In the city there are two bookends that mark the seasons of the city, Fiesta Week and Jazz'SAlive. You will eventually go to both at some point in your life, that is a given. And while at Fiesta Week you will overindulge on food and drink at Jazz'SAlive your ears and senses will be treated to musical bliss.
Jazz'SAlive is a festival that takes place every year at Travis Park. It is free and open to the public. Some of jazz's biggest names perform here for example: Chuck Mangione, Sergio Mendes, Hiroshima, Spyro Gyra, The Yellow Jackets, and one year the late great Tito Puente played here, to name a few. On two stages in the park music shifts from a smaller stage to a larger one by sundown.
The event itself is perfect to bring your kids and pets along. Patrons usually take folding chairs and blankets to mark their spot for the headlining acts. Vendors that sell food, drink and art are spread around the park. The festival specifies that outside food and drink are prohibited but you still see people bring gigantic Igloo coolers filled with snacks or Bud Lites. As long as you don't cause a commotion the park police will leave you be.
It is certainly a great event, it brings some level of sophistication and musical integrity to our city. I must relay to you these suggestions:
1. The likelihood that you will pay for parking is great. Since the event is free just see it as a simple tradeoff.
2. Never go alone. Go with friends or a date.
3. The weather can change on the drop of a dime. Pack a bag with sunblock, umbrella and light sweater. It can be cool, sunny or pour rain endlessly.
4. If you are claustrophobic don't go. By nightfall it gets packed and you are chair to chair next to your neighbor.
5. And lastly since it does get packed position yourself closer to the edges so you can move more freely to get food, drink or more importantly; to use the porta-potties.
Jazz'SAlive is a great event, one that invites the whole city to its celebration of music. It is an occasion where generations of families go and in turn create new traditions and special memories. While Fiesta Week gives us an excuse to be wild, Jazz'SAlive gives us the license to chill and relax. read more