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Artscene Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE · WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 23 OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTOS ALL THAT JAZZ: Photos from last year's jazz festival show the variety of instruments featured at the three-day festival now celebrating its 17th year. Sounds of jazz will fill downtown streets 17th annual Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival features five stages of music, free admission to weekend By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The downtown core will be filled with the cool sounds of jazz this weekend for the 17th annual Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival. The event runs Friday through Sunday at outdoor venues throughout downtown Oakville. And in these recessionary times, the best news is that admission is free. "It's a big event for Oakville and downtown Oakville, and our businesses are 100 per cent behind the event," said Suzy Godefroy, manager of the Downtown Oakville Business Improvement Area (BIA), which presents the festival. "We've got a really great lineup this year." Performers will be featured on five stages. Some of this year's big performers are: David Garfield (pianist) with Alex Ligertwood (vocalist/guitarist) -- Friday from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m.; Chuchito Valdés (pianist) -- Saturday from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m.; Warren Hill (saxophonist) -- Saturday from 10 to 11:30 p.m., and Robin McKelle (vocalist) -- Sunday from 4:15 to 5 p.m. "We really stick to jazz and bring in profes- sionals that are known in that field," said Midnight Madness, which draws about 50,000 people on one evening. Godefroy. It is an important time to bring income to More than 30 young musicians will also be showcased at through the Youth in the the downtown core, Godefroy added. "We do see the spin off in the restaurants Spotlight event taking place on Saturday and boutique shopping in the downtown from 2 to 4 p.m. "Youth in the Spotlight is an event where area," she said. "It has been a tough year with we work with local music schools and music the economy, but we did see some good numteachers in the area and they refer their stu- bers at Midnight Madness, and we are hoping dents to this event and they get an opportuni- for the same." Organizers are dependty to perform on Saturday ent on nice weather to afternoon in the Towne "We've got a really great bring the crowds in. Square," she said. "It is a lineup this year." Last year, drizzly weathgreat event because you er and cloudy skies resultget to see some unbeliev- Suzy Godefroy ed in a drop in festival able young talent. These manager attendance. kids can be from age eight Downtown Oakville BIA "That (wet weather) has to 16. This allows them to get some experience at a never happened before in professional festival." the last 15 years, so we're hoping it never While the event's main purpose is to cele- happens again," she said. brate all that is jazz, it is also a way of getting While many of the attendees come from people to experience all the downtown core Oakville, it also draws music lovers from has to offer. much further away. "This is a great event from a tourism perThe event usually draws between 80,000 and 120,000 people, which means big dollars spective and a lot of visiting friends and for local businesses. It is one of the busiest tourists come," she said. "We see people from events for the downtown core, besides across Ontario, as well as the northern border states. We do see a boost in tourism numbers and we hear that from the hotels, as well." Like the variety of their hometowns, there is also a wide age range of the people coming to the event. "We see all ages here and we really like that," she said. To ensure good crowds, the Downtown Oakville BIA has embarked on a marketing campaign to promote the event, including advertising in specialty publications, radio stations, as well as other media across southern Ontario. "We're trying to appeal to people who like good food, good wine and want to enjoy good music, all of which this festival offers," Godefroy said. The jazz festival runs Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Some shops will be offering extended hours to accommodate the crowds, while many restaurants will be opening patios or extending their current patios to serve hungry and thirsty patrons. To view the full schedule of entertainment or for more information, visit www.oakvillejazz.com.