With festival organizers pulling the plug on the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival at the last minute, venue managers and fans are improvising. Ticket holders have several options available to keep the spirit of the Calgary Jazz Festival alive June 21 - 27, 2010.
Refunding or Reusing 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival Tickets
Ticket holders who purchased their tickets through the EPCOR Centre Box Office can contact the office directly for a refund. Tickets that were purchased from the Calgary Jazz Association (C-Jazz) can be refunded through the C-Jazz office. Unprocessed tickets purchased made by credit card have been canceled.
Alternatively, the Sled Island Film Festival, taking place in Calgary June 24 - July 29, 2010 is offering Calgary Jazz Fest ticket holders an all-access pass. Jazz fest ticket holders can show their Calgary Jazz Festival ticket at the Plaza Theatre Box Office to receive their complimentary Sled Island Film Fest pass. Ticket holders should go one-hour before screening time for any of the 20 indie film premieres to collect their all-access pass.
Organizers of the Edmonton Jazz Festival, which runs June 24 - July 4, 2010, are offering two discounted packages to Calgary jazz lovers:
- Package 1: Two (2) tickets to NEA Jazz Master Chick Corea's concert with the Terry Clarke Trio. Accommodation at the Sutton Place Hotel is included. Package Price: $125.
- Package 2: Two (2) tickets to Chick Corea's concert, two (2) tickets to hear Carol Weisman and the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and two (2) tickets to the Jazz Fest Dance Party with Wil Campa's Afro-Cuban Band and Nils Landgren's Funk Unit. Three nights' accommodation at Sutton Place is included. Package price: $350.
The "Improvised" Calgary Jazz Festival
Calgary jazz fans have rallied together to keep jazz events alive throughout June 21 - 27, 2010. The BeatNiq Jazz and Social Club, Mikey's Juke Joint, Cantos Music Foundation and The Palomino Club are proceeding with most of the shows that 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival organizers had originally booked at these locations. Instead of C-Jazz footing the bill for the guest musicians, the local venues will pick up the tab.
A Facebook group called The "Improvised" Calgary Jazz Festival has been created to keep Calgary jazz fans in the loop of salvaged performances. Feedback has been generally positive.
About The Calgary Jazz Festival
The Calgary Jazz Festival began as a one-day festival in 1979. It has evolved into a week-long event that attracts jazz musicians and enthusiasts from around the globe. The 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival was scheduled to run June 21 - 27, 2010 with over 200 musicians at over 70 performances, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alumnus Ben E. King as well as NEA Jazz Masters Cedar Walton and Chick Corea.
It was canceled one day prior to the event due to financial issues and political infighting between the board of directors and management. This is the second time in the history of the Calgary Jazz Festival that it has been canceled. The Calgary Jazz Fest was canceled in 2006 one month prior to the event due to lack of funding.
With the last-minute cancellation of the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival, jazz enthusiasts rallied to support the artists and their music. Smaller venues are going ahead with some performances, while two festivals stepped up with offers to Jazz Fest ticket holders. Ticket refunds are also available through C-Jazz and the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. The spirit of the Calgary Jazz Festival is alive and kicking. However, the festival's future remains uncertain.
Sources:
- Calgary Herald website, accessed June 23, 2010.
- CBC website, accessed June 23, 2010.
- USA Today website, accessed June 23, 2010.
Rhona-Mae Arca - Rhona-Mae is a Registered Music Teacher. She has an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, B.A. (Music) and ...
