Denton Arts & Jazz Fest returns in April with McCoy Tyner, Susan Tedeschi, Brave Combo and more
DENTON — Get ready to swing when the musical city of Denton comes alive on April 27, 28 and 29 at the annual Denton Arts & Jazz Festival held at Denton Civic Center Park and Facilities, 321 East McKinney, Denton.
McCoy Tyner
The Denton Festival Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the city of Denton, Denton Parks and Recreation, and the Dallas/Fort Worth American Federation of Musicians, produces the festival with support from individual and corporate sponsorships. Over 2,200 musicians, artists and performers attract more than 200,000 attendees annually to the culturally diverse music and art event.
Jazz, blues and cross-cultural music will be featured on six different stages, with the four top headliners being the McCoy Tyner Trio, Susan Tedeschi, Stephen Bruton, and the Brave Combo.
The Denton Festival Foundation, Inc., formed in 1980, produced the first arts festival in Denton, then called "Spring Fling," in April 1980. The festival was held at the North Texas State Fairgrounds each spring until 1989, when it was moved to the Center for the Visual Arts and surrounding area. In 1990, Spring Fling and JazzFest merged under the name of Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, with a new location: Denton Civic Center Park and adjacent facilities.
Over 230 sponsors, in addition to the festival foundation-sponsored booth and booth space fees, guarantee that the event will be free.
Susan Tedeschi
The festival also relies on a volunteer support group of more than 350 members -- dubbed "Top Hands" -- and another 300 volunteers who serve with non-profit groups. Membership in "Top Hands" is open to anyone who supports the arts and will promise to work a 3-4 hour shift of choice. Membership is $15.00 annually and brings many amenities, such as a party given in honor of the volunteers the night before the festival opens, and reserved parking.
Professional musicians and artists, amateur, community and school performers all get the opportunity to perform, with jazz music being a major part of the festival, including students from the legendary jazz program at the University of North Texas.
The festival attracts visitors from all over the region. It grows every year, and has been recognized statewide and regionally as one of the best arts festivals of its kind.
One reason for its success is that it appeals to all ages and crosses all ethnic barriers in entertainment and attendance. That includes the 12-and-under set, well served at the Children’s Art Tent, with hands-on projects such as drawing, sculpting, painting, printmaking, and paper and fiber arts under trained supervision.
The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
When: Friday, April 27, 2007, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Denton Civic Center, 321 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX
Cost: Free
Age limit: All ages
Full event details
"I think the most important thing about the festival is the ability to offer the exposure of the arts with the children," said Kevin Lechler, Assistant Director of the festival. "We are starting to see a second generation in the art tent: People who participated in the arts tent [as children] are now bringing their children there."
One-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures, and special craft items from 175 juried artists and crafters are available. Community awareness and business opportunity booths are also featured. Games and activities can be enjoyed by everyone, as well as food at six food courts.
Carol Short, executive director of the festival, said that her lifelong involvement in the arts culminated in the formation and production of the annual festival, beginning in 1991.
http://www.dentonjazzfest.com/
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