Monica, Durham Bimbé Festival headliner, says she was never contacted about festival

Controversy impacted the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival Saturday in Durham, as organizers said the headliner, Monica, would not be in attendance for the event.

Despite announcements from organizers that Monica would be headlining the event, Monica shared on social media that she will not be in attendance -- and that she was never even booked.

"Unfortunately, they are sharing that I was booked to perform today, which is absolutely untrue and impossible," she said. "I am about to perform here in Rochester and tomorrow I'll be in Baltimore."

Monica says she was never booked for the festival - but says she would have loved the opportunity.

"I want to personally apologize to anyone attending the Bimbé Festival, assuming I would be there or reading that I would be there," She said.

Durham Parks and Recreation responded to the incident on Saturday morning, saying they had been working with a trusted booking agent who had given them the impression since January 19 -- and then reaffirmed on Feb. 9 -- that arrangements had been secured for Monica to appear.

"I never like to cancel, [but] that's not what this is," she said on Instagram. "I was never contacted."

Durham's Mayor Leonardo Williams says in its 50 year's of existence, Bimbé has never had this happen before. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Anthony Middleton told WRAL News that the county is still "chasing down the facts."

"Folks should know, first of all, we're a city. We've got a lot of smart people who work for us," he said. "We're not out a bunch of money {and] we're going to get any money we've spent back."

The Durham Parks and Recreation Department provided the following statement on its Facebook page.

"We are deeply disappointed with this turn of events and are working fervently to determine how this happened. We sincerely apologize to guests who attend Bimbe, and enjoy our festival. Despite this setback, Bimbe will still proceed as planned today, with a lineup filled with exceptionally talented regional performers. We also look forward to honoring two special individuals with the Homegrown Hero award as part of today's festivities and hope that you will join us in embracing the spirit of Bimbe."

Williams says he's working with city staff to get to the bottom of where the miscommunication occurred.

"Evidently there are two representatives speaking on behalf of Monica. The City of Durham has a contract with her team and the staff are working these matters out," Williams said in a statement.