use promo code SAVE5 for $5 off tickets while the offer remains available.

Between the lines: - The addition of Black Classic Movie Night expands the festival beyond a music competition into a broader cultural weekend. - The wellness pavilion and awareness programming suggest the event is trying to blend celebration with practical community outreach. - The Autry location gives the festival a visible public setting in Los Angeles, which may help draw both families and local voters already coming to the museum. - Margo Wade LaDrew, founder and executive producer of Soul Country Music Star, framed the weekend as a celebration of artists, traditions and community connections, and said the movie night gives guests another way to engage with the festival.

What's next: - The National Online Competition remains open through Oct. 5. - Early in-person voting at the Autry runs Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Election Day voting at the Autry runs Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Current election information is available at L.A. County voting information. - The festival will continue to build toward the 2027 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour, where the national winner will perform.

The bottom line: - The Soul Country Music & Culture Festival is positioning itself as a music competition, community gathering and wellness event all in one weekend.