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Karen Hatchett
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Atlanta Jazz Festival Presents Popular Neighborhood Jazz Series
Atlanta, GA --- “As part of our mission the Atlanta Jazz Festival serves as a cultural bridge uniting Atlanta’s diverse communities,” states Camille Russell Love, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs. “We created the Neighborhood Jazz Series five years ago and it has become one of the festival’s signature events. This year we will present the series in several beautiful Atlanta area parks thanks to the support of Atlanta City Councilmembers. Keisha Lance Bottoms is hosting at John A. White Park on June 8; Joyce Sheperd will host at Perkerson Park on June 9; Cleta Winslow is hosting at Gordon-White Park on June 16 and Alex Wan will host at McClatchey Park on June 22. Some of Atlanta’s most exciting up and coming artists will be performing including J. Henry, Gabbie McGee and Eric Thomas. All the events are free and open to the public. Join us in a park near you for an afternoon of great music, warm camaraderie and family fun.”
This is the third year that Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms and her office have hosted a neighborhood jazz concert and she’s thrilled to participate again. “These concerts are a great opportunity for residents to come out and enjoy entertainment right in theirown community,” says Bottoms. “Many of the acts we have had perform at our neighborhood concerts have gone on to perform on the Main Stage during the larger festival in Piedmont Park. This speaks to the caliber of talent that we have each year. And if previous events are any indication, this year will be even bigger and better!”
“If you just listen to the news, there’s a perception that everything is negative in our communities,” comments Councilmember Joyce Sheperd. “But there are so many good things happening. I wanted to get involved with this event to bring our neighborhood together and share positive memories.”
“I grew up listening to jazz and I love exposing our young people to the music and jazz culture,” adds Sheperd. “These neighborhood events are very family-friendly so people bring their kids and grandkids. It gives me great pleasure to hear teenagers say this music is ‘cool’ and to see the joy on their faces when they are discovering something new.”
Here’s the upcoming schedule:
Saturday, June 8 from 3:00-8:00 pm
John A. White Park at 1053 Cascade Circle SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
Entertainment by: J. Henry, J.O. Wyatt, Milkshake and The Mays-Young Jazztet featuring students from Benjamin E. Mays High School and Jean Childs Young Middle School.
Hosted by Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms
Sunday, June 9 from 4:00-8:00 pm
Perkerson Park at 770 Deckner Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Entertainment by: J. Henry, Gabbie McGee and Infinite Sound Family
Hosted by Councilmember Joyce Sheperd
Sunday, June 16 from 3:00-8:00 pm
Gordon-White Park at White Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Entertainment by: Chandra Currelley and Eric Thomas
Hosted by Councilmember Cleta Winslow
Saturday, June 22 from 4:00-7:00 pm
McClatchey Park at 152 Westminster Drive NW, Atlanta 30309
Entertainment by: Takana Miyamoto
Hosted by Councilmember Alex Wan
Sponsors for this year’s festival are PNC Bank, The Coca-Cola Company, the Georgia Lottery, Celebrity Cruises, Publix Super Markets, Bank of America, England Piano, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Federal Home Loan Bank-ATL, MARTA, Loews Atlanta Hotel and id8. Media partners include: In Contact- Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, Atlanta Daybook, Candid Jazz Blast, Black Enterprise, iRock Jazz, atlantajazz.info, 1380 News & Talk WAOK, V-103, Atlanta Inquirer, Atlanta Tribune, JS108-atlanta.com, Majic 107.5, JazzTimes, Rolling Out, WOWNOW and WRFG 89.3 FM.
The 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Join us on Facebook at AtlantaJazzFestival , download our new mobile app for iPhone and Android, and visit the official web site at www.atlantafestivals.com.
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