In July, since 1988, the streets and avenues of the Beaches have come alive for 10 days with the sounds of jazz. It is a celebration of the music, the people and the culture. Remarkably, the Beaches International Jazz Festival is both community-based and FREE. Events within this event include a Street Fest, workshops and a host of concerts by traditional, modern and classic jazz musicians. It allows you to wander along the shores of Lake Ontario and visit the small village of the Historic Distillery District. Events take place at various venues including Kew Gardens, Woodbine, Queen Street and the Historic Distillery District off Queen. Most of the events take place outdoors so come prepared with sun block, a hat or an umbrella.
Enjoy the opening launch on the Lake at Woodbine. Here you can wander from stage to stage — five stages in all — sampling the musical offerings. Music is for everyone at Woodbine. Besides the traditional offerings, there are a New Generation Stage and a Youth Stage. The Beaches International Jazz Festival does it best to bring you the latest musical genres.
Parts of Queen Street close down for the Festival so you can shop and sample another aspect of the Festival. Food, souvenirs and other memorabilia are available from nearby shops and vendors. For those more interested in discovering trade secrets, the Festival offers various workshops and seminars. Here, scholars and eminent jazz musicians help you to discover the basics and more of Jazz. Learn about techniques, rhythms, harmony and improvisation. Like the concerts, these events are also free.
