Sep

21

Festivals Singing the Blues

September 21, 2003 |

The last few years haven’t been very kind for some of Kansas City’s big outdoor music festivals. 2001 was the last year for the long-running Jazz and Blues Festival, the Blues and Heritage Festival that replaced it only ran for one year before going on hiatus in 2003 with dim prospects for returning. Even the long successful Spirit Festival, which survived several bounces between Labor Day, July 4th, and Memorial Day, did poorly this year and seems to be in trouble in the future. And 2003’s inagural Irish Fest was obliterated by freak torrential rains over Labor Day Weekend. Hearne Christopher interviews Spirit Fest’s Tim Smith, who bemoans a lack of city support and public interest.

However, one thing not mentioned is the disappointing musical lineup at recent Spirit Festivals and the last couple of Jazz & Blues Festivals. Both failed to attract the caliber of performers that we had come to expect. The festivals attendance problems definitely include a decline in the product presented to the public. The success of the Air Show, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Plaza Art Show, Brookside and Westport Irish Fests, American Royal, and the smaller 18th & Vine and KCK jazz/blues festivals show that the people will show up big numbers when the product is high-caliber.

The bottom line is that these festivals are good for the city’s quality of life as well as it’s image. Event organizers and city officials need to a better job of working together to present high quality entertainment options. Given Kansas City’s musical heritage, we especially need to re-establish a nationally recognized jazz and blues festival.


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. sarab on September 23, 2003 1:12 pm

    We loved the Jazz and Blues Festival, but the last couple years the lineup was really lacking. I can see why they cancelled it, as it was really falling off compared to earlier. Kansas City should have a world-class jazz fest at 18th & Vine.

  2. Frank on February 28, 2004 6:26 am

    Thanks for sharing this post!

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