With the 30th Anniversary 2023 Guelph Jazz Festival starting in one week, Thursday 14 September, we invite you to help us to start the festivities early at a series of free preview concerts this weekend, 9-10 September.
‘GJF in the Parks’ started as a response to public health measures and audience comfort considerations at our 2021 Festival, but we have continued to present in Guelph’s parks since then to increase the reach of our programming and to help to animate the neighbourhoods where the parks are located.
This year we are previewing two of the groups to be featured at the Friday Night Street Music Party in Market Square (15 September): mandingue percussion trio Alpha Rhythm Roots and Serbian wedding-music brass band Lemon Trubaci. In addition, we’re welcoming back our friends from last year’s Street Music and Parks programming, Libation Street Band, a terrific horns-and-drums ensemble playing Ghanaian popular and folk tunes.
• Saturday 9 September, 2-5pm (Libation SB, Alpha Rhythm Roots, Lemon Trubaci), Norm Jary Park, 20 Shelldale Cres., N1H 1C9 –– parking next to the Shelldale Community Centre, then follow signs northwest into the park to access the site. Free admission. Public washroom on site.
Presented in Partnership with the Onward Willow Neighbourhood Group.
• Sunday 10 September, 2-5pm (Libation SB, Alpha Rhythm Roots, Lemon Trubaci), York Road Park, 85 York Rd., N1E 3E6 –– West end of the park near the covered bridge; parking on York Rd. or off Gordon St. next to the Lawn Bowling courts. Free admission. No public washroom on site; portable toilets a short walk away.
Presented in Partnership with the Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group.
Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for seating, along with water, snacks, and sun protection. The GJF will have some seating available.
Among our many funders and sponsors, ‘GJF in the Parks’ is made possible through funding through the Ontario Music Investment Fund and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
