Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Summer Jazz Series at Sea Walk Pavilion – Jacksonville, Florida

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The 2nd concert of the Jacksonville Beach Summer Jazz Series is scheduled for Sunday, July 12 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Sea Walk Pavilion. Headlining is Eric Darius, nationally renowned Tampa based jazz saxophonist, at 7:30 p.m. The Toronto electro jazz group, Four 80 East, with special guest Shilts, Paul Weimar, from London and a former member of Down-to-the-Bone, performs at 6.00 pm. The local favorite C1Jazz will kick things off at 5 p.m.

The next Summer Jazz concert is scheduled for August 9.
These concerts are free. Just bring your blanket or lawn chair and all your friends and plan for an cool, relaxing evening under the stars.

Jazz on the Beach

Fourth of July in Georgia

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Fantastic Fourth of July on River Street, Savannah, GA

In Savannah, the celebration takes place on River Street in the downtown district.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in River Street style in Savannah, Georgia. The party starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more.

Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

Call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Click here to watch the new weekly show video for Fourth of July in Georgia

Savannah Swings!

This event has become a yearly tradition in Savannah, and no wonder. It’s definitely very special way to celebrate the 4th of July. Just listen to this.

First, start out with a delicious picnic catered by the First City Club in Reynolds Square. There is really no better way to get a feel for the first city than by spending time in the squares, and why not a picnic. It is after all Fourth of July.

After the picnic, it’s time to head inside the cool Lucas Theater. This time of year, heading inside, can be a great way to cool off. Now you’re going to experience a cool jazz concert with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.
Don’t get too relaxed, because then it’s time to move to the beat, this time we’re following the band’s lead. We’re follwing the musicians in a New Orleans-style procession from the front of the Lucas, down the Abercorn ramp, all the way down to River Street. Here it’s time to sit again. This is where you’ll find the best seat in the town for fireworks viewing right on the river. Savannah swings!

Tickets for the concert, parade and seats are $25 for adults, and $10 children 12 and under. There is a $5 discount for military, fire & police.

Tickets for the picnic are available for an additional $20 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.

The picnic is 3.30 – 5.oo pm and the concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Lucas Theatre.

All tickets are available by calling 912-525-5050.

Savannah Georgia Fourth of July

Fireworks Tybee Island Pier

Get an early start for the 4th of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Friday July 3rd with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.

Call 912-786-5444 for more information.

Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia

This arts and crafts festival takes place in Postell Park in the village. Come and get inspiration for your next art project, or find that perfect gift! Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, garden art, wood craft, photography, sculpture, sweetgrass baskets, art glass and much much more.

July 3-5 from 10 am to 5 pm.

912.262.0628

Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA

Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration for the whole family. Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk.

4th of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA

Jekyll Island is one of our favorite places to visit, and the beach is gorgeous. So if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to Jekyll Island. Take a quick tour of the historic Landmark district and then head to the beach deck. Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck featuring the DeeJay game show – the Big Dawg and Paul Show. The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area.

For more information contact The Jekyll Island Welcome Center: 877-4-JEKYLL

www.jekyllisland.com

Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia

Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks.

The day starts early with a 5K/10K run, then it is time for the annual parade down main street. Arts and crafts, food vendors and entertainment all day. Fireworks at dusk.

For more information call 912.882-4000

Waterfront in Darien, Georgia

Why wait until Saturday, start your party already on Friday in Darien when Mason Waters and The Groove All-Stars perform on the Waterfront Stage in Darien on Friday July 3rd in celebration of Independence Day. Gates open at 6:00pm; Music begins at 7:00pm with FIREWORKS!! scheduled for 9:15pm.

Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien

Join the Garrison for a day of artillery drills, musket firings and soldier’s life activities to honor Independence Day. Free watermelon and lemonade will be served. $3.50-$5. (912) 437-4770.

Fourth of July

Third Thursday DREAMfest May 21st on Town Square

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It’s time to jazz up Summerville. Thursday May 21st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Cobblestone Trio will put on a free concert in Town Square. The Jazz Trio features Summerville native, David Archer, on guitar. George Kenny, a legend in the Charleston music community, is featured on sax. David Keller, from Savannah, GA is on upright bass. The music will be festive, featuring jazzy selections from many eras, to delight listeners.

This is a rare public performance by these musicians who typically specialize in private events at local resorts, fine hotels, and downtown reception halls. They have played for Heads of State, Captains of Industry, dignitaries from around the world, and have shared the stage with major artists, such as Ray Charles. Local businesses and restaurants will be open late with special promotions, some will offer refreshments.

In addition to the free concert will be the Art Walk on Short Central Avenue, local artists and crafters will set up outside with many unique items ranging from pottery to handcrafted jewelry. Local acoustics duo 2for2 will also be playing live during the Art Walk near the fountain on Short Central Avenue.

More details about Thursday Dreamfest Summerville

Summerville

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 Bigger and Better

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This year the Jazz Festival offers free performances from renowned artists Roberta Flack, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Chris Botti, Boney James, Stanley Clarke Trio, Jazz Attack, Joe Sample & Patti Austin, Jimmy Cobb, Guitars & Saxes, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Latin Jazz All Stars, Mindi Abair, Dr. John & the Lower 911, Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet and many more!

Art in the Heart of Downtown
But this festival offers more than great jazz music. There’s also “Arts in the Heart of Downtown”, where you can enjoy art while listening to jazz music. The art event is open all festival days.

