Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival Set for Aug. 6
SPRINGFIELD — White Lion Brewing Co., in alliance with MGM Springfield, announced it will allocate partnered resources to expand and introduce new programming to the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Over the past few years, MGM has supported several events that attract hundreds of people to the downtown area, including last year’s Valley Fest. The alliance with White Lion to co-sponsor the 2016 Jazz & Roots Festival will help to further the collective mission of revitalizing Springfield through fun and diverse programming.
“MGM Springfield is proud to co-sponsor this year’s Jazz & Roots Festival, and watch it grow to be bigger and better than ever,” said Mike Mathis, president and COO of MGM Springfield. “Ray Berry and his team at White Lion Brewing Company share our values and passion for creating a sense of community and pride in the city of Springfield. We look forward to coming together with all of the participating organizations to deliver a great summer event for all to enjoy.”
White Lion Brewing Co., which launched in late 2014, is Springfield’s first craft-beer brand. White Lion introduced its signature event, Valley Fest, in 2015, with 51 participating craft brands, live entertainment, vendors, a home-brewing competition, and food-pairing demonstrations catering to 1,400 festival goers.
The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival was developed by Blues to Green Inc. in partnership with business, civic, and nonprofit leaders in Springfield, with the hope that people of many different communities could unite in the urban center of Western Mass. to share their love for music and art.
“Springfield is on the rebound, and its renaissance will have many contributors,” said event coordinator Evan Plotkin. “The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival is one very prominent example of one. Its primary contribution is to help change the psychology of the city and remind people of our incredible musical heritage and promote interest of its unique culture and diversity of people. Because of this alliance, the festival will be able to offer additional programming.”
Specifically, it aims to:
• Expand free jazz and roots music-education programs, presenting music labs and master classes allowing students from Springfield schools to receive advanced instruction or learn about the history of the music from legendary musicians;
• Develop a new indoor venue with activities that provide greater interaction with artists, explore the roots of jazz and American music, and spotlight the voices of Springfield; and
• Further develop participatory arts, allowing festival attendees of all ages to participate in hands-on creative activities.
In addition to expanded programming, there will be other attractions to enrich the overall experience. White Lion will coordinate two on-site beer gardens, and a food-truck area will be dedicated to the event. Visit www.springfieldjazzfest.com for event details, ongoing updates, and sponsorship opportunities.
