Sask JazzFest returns to Saskatoon
'We're on day four, so our first two days, we call them breakout programing. We were all over the city of Saskatoon and then we just opened Victoria Park site yesterday on July 5th,' Shannon Josdal, the Executive Director of SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival said.
The 'Strictly Jazz Series' has been showcasing several artists throughout the week. While the series isn't necessarily the main event, it is still quite special to many.
The Victoria Park events also have free admission for the first four days, for anyone to stop by and enjoy prior to the ticketed program which kicks off on Wednesday.
'Folks can really look forward to a really diverse and exciting group of artists,' Josdale said.
A little rain didn't stop people from gathering for some of the free programming in the park on Sunday.
'Folks are really enjoying the community feel. They love coming down to the park ... I'm biased, but I believe that the Saskatoon Co-op Beer Gardens is the best beer selection in Saskatoon. We have so many great, local craft brewers featured there,' Josdale said.
Many festivals took a hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival was no exception. While the effects of the pandemic have eased up, there are still challenges when it comes to organizing events like the Jazz Festival.
'We were starting to feel that things were turning the corner in 2024, and we had our biggest ticketed show ever in 2024, really had a good year. Then with all of the economic uncertainty and tariff talk, it really threw the industry right back. So, it's two steps forward, one step back,' Josdale explained.
However, the executive director is optimistic that the community support will keep Jazzfest alive and thriving in Saskatchewan for many years to come.
'We've had a lot of challenges and we continue to face them. But we do feel very loved and supported by the community right now,' Josdale added.
'So, we're just going to keep doing what we do best and working through those challenges one day at a time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Downtown Winnipeg theatre still searching for new owner
CTV's Harrison Shin takes a look at the Towne 8 Cinema, which closed two years ago and is still looking for a buyer. CTV's Harrison Shin takes a look at the Towne 8 Cinema, which closed two years ago and is still looking for a buyer. Inside the Towne 8 Cinemas, a clock remains frozen at six o'clock—a symbolic stillness that matches the building's current state. The theatre, located on Notre Dame Avenue, first opened its doors in 1981 and marked a turning point in how Canadians watched movies. 'It was Canada's first freestanding eight-screen theatre,' said Rennie Zegalski, principal at Capital Commercial Real Estate Services. 'It was quite a highlight at the time.' For four decades, the theatre welcomed moviegoers before it was put up for sale in January 2023. Interest came quickly, Zegalski said, with an offer arriving almost immediately. But two years later, the building remains on the market. 'It was tied up for a number of months,' Zegalski explained. 'That offer was for a new multifamily development, but unfortunately, the financing couldn't be put together.' According to Zegalski, the asking price is currently $2.25 million, with the potential to redevelop the property into an eight-storey residential building—possibly more, pending city approval. 'This site has the ability for greater density and more units,' Zegalski said. 'The owner is still open to any reasonable offers.' If sold and redeveloped, the closure of Towne 8 Cinemas would officially mark the end of first-run movie theatres in downtown Winnipeg. That's part of a broader trend, according to Jino Distasio, professor at the University of Winnipeg. 'It's part of a bigger restructuring,' Distasio said. 'We saw big-box theatres open up in malls and suburban areas. The downtown is now left without a single first-run movie screen—aside from Cinematheque, which shows really great movies, but not the blockbusters.' While some still hope for a creative reuse of the space, Distasio thinks the wrecking ball might come. 'It's starting to look more likely that we're talking about a major redevelopment of that site,' he said. 'Unless someone finds an adaptive reuse for an old multiplex theatre.'
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
What's next for Towne 8
CTV's Harrison Shin takes a look at the Towne 8 Cinema, which closed two years ago and is still looking for a buyer.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Money problems forcing N.L. Folks Arts Society, annual festival to likely shutter
Due to financial strain, the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival will likely be the last, says board president Julie Vogt. (Mark Cumby/CBC) After nearly 50 years of highlighting the arts, along with traditional and folk music, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival could be taking its final bow — along with the folk arts society that runs it. Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt told CBC News financial constraints continue to hamper the effort this summer, and it's looking likely that year's festival will be the final one, and the society itself will also shutter. "I encourage everyone to allow us to go out with grace, get your tickets for this last folk festival. Remember all the wonderful feels that you've ever had and come celebrate with us because that's what it's going to be — a celebration," she told CBC News on Monday. The tipping point was missing out on a multi-year ArtsNL grant that the society had hoped to land to sustain its operation. In an email to members on Friday, Vogt wrote the new board found it highly unlikely it could raise an additional $75,000 to fill the gap left behind from the ArtsNL money. The board also assessed an "extremely low" probability that ticket sales for this year's festival would meet even a "modest budget." But this summer's event will go ahead as planned, running from July 11 to July 13 in Bannerman Park in downtown St. John's. Vogt said the society had a $140,000 fundraising goal, and landed just $8,000 short. "We were that close," she said. The festival itself costs about $192,000 to pull off. That's before a ticket is sold or performers are paid. The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society could likely shut down after this year's festival. (Submitted by Alick Tsui) Vogt said she's disappointed the festival couldn't reach its 50th year, and big plans were in the making. "It's gut-wrenching, but we are going to give you the best folk festival we can with the small number of people that we have to do it," she said. Vogt also offered reassurance that performers scheduled to perform will be paid and the festival will be the same festival people are familiar with. As for the future, Vogt said there would need to be a miracle to keep the society and festival going, such as an angel investor and support from the public. While small donations are welcomed, she encouraged people to buy tickets for this year's event, too. It's not the first time the society and its festival have been on shaky ground. In January, then-president Deborah Coombs announced temporary layoffs of five staffers due to rising costs having an impact on the bottom line. Members of the Salt Beef Junkies are hoping enough people buy tickets to keep the festival alive. (CBC) Then, Vogt revealed in March, the festival was in danger of closing due to heavy financial strain, as the 2024 event left the society with over $100,000 in debt . In response, the society appealed to the public to help raise funds, and launched a "Save our Festival" campaign. In April Vogt said $23,000 was raised, the 2025 event would go ahead and they were pursuing more corporate sponsorships. Youth programming impacted The society also has youth programs that support young people interested in traditional music. Those include members of the musical trio the Salt Beef Junkies, who learned to play from older mentors through the society's Young Folk at the Hall program. "That's the sad part about this news, about today, is that well, it's been our childhood," Ty Simms told CBC News on Monday. "That's how a lot of young musicians get their first big gig in Newfoundland." The trio is opening up the festival on the main stage this year, and are hoping they can draw enough people to keep the society alive. "Hopefully more funding does come, because the Folk Festival is probably one of the best festivals in the province," said accordion player Luke Mercer. Simms said the festival helps keep young people interested in Newfoundland music. "If you have kids, if you have even teenagers, who are looking into new music or even just want to come hear in Newfoundland music … go support the Newfoundland Folk Festival." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page
