The Art of Cool Festival

The Art of Cool Festival Art of Cool Festival (AOCFEST) is a progressive jazz and alternative soul music festival located in downtown Durham. We pitched for our Festival idea.
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The goal of this program is to expand the audience for jazz-influenced music. History

On the third Friday of August 2011 Al Strong Quartet+1 performed at the first After Hours Concert at LabourLove Gallery to a standing room only crowd. This performance was to provide the local jazz musicians with a unique venue space to hold private concerts. It was also a chance to infuse visual arts with the l

ive jazz concerts as Kelly Dew did live painting during the performance. Given the success of the first concert LabourLove Gallery continued to provide the musical and visual art experience through the remainder of the year. On November 9, 2011 The Art of Cool Project (AOCP) was incorporated as a nonprofit entity. The founders of AOCP decided that the concert series could be the foundation for an area jazz and art presenting organization. The AOCP resolved to present at least 1 monthly concert featuring a variety of local musicians ranging across idioms. Since its inaugural concert in August the AOCP quickly gained a reputation of standing room only concerts hosted at LabourLove Gallery at Golden Belt in downtown Durham, NC. The AOCP has been described as “a strong addition to Durham’s bubbling music and art community.” (Eric Tullis – The Vinyl District, Chapel Hill, NC)

In the summer of 2012 Art of Cool completed Startup Stampede 3.0 and became the first nonprofit to complete Startup Stampede. This is a big achievement that is sponsored by the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Durham Inc., We are the winners of the Pitch Challenge sponsored by Pruvop. The AOCP has been described as “a ripe Triangle jazz advocacy organization…curating snazzy nightlife options for area listeners.” (Eric Tullis - IndyWeek.com). The AOCP has featured the area’s best local talent and regional talent. After an amazing inaugural launch on April 25-26, 2014 Art of Cool Fest (AOCFEST) is making a splash onto both the local and regional music scene, as well as gaining national attention. Over the weekend, AOCFEST hosted over 3500 music lovers and approximately 40 bands on eight stages in downtown Durham, North Carolina.

05/17/2020

House Heads!

It’s the Sunday House Mix with DJ Mike Todd today from 2-4pm!

2pm today on Art of Cool Radio!The Soulful House Mix w/DJ Mike Todd.Download the app, grab a mimosa and tune in.🎶🎧Downlo...
05/03/2020

2pm today on Art of Cool Radio!
The Soulful House Mix w/DJ Mike Todd.
Download the app, grab a mimosa and tune in.🎶🎧

Download: AOC Radio

We hope that all of our Art of Cool family is safe and well. Please read our response to the current situation: ...
03/18/2020

We hope that all of our Art of Cool family is safe and well. Please read our response to the current situation:




























10/15/2019

We’ve talked about some of the most memorable moments from , but there is one that stands alone and will stand the test of time. It had been more than 30 years since and inductees had been to NC, and Art of Cool 2019 brought them back! They came to the stage that night with festival goers and performers side by side in the audience to witness this historic moment and and did not disappoint! Check out a few images from this once in a lifetime performance!

















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10/11/2019

A lot of us have been at the show where it seems like everyone knows the words to a song but you, but doesn’t it feel good when you’re going word-for-word on one of your jams?? Ask anyone who was at on Saturday night when Whodini started in on “One Love” or “Friends”, and they can tell you what it feels like! The 2nd night of the festival was packed with icons, and Whodini definitely rocked the crowd!

















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10/11/2019

Diva, Icon, Sister, Jilly from Philly, or simply Jill Scott. Anyway you say it, our love for this one of a kind talent is deep and real. The warmth and love we shared when she ascended to the stage is a memory none of us who were there will soon forget. Enjoy these images from this year’s Festival Headliner, Jill Scott!

















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10/10/2019

The only hard part of this is figuring out which artists to reminisce about! Let’s start with the 1st Lady of , Ari Lennox. If you missed her performance...well, you just need to ask somebody who was there. Thank you, Ari for such a great experience!















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10/09/2019

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been less than two weeks since we took over Durham for ! The weekend was full of unforgettable performances and we want to share some of the best images with you! Let’s start close to home. By the time Yolanda Rabun finished BLAZING the main stage with her 🔥🔥🔥set, we knew this year was going to be incredible! We had barely caught our breath when Marcus Anderson came through and blew us away. Once we left DBAP, 9th Wonder was waiting at Durham Armory to take the party to another level. What were your favorite Art of Cool moments from that first night? Keep watching our feed for more great memories from this year’s festivities!
















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10/01/2019

What a weekend! From Keeping It Cool with Blue Cross NC to the Kickoff to College Tour with APlus Test Prep to the 2 incredible days of music, food and fun and the great finish at our VIP Sunday Brunch, we want to thank all of our sponsors. Your participation and partnership was a huge part of making Art of Cool a success. For all of us at , thank you, and we’ll see you next year!
Art of Cool is sponsored by:


GoDurham
Bedlam Vodka
Come Hear North Carolina
Long Beverage Craft
Provident1898
American To***co Campus
WRAL TV
North Carolina Education Lottery
Art of Cool VIP Brunch sponsored by:
Coastal Credit Union
Johnson Lexus of Durham
Johnson Lexus of Raleigh
Watered Garden Florist
Durham Convention Center
Michael Eric Dyson @ Art of Cool is sponsored by:
TowneBank
Philos Project
Art of Cool Urban Vendor Market sponsored by:
M&F Bank
Special thanks to:
Bossip.com
Cassius Mag

09/29/2019

The list of what you’re missing at is long, but THIS is at the top of that list! Thousands of fans will never forget being in the house the night Run DMC took the stage in NC for the first time in 30 years! With a concert this 🔥🔥, you KNOW the after party is going to be next level!!

Address

Durham, NC
27701

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

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