IT’S NEW! IT’S EXCITING! IT’S IN MARSHALL!
IT’S FREE!
SWING JAZZ FESTIVAL: JULY 20, 21, AND 22
By Jaryl Day
If you’d like a great weekend of professional music,
a great wood dance floor beneath a 40’ x 40’ tent, great
food and an ambience like none other, you need to be in Marshall, Michigan
on July 20, 21 and 22. It’s called “Swing, Jazz & Other
Stuff!!!” and it’s a FREE music festival of eleven professional
musical groups known throughout the United States.
Headliners The Four
Freshmen and Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band will be joined by
Dick Day’s SWING CITY, The Kalamazoo Big Band, New Superior Jazz
Band, The Paul Keller Orchestra, Richko/Keller/Siers Trio performing
A Tribute to Oscar Peterson, Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings, The Raisin
Pickers, Terry Lower Septet, and The Western Jazz Quartet. Offering fi
ne big band, swing, jazz and “other” professional musical
entertainment, this FREE festival is causing a lot of excitement. And
for those with blues in their blood, Marshall Main Street Blues Festival
will be going on downtown Marshall, Saturday, July 21.
“Swing,
Jazz & Other Stuff!!!” will be held in Marshall at the Frances
Stevens Stuart Band Shell at Stuart’s Landing overlooking the lovely
Kalamazoo River on Homer Road. South of Marshall’s fountain on
Old U.S. 27, the amber blinker light is the “cue” to turn
to the east… less than a mile on the left stands Stuart’s
Landing, one of the finest band shells around. Due to limited parking,
guests will have the opportunity of a short tour of Marshall; for a $1.00
fee, shuttles will be running from the Marshall High School Parking Lot
at 701 N Marshall Avenue. Park anywhere downtown Marshall, wander, shop
and eat, and meet the shuttle by the Library on Green Street (one block
south of the downtown district), or the Fairgrounds at Fair Street off
Marshall Avenue east and south of the downtown district (watch for signs)
where you can either catch a shuttle or walk to the Band Shell. Shuttle
schedule pending.
With an anticipated attendance of 4,000-6,000 people
from all over the United States, lodging reservations are already coming
in strong. Entertainment begins Friday at 2:00 p.m. running until 10:00
p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9:00
p.m. Watch Greater Guide Southwest Michigan’s July issue for the
full schedule or check the website. Bring your sunscreen, folding chairs
(folding chairs will be available to rent at the site on a limited basis)
or blankets; don’t forget dancing shoes and appetite. Food vendors,
Cornwell’s Turkeyville, Route 66 Diner, and Stevenson’s Speedy
Chick have prepared special menus for appetites big and small.
“Swing,
Jazz & Other Stuff!!!” is being produced by Jaryl Day (former
Portage native, “J” Smith), President of Live Music & Festivals,
Inc., a nonprofi t corporation, with the support of sponsors, donations
and grants.
For more information either check the website: www.jksmarketing.org and click onto SJOS, e-mail her at jks@jksmarketing.org, or call 269/501-2511.
Don’t miss one of the most exciting musical weekends around. “Swing,
Jazz & Other Stuff!!!”… Listen… Tap Your Toes… Dance… Enjoy
Marshall!!!
