Jeff Gordon Day in Pittsboro, Indiana, July 23, 2015

Jeff Gordon at the 2014 Brickyard 400. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2014, all rights reserved.

By Josh Duke
Visit Hendricks County

A chance to win a Meet & Greet with Jeff Gordon, new live entertainment, children’s activities and expanded vendor booths have been added to the Jeff Gordon Day lineup on Thursday, July 23, 2015, in Pittsboro, Indiana. The event will include ongoing activites at Scamahorn Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fans can register for an exclusive Meet & Greet with the legendary NASCAR driver beginning at 9 a.m. at the Visit Hendricks County booth in the park. Registration for that giveaway will only last until 11:30 a.m., and only10 lucky fans will win.

At 10 a.m., the majority of the festivities start in the park including the band Fonda performing on stage, children’s activities from Stalhut amusements including bounce houses, bungee trampoline and more, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Street Team activities, show cars, a merchandise trailer and food vendors open.

The parade featuring Gordon will begin to roll down Main Street promptly at noon. An awards ceremony for Gordon on stage in the park will follow at 12:45 p.m. Activities will then continue in the park until 3 p.m.

What: Jeff Gordon Day

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Scamahorn Park in Pittsboro

Schedule:

9-11:30 a.m. – Sign up for Meet & Greet at Visit Hendricks County Booth in Scamahorn Park.
10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. – Vendor booths open, Fonda performs on the Main Stage.
Noon – Jeff Gordon Day Parade.
12:45 p.m. – Awards Ceremony in Scamahorn Park

17th Annual Indy Jazz Fest, Sept. 10-19, 2015

Indy Jazz Fest, Sept. 10-19, 2015. Image provided by the event organizers and used with written permission

By Jessica Redden
On behalf of Indy Jazz Fest

Indy Jazz Fest returns in 2015 with a 10-day lineup celebrating “The Year of the Song” in venues All Around Town September 10-19. The celebration of the Indianapolis jazz and arts scene will feature an impressive lineup, including three world-class performances as part of The Indy Jazz Fest Signature Series presented at the historic Madame Walker Theatre Center located on the legendary Indiana Avenue, the epicenter of Indianapolis’ rich jazz legacy.

Tickets for the Indy Jazz Fest Signature Series performances are on sale now at indyjazzfest.net. Enjoy a limited time preferred seating offer for Signature Series shows now through Thursday, June 18, including no ticket fees, early entry, lounge access, and the best seats in the house. Additional 2015 Indy Jazz Fest headliners will be announced in coming weeks. Signature Series pricing and show times are as follows:

Signature Series Lineup
Free parking will be available in the Madame Walker Theatre Center lots directly north and west of the theatre (adjacent to the IUPUI campus)
All shows priced at $60 preferred / $45 main level / $25 student
Doors open at 7 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. for preferred

• Friday, September 12 – 8 p.m. 
  Take 6
  Take 6 is the most awarded vocal group in history with 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, a Soul Train Award, and 7 Downbeat Awards. Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!’, Take 6 is the quintessential a cappella group and model for vocal genius. Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop.
• Tuesday, September 15 – 8 p.m. 
  Dianne Reeves presented by REI Real Estate
  featuring Peter Martin, Romero Lubambo, Reginald Veal and Terreon Gully
  Winner of the 2015 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, “Beautiful Life” showcases Dianne’s sublime gifts in what is a melding of R&B, Latin and pop elements within the framework of 21st Century jazz.
• Friday, September 18 – 8 p.m. 
  Jonathan Butler presented by Eskenazi Health
  South African expatriate Jonathan Butler’s laid-back, jazz-fusion tinged approach to R&B & groove has earned the singer / guitarist / songwriter / producer a lot of supporters in the contemporary jazz world. Butler has toured the world with such acclaimed artists as Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz and Ruby Turner.

Multiple Venues
Each day of the festival, visitors are welcomed into a new space where the interaction with music and fellow community members is exciting. Since 2009, the multiple venue approach continues to bring together the diversity of jazz styles with the history and culture embedded in some of the city’s most renowned performance locations. Throughout the 10 days, internationally renowned jazz artists will share the stage with the best in regional and local performers.  As the lineup continues to unfold, this year’s Fest will create a dynamic collage that offers something for everyone.

This year’s festival will also feature the return of the popular Pub Creep and the finale Block Party event.

Year-Round Reach
The importance of exposing people to jazz through performance and education is the top priority of Indy Jazz Fest and Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. The organization continues to develop a variety of educational programs and presentations founded on the belief that exposure, inspiration, and experiences are driving forces behind initiating involvement in jazz.

Sponsorship Information   
Indy Jazz Fest continues to be an example of community success through the dedication and support of its generous sponsors Eskenazi Health, Ameriprise Financial, Apparatus, REI Real Estate, Citizens Energy Group, The Law Firm of Foley & Abott, Scofield Edit, Brewers of Indiana Guild, The National Bank of Indianapolis, IU Health, Faegre Baker Daniels, Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown, IBM, North Coast Brewing, Printing Partners, DCG, Bohlsen Group, MacExperience, Coca Cola, Yinger Design, Mark Sheldon Photography and Yats.

Indy Jazz Fest is also made possible in part by the Lilly Endowment; Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation; The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate; The Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts; Arts Council and the City of Indianapolis; Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, in honor of the children and families of Christel House; The Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation and The Penrod Society.

Arts and community partnerships include The Jazz Kitchen, Chatterbox Jazz Club, Madame Walker Theatre, Indiana Landmarks Center, IndyGo, Indianapolis Central Library, American Pianists Association, University of Indianapolis, WICR 88.7, Jazz City Internet Radio, WFYI, Speedway Chamber of Commerce and Redevelopment Commission, Dallara Indycar Factory, Lino’s Coffee, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, The Cabaret at the Columbia Club, Butler University School of Music Jazz Studies Department, Rhythm! Discovery Center and the Percussive Arts Society plus the Pub Creep breweries.

A variety of support levels and special advantages have been designed to make sponsorship experiences both enjoyable and rewarding. Those interested in learning more about sponsoring the 2015 Indy Jazz Fest can contact us at (317) 966-7854 or david@indyjazzfest.net

The complete Indy Jazz Fest schedule is posted on AroundIndy.com at: http://aroundindy.com/jazzfest.php.

About Indy Jazz Fest
The mission of Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest is to preserve the legacy and promote the future of jazz in Indianapolis through education and performance. A celebration of community and culture that showcases jazz music in a variety of great venues across the city, Indy Jazz Fest has become a cultural icon since its start in 1999. With an increased emphasis on jazz education, Indy Jazz Fest has expanded from just one day to an entire experience, ultimately benefiting the Indianapolis arts community throughout the year by creating meaningful links between jazz education and the city’s jazz performance scene.  Indy Jazz Fest is the preeminent performance event of Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and will ultimately reach upwards of 34,000 people through a combination of performances, workshops, school concerts, master classes, and community partnerships, as an integral cog in the Indianapolis arts scene. The 2015 Indy Jazz Fest will take place September 10-19, 2015.  For more information, visit www.indyjazzfest.net.