Jazzin’ at the Vanity Returns to Celebrate Music, Commemorate Juneteenth

Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI), in partnership with the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) and the National Endowment of the Arts, has announced the return of Jazzin’ at the Vanity, a free two-day jazz and blues street festival celebrating the culture and history of the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood and business district. The annual event is scheduled for … Continued

Jazzin’ at the Vanity Returns to Celebrate Music, Commemorate Juneteenth

Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI), in partnership with the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) and the National Endowment of the Arts, has announced the return of Jazzin’ at the Vanity, a free two-day jazz and blues street festival celebrating the culture and history of the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood and business district. The annual event is scheduled for Juneteenth weekend—Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19—and will take place in the historic Jefferson-Chalmers Business District between Newport and Lakewood streets from 12-9 p.m. on Saturday and 1-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Festivalgoers can expect live world-class jazz and blues performances spread across two stages, a wide variety of local vendors, food trucks and activities for the entire family supported by the City of Detroit, Box City, Detroit Circus and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy the creation of live public art installations designed by local Detroit artists to commemorate Juneteenth.

“We are thrilled to bring back Jazzin’ at the Vanity after canceling the last two years because of the pandemic,” said JEI CEO Josh Elling. “The Jefferson-Chalmers Business District has a rich history that we are committed to preserving and restoring. We’re excited to come together as a community once again to celebrate our local musicians, remember our history and reflect on the importance of Juneteenth.”

Performances will include Detroit’s own celebrated jazz saxophonist, James Carter, multi-Grammy-winning musical group, Ghost NoteMarion Hayden Legacy EnsembleJessica Care MooreBrandon WilliamsLouis Jones III QuartetAllen Dennard QuartetTbone Paxton/RJ Spangler Septet,  Charles Etcherson & This Way OutttTosha OwensDrew Shultz. and others.

Jazzin’ at the Vanity is made possible through the generous donations and support received by the MACC, NEA, The War Memorial, City of Detroit, Uhy LLP, SEM  and others. If your organization is interested in being a Jazzin’ at the Vanity sponsor, please visit the sponsorship page here. Applications for food service and craft vendors are available here and are due by Friday, June 3.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that every citizen and community in Michigan enjoys the civic, economic and educational benefit of arts and culture,” said MACC Director Alison Watson. “We are proud to support Jefferson East, Inc. once again in bringing Jazzin’ at the Vanity to the Detroit community.” 

“It is an honor to join forces once again with Jefferson East, Inc., Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment of the Arts for the return of Jazzin’ at the Vanity – celebrating the culture and legacy of the treasured Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood,” said The War Memorial President and CEO Charles Burke. “Nurturing these valuable partnerships is vital to providing access to arts, culture, and humanities from across the region and the country while supporting the preservation and commemoration of the historic Vanity Ballroom by way of music and comradery.”

For more information, please visit JazzinAtTheVanity.com, by emailing sunderwood@jeffersoneast.org or calling (313) 261-2947.