This year's Jacksonville Jazz Festival will be like none before it. Not only will it be Memorial Day weekend, it's gone from the park to the streets. And it's going back to being free.
The performers won't be announced until next week at the earliest, but the city's Office of Special Events did provide more details.
For the first time since it moved from Mayport to Jacksonville in 1982, the festival will not be held in Metropolitan Park. Instead, it'll be more like a street fair in the heart of downtown, from Hemming Plaza down Laura Street to The Jacksonville Landing.
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-12/story/changes_in_store_for_2009_jazz_fest
Awesome! I believe this is actually something that we suggessted here a few months back. I don't know if they took our idea, but this is outfreakingstanding.
You got that right Steve.
Organize 4 or more quarterly events of this scale a year and downtown will completely transform, IMO.
I'm excited about this. It's one of the things I'd like to try but haven't locally.
Year before last I was going to met some friends there and I was on the way when they called me and told me not to waste my time or money. After being there for 10 minutes they left.
Keep pouring rain you nor’easter bastid, you won't deter me from going to the fest on Sat.
Anyone else with me?
I will be there wearing rubbers and holding an umbrella... :o :P :D
^^^Safe jazz. ;)
And don't forget your booties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI
Special Announcement
Venue Changes for Friday Night Performances Due to Inclement Weather
Due to inclement weather, for Friday night only, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival performances that were scheduled to take place on two of the outdoor stages will be moved to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, 100 W. Water St.
Performances scheduled for the “Swingin’ Stage†(corner of Forsyth and Laura Streets) will be moved to the Moran Theater.
Performances scheduled for the “Groovin’ Stage†(Hemming Plaza) will be moved to the Terry Theater.
All other elements of the festival will still take place outdoors as planned. The performances scheduled for the “Breezin’ Stage†(the stage in The Jacksonville Landing courtyard) will also take place outdoors as planned.
Performances scheduled for Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, will be held outdoors as scheduled.
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/Jazz+Festival/Default.htm
How bad is it raining down there? Sucks the timing of this!
I just got back. It drizzled off and on for about 10 minutes. Nothing horrible.
Not a big turn out. But well worth it. Laura St. is closed with vendor's all down it from Hemming to the Landing.
oh so wrong...the Landing courtyard is packed...and the Old Snyder Church look amazing!
got to admit...the City set this up very well...now if only the weather cooperates
I hope the weather cooperates... I will be down there rain or shine this afternoon through the evening. I will be under the large blue and white umbrella... :D
It was so great to see the inside of the old church. I've wanted to get inside for the past two years. While the crowds were light on Laura and in Hemming, tufsu is right. The church and Landing were both packed. I love the huge stage on Forsyth and hope the rain stays away for the rest of the weekend. The quality of art and vendors is very tasteful and the setup is fantastic. The city did a great job with the layout. I just pray the rain goes away and people come out to support our city.
Of course it is coming down in buckets, sheets, with a few cats and dogs mixed in... >:(
I spent some time at the festival earlier today and will try to get back down there tonight. The old church looks amazing. I really hope we can figure out what to do with that space long term, before its too late.
Whats all this talk about a church?? What church are you all referring to?
Its the grand old gothic church across Monroe in the Southeast corner of Hemming Plaza.
OCKLAWAHA
The old Snyder Methodist Church, next to the old Morrison's.
Inside the Snyder.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/544183044_ubWzL-M.jpg)
^^^Sweet.
Hey! I see Elaine and Dick Brown!!
slightly right of center (heh) of frame, in the foreground
I was in there last night... amazing place. Is the original organ still attached to those awesome organ pipes? The wall furthest away and to the side of the stage is in bad shape. The wall is being held up with external steel bracing. It is in desperate need or restoration...
I noticed the same thing about that far wall. I would love to see the church fully restored. I'm not sure if the city wants to keep the property, or if it should be sold to a private developer (with restrictions of course, like it can't be torn down!). But I think after restoration, it would make an awesome jazz venue. What a cool coffeehouse/wine bar/jazz music club! I mean the location is excellent and the way they set it up was perfect! By far one of my favorite venues of the weekend. I have great ideas and motivation if someone wants to lend me the money. ;) ;)
So it was a church? and now it is a venue? Cool, good to hear Jax aloud something like that. Is the church made of stone?
btw...I talked to some of the organizers today...apparently just about every business owner downtown was very pleased....including Chamblins, Subway, Quiznos, Zodiac, and the folks on Bay Street and The Landing.
The only exception seemed to come from a small restaurant on Laura Street that chose not to capitalize on all the jazz fans....instead the owner complained about how the festival was a nuisance (maybe like the homeless?).
The Jacksonville Landing last night.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/544190804_KkC9a-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/544191504_nYpJg-M.jpg)
Quote from: tufsu1 on May 24, 2009, 07:50:41 PM
btw...I talked to some of the organizers today...apparently just about every business owner downtown was very pleased....including Chamblins, Subway, Quiznos, Zodiac, and the folks on Bay Street and The Landing.
The only exception seemed to come from a small restaurant on Laura Street that chose not to capitalize on all the jazz fans....instead the owner complained about how the festival was a nuisance (maybe like the homeless?).
bwahahahahahaha!
I am so glad I had just picked up, but not sipped, my beer before I read that! I'd need some screen cleaner! :D
Some pics from Sunday.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009007.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009012.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009013.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009015.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009017.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009018.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009020.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009022.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009026.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009028.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009025.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/93sportie/jazzfest2009019.jpg)
Quote from: Coolyfett on May 24, 2009, 06:51:12 PM
So it was a church? and now it is a venue? Cool, good to hear Jax aloud something like that. Is the church made of stone?
The Church is made of stone. The city owns it, but it is rarely used. It also needs some work. IIRC, the city tried to give it away to the Pension Fund not that long ago, basically for free as I recall. That was dropped after objections were made to the low value.
It is in a great location and would make a good visitor's center or other use if the private sector does not want it, IMO.
The visitor's center will be going in next door. It should officially open sometime this summer.
That church would make a great addition to meeting spaces available in downtown for private events such as weddings or lectures, workshops, musical events, community meetings. I notice that the library has a fee schedule for its rooms which does not cover custodial or security. Maybe the city would consider fixing up the church too as a private/public operation.
Great pictures, looks like the crowds were good! Hope it comes back downtown next year.
Yeah, if it was at Met Park, it probably would've been cancelled due to sloppy areas.
Great pics, roadking!