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
National Post
29 minutes ago
- National Post
'Toronto, Canada, I love you' Masai Ujiri says goodbye to Toronto
Masai Ujiri said goodbye to Toronto and Canada in an emotional video released Monday morning just over a week after his dismissal as president and vice chairman of the Toronto Raptors. Article content 'Toronto, Canada, I love you. Country that welcomed me. The city that became home. This bond we share will last forever,' Ujiri says as the video begins with Ujiri walking onto the court at Scotiabank Arena. Article content Article content 'As I look back at more than a decade of heartfelt moments, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. For my family, our incredible players, the dedicated staff, and the Raptors fans. Now a new chapter begins, but your love will always be with me,' Ujiri says. Article content 'Basketball brought me here, but beyond this beautiful game, we are always connected. And for that, I am so thankful.' Article content Article content Article content The nearly six-minute-long video shows Ujiri connecting with various Raptors players, staffers, fans, Canadian and international dignitaries and more. Article content He is shown embracing his predecessor Bryan Colangelo, who first brought Ujiri to Toronto in 2008 before Ujiri left to helm the Denver Nuggets two years later, Jeff Weltman, who helped get him to Denver the first time and then served as his right-hand man before leaving to be boss in Orlando, Bobby Webster, Ujiri's protege and the team's current head of basketball operations, long-time coach Dwane Casey and many others. Article content Of course there are appearances by Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Drake and plenty more too. Article content 'You made this big city feel like home, because it is home,' Ujiri says while footage of Toronto's championship parade, various Giants of Africa events and Raptors engagements are shown featuring Ujiri and his wife and children. Article content 'It's the only home all of My children have known. Their friends and community have helped shape them who they are, and they'll have lasting impact on who they will all become. My wife, Ramatu, has built roots here that will last a lifetime.' Article content Ujiri's return in 2013, when he was hired by former Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Tim Leiweke is shown, with Ujiri saying then: 'I'm home.' Article content
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
'You just feel so seen': the beauty of Beverly Glenn-Copeland's work
Beverly Glenn-Copeland is an inspiration to many people. The 81-year-old Canadian is best known for his appearances on Mr. Dressup, but he also composed music for Sesame Street, produced his own electronic music and is a transgender elder. Glenn-Copeland just released the pilot of his new children's TV show, C aring Cabin. However, this will be the only episode of the show because of Glenn-Copeland's struggle with dementia. Today on Commotion, guest host Rad Simonpillai speaks with film critic Sarah-Tai Black to talk about Caring Cabin and their love for Glenn-Copeland.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Halifax Pride to host first ‘Gaylidh,' brings back active living events
Crystal Garrett speaks with the executive director of Halifax Pride about this year's celebration. Halifax Pride will kick off July 17 this year, with 11 days of events to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Halifax Pride Parade will take place July 19 at noon along with other events such as the Back to Our Roots Picnic and Market at the Garrison Grounds on July 17, the Halifax Naked Peace Protest Ride and March on July 20 and Aqua Drag Fitness on July 21. Executive Director of Halifax Pride Fiona Kerr said the 'Gaylidh' – a gay Ceilidh – has been in the works for a few years but will take place for the first time at this year's event. 'Finally, this year we're partnering with Neptune Theatre, and we have some really great performers, a few from Cape Breton, a few from here,' Kerr told CTV Morning Live host Crystal Garrett. 'It's going to be a really fun night.' Halifax Pride features over 150 community and Pride organized events. The Halifax Pride Society engages with several queer groups and individuals throughout the year to help plan events that best support and celebrate the community at large. This year is also bringing back active living events for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerr said. Some events such as Aqua Drag Fitness and Zumba Drag Fitness are in partnership with the John W. Lindsay YMCA. 'There's something for everybody,' Kerr said. The Halifax Pride Parade is the main event and features several accessibility sections. 'Our parade has multiple accessible viewing areas,' Kerr said. 'We have a described viewing area for folks who are blind, we have a low sensor viewing area inside the YMCA for folks who want a bit of a quieter space, we also have a masked viewing area if anyone wants to be specifically with other masked folks.' The event will also be lived-streamed for anyone who wants to watch from home. Kerr also said Pride is especially important this year, to not only celebrate, but to create more safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 'Now it's a little bit less about celebrating and more about showing up and creating spaces because as the spaces become more unsafe for our community, we have to continue to grow so those people do have space where they can be with each other,' Kerr said. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
