Jazz Fest brings free live music downtown this weekend
THE STAGES
Swingin’ Stage, at the Duval County Courthouse, Pearl and Adams Streets
Groovin’ Stage, Hemming Park, Monroe and Laura Streets
THE HOURS
Friday: 6-11 p.m.
Saturday: 3-11 p.m.
Sunday: 3-10 p.m.
THE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
7 p.m.: Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition, Florida Theatre ($13.50)
FRIDAY
6:15 p.m.: UNF Jazz Ensemble 1, Groovin’ Stage
7:30 p.m.: Monty Alexander, Swingin’ Stage
7:45 p.m.: Jazmin Ghent, Groovin’ Stage
9:30 p.m.: Ledisi, Swingin’ Stage
9:30 p.m.: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Groovin’ Stage
SATURDAY
10 a.m.: Jazz Fest Clinic with pianist Marcus Johnson, Ritz Theatre
3:15 p.m.: Delfini Jazz Sextet, featuring JU Jazz faculty and alumni, Groovin’ Stage
3:30 p.m.: Piano Competition winner, Swingin’ Stage
4 p.m.: Second Line Jazz Parade, Broad and Adams Streets
4:30 p.m.: Brass-a-Holics, Groovin’ Stage
4:30 p.m.: LPT, Swingin’ Stage
5:45 p.m.: Camila Meza Quartet, Groovin’ Stage
6 p.m.: Greg Adams and East Bay Soul, Swingin’ Stage
7:15 p.m.: Kirk Whalum, Groovin’ Stage
7:45 p.m.: Avery Sunshine, Swingin’ Stage
9 p.m.: Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective, Groovin’ Stage
9 p.m.: Jazz Jam at Breezy Jazz Club
9:30 p.m.: Brian Culbertson, Swingin’ Stage
SUNDAY
10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Sacred Jazz Brunch with Jamison Ross, Omni Jacksonville Hotel ($49.99-$69.99)
3:15 p.m.: Marcus Johnson, Groovin’ Stage
3:30 p.m.: Norman Brown, Swingin’ Stage
4:45 p.m.: U.S. Navy Band SouthEast VIP Combo, Groovin’ Stage
6:15 p.m.: Moonchild, Groovin’ Stage
6:30 p.m.: The Sax Pack starring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Kim Waters, Swingin’ Stage
8:30 p.m.: Gladys Knight, Swingin’ Stage
THE TICKETS
No tickets are needed; the event is free. VIP packages, which include up-front seating, reserved parking and access to VIP bars and restrooms, are available for $169-$349.
THE PROHIBITED STUFF
No coolers, grills, tents, canopies, pets, recording devices, outside alcohol and food, fireworks, flagpoles, glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, noisemakers or drones.
THE STREETS
Since this is a street festival, lots of downtown streets will be closed to traffic and parking. Among streets to be at least partially closed are North Pearl, Hogan, Adams, West Duval, North Laura, Clay, North Julia, Broad and West Monroe. Most streets are scheduled to reopen by noon Monday.
THE PARKING
There will be no street parking at meters on parts of Adams, Monroe, Duval, Church, Broad, Clay, Pearl, Julia and Hogan Streets through Monday. Parking garages throughout downtown will be open for the festival. For information on downtown parking, go to parkdtjax.com
Parking is available during the festival at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage, which is connected to downtown by the Jacksonville Skyway. The Skyway will run from 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and 1-11 p.m. on Sunday.
AFTER DARK
When the lights go dark on the big Jazz Fest stages, the music continues in downtown clubs. Go to facebook.com/jazzfestafterdark for a schedule of who is playing at what time at 1904 Music Hall, Bold City Brewery, Element Bistro, Island Girl Cigar Bar, Cowford Chophouse and the Justice Pub.