BlendFest

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Gather up all the great food, tasty spirits, local art, and live music—and just toss it in the blender why don't you, so said the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana for their two-day fundraiser extravaganza, Blendfest. 

Saturday will kick off with Juleps & Jazz, where patrons will have the perfect excuse to don the biggest, most obtrusive hat they can find, sip on Mint Derby Cocktails, and tour the historic King Stubbs-Horne House (1608 N 5th St.)—all against the obligatory background of the 145th Kentucky Derby. Prominent area chefs will prepare a decadent spread of cuisine and beverages, and the Louisiana Jazz Quartet will perform under the Horne House Pool Cabana.  4 pm–6:30 pm.

Plenty of time to sleep in on Sunday before the Blend of the Bayou block party at 2110 Island Drive. Prominent area professionals and businessmen will be present to prepare and serve Blend guests a brilliant array of food and beverages. Among them are some of the original volunteers from Blend of the Bayou's debut arts fundraising event in 1997. This year's party gets a Mexican twist as it coalesces with Cinco de Mayo, featuring Mexican dishes and a Mariachi band. 5 pm–7 pm. 

Singles tickets to each event are $55, $100 for couples; Weekend pass is $100 singles, $195 couples at bontempstix.com. More information at mymso.org/blendfest.