October 18th to 21st in Cheraw: The South Carolina Jazz Festival

Be-Bopping in Cheraw, SC at the South Carolina Jazz Festival

The 2012 South Carolina Jazz Festival weekend is a little more than a month away.  Committee members have been planning since January for the October 18-21 celebration in Cheraw.   This year marks the festival’s seventh year to celebrate jazz and the birthday of Cheraw native, Dizzy Gillespie.

There are activities planned during the weekend for all ages– the annual Dizzy Gillespie Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament, Be-bop parade, art, kids’ activities, a chalk competition, in-school performances, 5K Run/Walk by Faith Christian Academy, a Jazzy Breakfast with the Cheraw Rescue Squad, and a Jazz Luncheon hosted by the Southern African American Heritage Center.  Of course, jazz will abound at numerous venues- Centennial Park, restaurants, schools, Wesley United Methodist Church, Gillespie Homesite Park, and the Theatre on the Green.

 

A new addition is an evening concert on Thursday, October 18 featuring trumpet player Joe Gransden. Evening Jazz on the Town Green begins at 6:30pm.  Attendees should bring lawn chairs and enjoy some jazz under the stars at this free event.   Also new this year is Picnic at the Gillespie Home Site Park at Huger Street on Sunday at 12:30pm. A new piece of sculpture for the park will be revealed during the picnic.  Long Middle School students have created this Dizzy inspired piece with South Carolina metal artist, Bob Doster.

 

For the fifth year, the weekend celebration concludes on Sunday afternoon with a Jazz Mass sponsored by the Cheraw Ministerial Association. Wesley United Methodist Church hosts this year's mass at 3:00pm featuring local voices with a Community Jazz Choir. 

 

Students at Cheraw schools will enjoy some jazz with in-school performances on Thursday, October 18.  The Air Force Academy Falconaires Big Bandfrom Colorado Springs, Colorado will perform at Cheraw High and at Long Middle School, while area musician Rakim McQueen performs at Cheraw Primary and Intermediate Schools.  Performances at the Theatre on the Green are also planned for students throughout the week.

Jazz at the Theatre on the Green will feature the 2009 Grammy Nominated Best Jazz Vocalist Kate McGarry on Friday the 19^th.  Think Jazz Orchestra, a tour de force showcases the talents of eight of South Carolina's finest jazz musicians on Saturday evening at the Theatre.  Theatre seating is limited on both nights. Tickets for these evening concerts are available at the Cheraw Community Center-200 Powe Street prior to the weekend or can be purchased on www.scjazzfestival.com.  Remaining tickets will be sold at Market Hall during the festival.  Single Night tickets are $20 and weekend passes for both nights are $35. 

 

The 7^th annual SC Jazz Festival offers something for everyone, so Be-bop on down to Cheraw for lots of jazz and fun.  For a complete event line-up, visit www.scjazzfestival.com or call 843.537.8420for additional information.