Ethnic & Heritage fest opens Thursday
The 9th annual Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival opens next Thursday, with the event’s centerpiece free concert taking place Aug. 4.
The festival schedule:
Evening of Poetry — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, Alabama School of Mathematics & Science, 1255 Dauphin St., free. The festival’s popular opening event will feature “presentations from area spoken word artists with a pinch of competition thrown in for good measure” in the form of an open poetry slam. Additionally, the winner of a poetry contest related to the festival will be announced.
Jazz Workshop — 9:30 a.m. registration/10 a.m. start, Friday, Aug. 3, School of Math & Science, free. This event is designed to “introduce music lovers of any age to rudimentary jazz in a casual atmosphere and by using a variety of formats.” The focus is on teaching beginners to play their first notes in an amateur ensemble assisted by professional clinicians; but the event also is open to players of intermediate and better skill. Advance registration is recommended for groups of more than five people; to register, visit http://www.gcefjazzfest.com or call 473-5020.
Jazz in the Square — Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in Bienville Square. In addition to Andrews and the Coleman Orchestra, which honors the legacy of local educator E.B. Coleman, the show will feature three more acts: Atlanta-based sextet Jaspects; The Silver Wings Combo, an offshoot of the 98th Army Band; and an ensemble of local musicians who have participated in a festival program that brings clinicians into area schools.
Jazz Jam Session, 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, Gulf City Lodge, 601 State St., $7 admission. The festival’s traditional conclusion features a wealth of local players, often joined by some of the Saturday concert’s performers.
The Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival is put on by a nonprofit organization whose goals include “presenting jazz music in a professional, entertaining, family oriented venue and by encouraging young musicians to play jazz by educating and involving them in its history and future.”
For more information on the festival, visit www.gcehjazzfest.com or call 473-5020.
