With the forecast calling for temperatures in the 90s this weekend, the coolest place in town may well be the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.
What started as a small single day event in downtown Minneapolis 27 years ago has grown into what organizers call one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. The family-friendly event has called Mears Park, in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, home since 2009.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to check out the action.
The main attraction
The festival takes place on Friday and Saturday on two stages at Mears Park.
Friday’s main stage concerts:
4 p.m.: Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra featuring Jennifer Grimm
6 p.m.: Doreen Ketchens’ Jazz New Orleans, which blends classical training with the soul of gospel, blues and jazz
8:30 p.m.: Jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen performing with his trio with guests the Four Freshmen
Saturday’s main stage concerts:
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Noon: Youth performances from Walker West Music Academy and MacPhail Center for Music
2 p.m.: Twin Cities fusion band Society of Chemists, led by composer and performer Stephanie Wieseler
4 p.m.: Patty Peterson presents Jazz Women All Stars featuring Peterson and Ginger Commodore backed by a five-piece band
6 p.m.: Drummer L.A. Buckner and Big Homie playing music influenced by gospel, R&B, hip-hop, African rhythm and jazz
8:30 p.m.: Vocalist Catherine Russell performs with pianist and composer Sean Mason, her collaborator on her albums “Send for Me” and “My Ideal”
The Jazz on 5th Street stage features Selby Avenue Brass Band with Thomasina Petrus (5 p.m.) and Las Guaracheras (7:30 p.m.) on Friday and the Avant Garde (3 p.m.), Drums of Navarone (5 p.m.) and Swinging Motown (7:30 p.m.) on Saturday.
What to know about attending
Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, while coolers are discouraged. Organizers ask attendees to help keep the festival free by purchasing food and beverages at the festival.
Weapons of any kind, illegal drugs, outside alcohol and vendors that support or oppose any political candidate or cause are not allowed.
Most sets are one hour, with headliners performing from 75 to 90 minutes. Music in the park ends each night at 10 p.m.
Mears Park and all other festival venues are wheelchair accessible, as are Lowertown parking ramps. Volunteers and staff are available for assistance.
In case of severe weather, festivalgoers should take shelter and not wait out the storm under a tent. Once the storm passes, the show will go on.
Beyond Mears Park
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival also boasts 18 venues across the Twin Cities with indoor performances, including pre- and post-festival shows. Cover charges may apply at some venues.
For the full schedule, see twincitiesjazzfestival.com. Highlights include:
Thursday: Tina Schlieske (6:15 p.m.) and the New Standards and Friends (8 p.m.) in Mears Park; Pete Whitman and Mississippi (5 p.m.) in Rice Park; and Jazz Unplugged (6 p.m.) at Urban Growler Brewing Company.
Friday: Maryann and the Money Makers (6:30 p.m.) at the Mall of America Rotunda; Jenny Klukken Quartet (4:30 p.m.), Travis Anderson Trio (7 p.m.) and Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet (8:45 p.m.) at the Twin Cities PBS Stage; Trench Size Trio (6 p.m.) at the White Squirrel; and Dorothy Doring and Jon Weber (5 p.m.), Nicholas David (7 p.m.) and Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz (9 p.m.) at Big River Pizza.
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Saturday: Victoria Temiz with James Allen (9 a.m.) at the St. Paul Farmers’ Market; Siama’s Musical Instrument Petting Zoo (noon) and ArtStart art activity and stilters (2 p.m.) at the Family Zone on 5th Street; Explosion Big Band (4:30 p.m.), Tom Hunter (5 p.m.), Daphna Levy with Adi Yeshaya (6 p.m.) and Joe Pulice Salutes Buddy Rich (7:30 p.m.) at Crooners Supper Club; and a full afternoon of youth performances from noon to 6 p.m. at Walker West Music Academy Youth Stage at Saint City.
Sunday: Peel Me a Grape: Songs by Dave Frishberg with Connie Evingson and Jon Weber (4 p.m.) at Crooners Supper Club; and Leslie Parker and Collaborators (7:30 p.m.) at the Cedar Cultural Center.
If you can’t make it
Jazz88 will stream the festival live at 88.5 FM and online at jazz88.fm.
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