GRandJazzFest ready for 7th festival this weekend, Aug. 18 & 19

By Molly Klimas

The seventh annual GRandJazzFest presented by the DTE Energy Foundation brings 10 diverse jazz performance acts to the Rosa Parks Circle stage Aug. 18 and 19 in downtown Grand Rapids at West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. GRandJazzFest 2018 also includes free face painting for the kids (and kids at heart), plus a beverage and V.I.P. area provided by the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

The complete performance lineup for the event in order of appearance:

SATURDAY, Aug. 18

Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde, 12:30 p.m.
John Gist, 2 p.m.
Kevin Jones and Tenth World, 3:30 p.m.
Oli Silk, 5 p.m.
Lin Rountree, 6:30 p.m.
HEADLINER: Euge Groove, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 19

Student Jazz Band: Lushh, 1 p.m.
Grupo Ayé, 2:30 p.m.
Marcus Anderson, 4 p.m.
Nelson Rangell and Steve Oliver, 5:30 p.m.

The DTE Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, is helping festivalgoers care for the environment through its greening program and encouraging them to reduce, reuse and recycle. Through last year’s program, the festival recycled 525 pounds of waste, and refused more than 720 pounds.

The two-day GRandJazzFest is free for the seventh year in a row thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, along with the City of Grand Rapids, GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Mobile GR and Parking Services, Corporate Live, GRAM and many others (see the full list at http://grandjazzfest.org/sponsors/). The festival also is grateful to the many volunteers who contribute to the successful execution and experience of GRandJazzFest.

Tips for festivalgoers:

Location

GRandJazzFest will be held at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rosa Parks Circle is located at 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. You can find Rosa Parks Circle on Google Maps.

Mobile GR encourages attendees to walk, bike or ride the bus to the festival

A new festival partner this year is the City of Grand Rapids’ Mobile GR and Parking Services department. Mobile GR encourages festivalgoers to consider walking, biking, riding the bus, or sharing a ride with a friend to the festival. There are bike racks installed by the City of Grand Rapids around the Rosa Parks Circle venue for stowing and self-locking bikes.

Learn more about getting around Grand Rapids, and parking options for those who drive, https://grandjazzfest.org/plan-your-visit/.

Get there early — especially if you love big band music. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde kicks off the festival, which starts at noon on Saturday, Aug. 18. The fest goes until 10 p.m. that night and continues Sunday, Aug. 19, starting at 1 p.m. and going until approximately 8 p.m.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring lawn chairs, mini-coolers and sunscreen. The event takes place in a sunny, open area with some shady areas around the perimeter. The fest’s main tent will have bottled water for sale, the adjacent Grand Rapids Art Museum will be featuring a special refreshment area, and there are plenty of places surrounding Rosa Parks Circle to grab a quick bite and beverage. Plus, it’s Restaurant Week during GRandJazzFest! Learn more here: http://www.experiencegr.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/.

Also: There’s free Wi-Fi at Rosa Parks Circle via iserv, compliments of The City of Grand Rapids. GRandJazzFest’s website is mobile-optimized, which makes it easy to find the fest schedule and more. Plus, take photos while you’re at the fest and share on social media. Got feedback? Take our online survey (www.grandjazzfest.org/2018-survey/) with your phone to help us keep producing great fests.

For local hotel information, please visit experienceGR.com. Hotels within walking distance of Rosa Parks Circle include: