SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – A new festival will be taking over Shreveport’s riverfront with amazing music and wonderful art. Brittney Hazelton speaks to Co-Founder Ennis Gil about the festival and all it brings to the city of Shreveport-Bossier.
On April 12, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Jazz Fest on the Red will celebrate International Jazz Month with a new festival at Riverview Park, 601 – 699 Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway. The festival will feature live music, food, fashion, and art by area artists.
A GOOD CAUSE
Proceeds from the new festival will go towards scholarships for Arklatex high school jazz students.
“We are a nonprofit, and we have a scholarship fund, so we both, me and Charity, we have an educational background. So, we wanna also pay it forward because you gotta pay it forward for the future. So, we wanna help those students who want to continue musical arts in college. We wanna help them with scholarships. whether it’s a full scholarship, whether its a book stipend, we wanna help them and keep them motivated and keep them going,” explains Gil. “Jazz is the base of all music, and it’s important to keep that going, and we don’t have those kids shy away from wanting to play those instruments and just wanting to be within themselves and be a creative artist, because you never deny someone of that.”
The nonprofit plans to have more events throughout the year, including fundraisers and musical clinics for kids to play with jazz greats.
“At Jazz Fest on the Red, we believe that jazz is a powerful force that can bring people together and inspire positive change. We are committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and social justice through our content and partnerships with like-minded organizations,” says Jazz Fest on the Red’s website regarding their philosophy.
The Hosts:
PERFORMANCES:
ACTIVITIES:
- Food truck lane
- Art alley
- Fashion row
- Merchants market
- Kid zone with rides and exhibits
- Zen den to relax
- Audi & Porche backseat confessional about Shreveport and Jazz Fest.
- Art Can Change the World shirt, customizing by KaDavien Baylor.
How did the event come into existence?
“I was bugging Charity (co-founder) about doing a festival, and here we are. We birthed the festival and come up with a name. Riverview Park is such a beautiful place, sits on the river. So, why not Jazz Fest on the Red,” says Ennis Gil, co-founder.
Future of the event?
“We are locked in with the city for three years, but we plan on being here as long as Shreveport will have us. Hopefully, we can outgrow Riverview Park and move to a larger place and have multiple stages and just keep it going,” says Gil.
Tickets
Tickets for the event start at $17 for the 2-for-1 event sales, 35$ for standard, VIP tickets cost 60$. Buy yours HERE.
VIP’s will enjoy additional events in the Food & Wine Tent, including demos, tastings, artist talks, panels, line dances, and main stage performances.
Shreveport Police Department will be at the scene, overseeing the event to ensure safety.
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