Wine Down
For those of us who enjoy wine tasting, there’s a special event during the Jazz Festival.
It’s called Wine Down and takes place in Hemming Plaza on Saturday May 23 as well. Taste Tickets are $15, and you’ll get to sample eight wines and receive a complimentary glass. Jazz and wine tasting, not a bad combo!

Young Jazz Musicians Competition
Come watch a live competition. Young jazz musicians will showcase their talents for the chance to win a music scholarship. Jazz talents between the ages of 7-21 auditioned for the competition to be held during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be used to further his or her music education.

Location: Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing Courtyard)
Saturday, May 23
First Round 1:30 p.m.- Finals 5:30 p.m.
Free admission

CHOPS, A Documentary
This award-winning documentary film tells the story of a group of young, talented musicians who learn to make the most of their gifts in an acclaimed jazz program at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. We follow their musical journey to New York City where they compete at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival against the top high school jazz bands in the nation. Win or lose, the experience puts them at the threshold of their dream and reveals their incredible personal and musical growth.

CHOPS – watch the trailer!

Saturday, May 23
Doors open 1:30 p.m. Showtimes: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts (Jacoby Symphony Hall). Free Admission

Jazz Parade
Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m.
No festival is complete without a parade. This is of course a special jazz parade down Laura Street from Hemming Plaza to The Jacksonville Landing. The parade is led by the St. Johns River City Dixieland Band. Everyone is encouraged to bring their instruments and parasols. What about jazz hands?

Jacksonville florida

Jazz Juniors
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
Bring the kids to Jacksonville Landing for jazz fun. Jazz Juniors is a variety of fun, learning activities to introduce young hearts and minds to the world of jazz.
There’s even an instrument “Petting Zoo” where children are introduced to each family of instruments and can play them.
In front of The Jacksonville Landing – (on Water St./Independent Drive). Free Admission

Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard
Experience the life of great jazz musicians in this photo exhibit by award-winning jazz photographer Herman Leonard. The exhibit includes framed prints of jazz greats including signature performances and candid moments of Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

MOCA Jacksonville, (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Free admission (to the exhibit only)
All festival days

Q&A sessions
Take part in question and answer sessions featuring jazz performers, educators, festival stakeholders and supporters.All Festival Days. Free admission

Wednesday, May 20
Mike Tolbert, Jacksonville Jazz Festival pioneer
Noon at Snyder Memorial Church
Festival pioneer and Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Famer Mike Tolbert will discuss the beginnings of the festival and why Jacksonville is so passionate about jazz.

Friday May, 22
Contemporary keyboardist Lao Tizer
8 p.m. at Main Library (inside the former Shelby’s Coffee)
Lao Tizer will discuss his performance style, influences and experiences.

Saturday, May 23
CHOPS: Behind The Scenes
4 p.m. at Times-Union Center (Jacoby Hall)
Former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts band members, band director Ace Martin and documentary director Bruce Broder will discuss their preparation for and experience at the Essentially Ellington Competition.

Need a map?

Click here to get a Printable map for the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Parking During the Jazz Festival
Click here to get a printable map for parking for Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Skyway is Free for the Festival
Compliments of JTA, the Skyway will be FREE for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The Skyway is the easiest way to get to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival from the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River – and it’s fun too. The Hemming Plaza station will drop fans in the middle of the action at the Groovin’ Stage in Hemming Plaza and the Laura Street Corridor.

The Central Station will drop festival fans just a block away from the Breezin’ Stage inside The Jacksonville Landing, near the Jazz Juniors area and the Laura Street Corridor. This stop is also located just behind the Omni Jacksonville Hotel where the ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam will be held on the Saturday night of the festival.

Skyway Hours
Friday, May 22, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Northbank Stations

* Hemming Plaza Station (Monroe and Hogan streets)
* Central Station (Bay and Pearl streets)
* Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Station (Hogan and State streets)
* Convention Center Station (Bay and Johnson Streets)

Southbank Stations

* San Marco Station (San Marco Boulevard and Mary Street)
* Kings Avenue Station (Prudential Drive and Kings Avenue)

For more information, call (904) 630-3100 or visit www.jtafla.com.

JTA Parking
JTA Parking locations include the Prime Osborn Convention Cener lot on the Northbank and the Kings Avenue Garage on the Southbank. Park at these locations for $5 per vehicle.

Bike Valet by Bike Jax
Bike Valets are not like car valets, it’s  more like a coat check. The good thing is your bicycle will be safe while you’re having fun. You leave your bike and get  a numbered ticket and the Bike Jax staff guards your bike and accessories in a secure enclosure until you are ready leave the event. The idea behind Bike Jax valet is to promote bicycling. Many bicyclists are afraid of getting their bicycles stolen, the bike valet will help – and get more people to ride bikes. Great idea!

Friday – Sunday during festival hours
Locations:

  • Hemming Plaza (in front of City Hall St. James on Duval St.)
  • Hogan St. (between The Jacksonville Landing and the Times-Union Center

Water Taxis

Water taxis will provide service from both sides of the river during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Hours of Operation
Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northbank Stops

* Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina)
* The Jacksonville Landing

Southbank Stops

* Friendship Fountain Park
* Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront
* Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk

Fares

Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina) $4 one-way. All other downtown locations $3 one-way
For more information including stop locations and group discounts, call (904) 733-3382 or e-mail ssmarinetaxi@comcast.net.

Read Coastal Companion’s previous post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Read Coastal Companion’s Event Calendar post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 event