Great headline over at The Onion last week, “Nation’s Boyfriends Dreading ‘Free Event in the Park’ Season“. I couldn’t help but think back to it, because today’s feature is, in fact, a free event in the park. And as the article warns, it even stars eclectic musicians. So, jazz fans, this is for you. Boyfriends, start making alternative plans right now.
Coming up on its 19th year, the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz in Hartford, Connecticut is no throwaway freebie in the park. Self-declared the largest free jazz event in New England, the festival attracts nearly 50,000 fans every year for three days of diverse jazz performances. Everything from traditional jazz orchestras to cool quartets to blistering fusion acts will keep the stage grooving all weekend long.
If it was the Great Hartford Festival of Progressive Metalcore, I could stay here all day and sermonize, but you’ll have to forgive me that I just don’t know a lot about jazz. For you jazz enthusiasts reading, this list is likely to mean more to you than to me. Featured performers at the 2010 Great Hartford Festival of Jazz include: Layla Angulo, Ricky Alfonso, Doc Gibbs & N’ Fusion (fans of Emeril Live! will recognize this act), TIZER, Nobuki Takamen and a tribute performance to saxophone icon Stan Getz.
If you’re so inclined, you are welcome to attend “Jazz Mass” at the historic Christ Church Cathedral. That’s 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
The three-day event is rounded out with all the festival favorites. Arts and crafts tables, specialty vendors and, of course, the kind of delicious food that you can only find a festivals and fairs. If there is a favorite of yours performing, or if you find a new one, don’t miss a chance to meet them at the artists’ tables. You can meet the stars, pick up some new merch and get those vintage vinyl sleeves signed.
It’s good music, it’s loads of fun and it’s free!
The 2010 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz will be held July 16-18, 2010 in Bushnell Park, the oldest public park in the country. BYO chairs, blankets, tables, hats, ponchos. Dogs welcome. The event is 100% free to attend, though donations to the Hartford Jazz Society are always welcome and appreciated. Learn more.
50 Morgan St.
Hartford, CT 06120
Phone: 1-860-549-2400
Website: http://www.cphartford.com/
Located in walking distance to Bushnell Park, the Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown is consistently one of the best hotels in Hartford, CT. Free Internet, free shuttle, free weekend parking and always surprisingly reasonable, this place gets away with an often abused line like “affordable luxury”. The combination of location, refined guest rooms and extensive amenities makes this an easy choice. When visiting Bushnell Park, I don’t know why you’d stay anywhere else.
Have fun at the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival.
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