If you’re looking for a way to beat the summer heat, cool off with smooth jazz music in the Red River District during Jazz in July.
Jazz in July is a new concert series hosted by Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation and Downtown Shreveport Unlimited, featuring a series of free concerts, 6-8 p.m. each Thursday, July 11-25. The music lineup will include area favorites like Total Choice and Front Cover. Nicky’s Restaurant will also offer food specials as part of the event.
“It’s a cooler time of the day, and it’s free fun for everybody from families to the twentyand thirty-somethings who are looking for a place to unwind after work,” said SPAR event coordinator Catherine Kennedy.
The series will be a welcome addition for downtown visitors in light of the cancellation of this year’s Hot Jazz on the Red series, which was hosted each spring at the Barnwell Garden and Arts Center. The Barnwell Center is currently closed for renovations.
“Jazz in July is just a way of continuing with the tradition that the Barnwell Center started,” Kennedy said. She sees the event as an introduction to more exciting things to come as part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the district, which was taken over by the city last year.
“Our goal is to have several series throughout the year. We’ll have another concert series in the fall that will be every Thursday, starting Oct. 17 through Nov. 14. And we won’t just feature jazz music for the fall series,” she said.
In addition to live music, Kennedy said they are planning to launch other outdoor fun activities, including zumba classes at 8 a.m. each Saturday.“That way you can do some zumba and then go shop at the farmers market,” she said.
Despite the sometimes searing summer heat, Kennedy sees series like Jazz in July as an ideal way to explore and enjoy downtown Shreveport. “This is a more intimate area and a great place to showcase performers. Plus, we’re hosting it a cooler time of the day, and we’re under the cover of the bridge, so there’s always a breeze,” she said. “We’re looking to provide visitors with that local, Northwest Louisiana, Ark-La-Tex feel when they come here.”
Kennedy said they welcome ideas from the community, and they’re also seeking volunteers and musicians for the fall series. Call her at 673-7892.Visit the Shreveport-Bossier Fun Guide at www.ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com for more information on this and other upcoming area events. Subscribe to the Getaways e-newsletter at www.shreveport-bossier.org to receive monthly updates on area attractions and events. Check out the 2013 Visitors Guide online at visitors-guide.shreveport-bossier.org.
Donecia Pea is a member of the communications staff at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, where she helps promote all things local.
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