One thing is the same this year at LJF – THE GREAT MUSIC!

Several other aspects though, are quite different.  We are very excited about the changes, and about how they will help us celebrate Litchfield Jazz Camp, the educational heart of our organization. As you may already know, we have moved the Festival venue to The Gunnery in Washington, CT (the camp’s current home) in an effort to tie the Festival in more closely with our Camp.  The venue is indoors, air conditioned and much more intimate than before. With only 220 seats, this means EVERYONE is close to the stage! With 3 days, 2 parties and a free “OuterFest” on Saturday, there is a lot of information to take in, so we have broken out some of the highlights for you below:

WHAT’S DIFFERENT

1. THE PERFORMANCE VENUE:

Main stage performances are in Emerson Performing Arts Center (EPAC) at the Gunnery in Washington, CT. Click to view the schedule/lineup

This is an intimate hall –great size for jazz—which will have wonderful sound thanks to the technology and artistry of generous sponsor Telefunken Elektroakustik. The hall is air conditioned, and the fest can go on rain or shine now.

2. THE LJF OUTERFEST – July 27

With the professional fest concerts indoors this year, we didn’t want visitors to miss some of the things they’ve come to love about the outdoor festival—fine art, beautiful crafts, great food, Litchfield Jazz Camp student concerts and family fun. SO… thanks to a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation, we are able for the first time to offer the public access to all this for FREE!

The Outer Fest will be held on Saturday, July 27 from 11am-5pm. It is located n the Washington Green, across the street (RT 47) from the Mainstage concerts, and just steps away from our new STUDENT STAGE….

• LITCHFIELD JAZZ CAMP STUDENT STAGE 

Hearing our Jazz Campers perform is always a highlight for our audience. This year you can hear them at the beautiful, historic, acoustically gorgeous  Congregational Church On-the-Green. The church will also host our artist talks and other highlights. Concerts will continue throughout the day from 11 – 5 PM.

• FOOD, ART AND CRAFTS at the OUTERFEST 

A highlight of the Litchfield Jazz Festival experience is our great food, fine artists and crafters. Food vendors will serve up delicious treats like wood fired pizza cooked fresh on the spot.  This year all OuterFest activites are open to the public for free. Stay tuned for a full list of vendors!

3. FUNDRAISER EVENTS! CELEBRATE WITH LITCHFIELD JAZZ & SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS

We know you love celebrating with us at our opening night gala and jazz brunch during Litchfield Jazz Fest weekend.

• FRIDAY NIGHT GALA

This year the opening night gala will be held at The Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens on Friday evening July 26, Washington Depot (at the foot of the RT 47 hill). Enjoy fine french wines, appetizers, an art exhibit by local mixed-media artist Peter Wooster, and live jazz music by top Litchfield Jazz Camp students. Learn more about the Gala HERE

• SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH

Who doesn’t like breakfast?  No one –especially when it’s the Litchfield Jazz Fest Ladies Who Swing Jazz Brunch! Sunday, July 28 The Don Braden Band will back the dynamic Antoinette Montague saluting stars of jazz and blues across the years—women like Shirley Horn, Bessie Smith, Carrie Smith, Abby Lincoln Peggy Lee, and other greats. The location is the  pretty Bourne Courtyard at the Gunnery (rain location, the Virginia Hamilton Solley Dining Hall). Learn more about the brunch HERE

4. PARKING

The Gunnery has an extraordinarily beautiful campus and a stellar staff. BUT it is very short on parking.  To address this issue, we have reserved parking at  the Washington Primary School in Washington Depot.  Shuttles will take guests to and from the performances and special events locations.  Door to door service! If you need handicap access, we recommend contacting our main office at 860-361-6285 prior to 7/25 so that we can make arrangements for you in advance of your arrival.

For Tickets to any of the ticketed events and shows visit LJF2019.eventbrite.com.