There’s nothing local businessman Bruce Lewis likes better than a successful event. He’s been watching the resurgence of the Old Northwood section of West Palm Beach and he thinks the same thing could happen in the area around Tamarind Avenue. So when the community asked him to get behind a new festival designed to bring people back to Tamarind, he couldn’t wait to get started.

Lewis combines contagious enthusiasm and a get-it-done mentality with superior leadership and organizational skills. He served in Mayor Lois Frankel’s Cabinet, set a record for the most funds raised in a year at the United Way, been the chairman of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County, and on the board of the Downtown Development Authority for more than a decade.

The City of West Palm Beach CRA and the Northwest Community Consortium Inc. joined forces with the Northwest Neighborhood to host the first annual Heart & SoulFest, and Lewis is proud to say, “Welcome to Tamarind.”

Here are three reasons to go:

The entertainment. The music lineup features local favorites — and the house band at BB King’s in CityPlace — the BB King All Star Band. Pocket Change, a South Florida band that draws a good crowd at Clematis by Night with its Motown, funk and R&B offerings, also performs. DJ-KLove, Silver Star Steel Drum Orchestra and Elite Soul Line Dancing of PBC are also on tap.

The food. No soul fest would be complete without soul food, and you’ll find it here, Lewis says. “Sisters in the Pot make the best conch fritters. I am hooked!” he laughs.

The activities. Activities include a photo shoot station, a kids’ zone, family obstacle course contest, arts and craft vendors, line-dancing demonstrations and a few surprise performances. CBS Radio B106.3FM and PB Broadcasting X102.3 FM will broadcast live.