Mash it up: DJ battle added to westside festival

APPLESAUCE GROUP

The eighth annual A Vibe Called Fresh festival returns with staples like roller skating, local art and food vendors as well as the first DJ battle for the Applesauce Group Westside World Wide championship besl.

A westside street festival has a fresh addition.

The eighth annual A Vibe Called Fresh on Sept. 20 from 1-7 p.m., will include Mashup Madness, a three-round DJ competition with some of Charlotte’s best telling stories through music mixes, and transitions in front of a panel of judges. 

Competitors for the Applesauce Group Westside World Wide championship belt are:

• B-Man, a classic hip-hop lover whose sample transitions have earned endorsements from Questlove of The Roots, Grandmaster Flash and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

• DJ Diesel, whose high-energy sets are popular among HBCU partygoers.

• DJ Fannie Mae, co-founder of Sainted Trap Choir and Charlotte FC’s official DJ. Her sets have been seen by millions online and led to appearances on “America’s Got Talent” and Super Bowl LVIII.

Round one starts at 2 p.m., followed by the second at 4 p.m., and the finale at 6 p.m. 

“This is another step in proving that ‘Westination Charlotte’ is a place where creative and cultural innovation thrives,” said Winston Robinson, founder and executive director of Applesauce Group, the festival’s nonprofit founder. “We’ve hosted symphonies, live visual art battles, and cultural exchange jams. Now we’re adding a competitive twist to show how DJs – storytellers of the culture – can take us on a journey through music in a way that feels fresh, fun, and deeply connected to our community.”

The free festival includes skating and free rentals, karaoke, food and small business vendors, local art and a spades contest.

Other attractions include:

• Food vendors serving up the best plates in the city

• The second annual Tommie Robinson Invitational, a live paint visual art battle curated by Ricky Singh

• Community partners offering empowering tools and services)

• Local small businesses showcase of goods and creativity

• Family-friendly contests and creativity activations

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