Jazz Fest After Dark = cool nights + hot music + FREE!
You are probably aware that there has been a jazz festival in Jacksonville in some form or other since 1981 (first, Mayport, now Jacksonville Jazz Fest). This year’s festival returns again May 22-24.
But how about all of you festival-goers who like a little more diversity and music past 10 PM? Who is going to fill your needs?
It turns out that the Jazz Fest After Dark organizers have you in mind. They have put together a remarkable program on the same days – after that other festival packs it in for the night. Jazz Fest After Dark will return to downtown Jacksonville for its third time, with a goal of doubling attendance by building on early success and positive feedback from venues and participants.
Utilizing an expanded footprint, the event is set to boast nine official host venues and more than sixty acts and, for the first time, host its own parties in otherwise vacant spaces throughout the weekend.
“We started Jazz Fest After Dark because we wanted to give Jazz Fest attendees a reason to stay downtown after the last acts of the day wrapped up,” said Jazz Fest After Dark founder Jason Huckleberry Lewis. “Following the success our venues experienced in 2014, and an increase in interest from attendees, we’re focusing in year three on giving festival attendees even more reasons to return to the core and explore all that downtown Jacksonville has to offer.”
Headline acts will include Felix Peikli, award-winning trombonist Steve Swell, Jacksonville’s own Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, and Inspection-12, who will perform in downtown Jacksonville for the first time in over fifteen years. Others in this amazing line-up include the Parker Urban Band, Herd of Watts and Squeedlepuss, all of whom just had tremendous sets at the Orange Blossom Jamboree. Lucky Costello, Greenhouse Lounge and Sir Charles are more acts you have seen often at fests such as Bear Creek, AURA and Purple Hatter’s Ball.
Venues will include 1904 Music Hall, Burro Bar, Hourglass, Karpeles Manuscript Library, The Parlour at Grape & Grain Exchange, Rain Dogs, Underbelly, The Volstead, and Downtown Cigar Lounge. Jazz Fest After Dark will program these stages each night following Jazz Fest from 10 PM until 2 AM, and entry will remain free.
So, let’s review:
After Dark, so it’s not hot (music – yes; temperature – no)
60 bands and performers of all descriptions
Nine different venues
Album cover might be best festival poster ever!
FREE! (Did we mention FREE?)
You can’t afford NOT to go!
Photos courtesy of Joey Pye / Staged Right Photography and Design / MusicFestNews
For more information, visit jazzfestafterdark.com.
