The Rochester International Jazz Festival's fourth year is its biggest so far, and seeing your favorite acts may take a little planning.
Three concert series
Eastman Theatre Series: Headliner shows are held in the Eastman Theatre (60 Gibbs Street). These are ticketed shows; a Club Pass doesn't work here. All shows are at 8 p.m. Tickets, which range from $27.50 to $65, are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, 232-1900) or Ticket Express (885 East Main Street, 222-5000).
Club Series Pass: A Club Pass is your ticket to the Club Series: You can go to as many concerts as you'd like (100-plus) at smaller clubs and venues. A Club Pass is $75 before June 10; $85 after June 10. If you don't have a Club Pass you can still buy tickets ($15-$20) to the Club Pass Series concerts at the door, if space is available. But be advised that Club Pass shows tend to sell out. Even if you have a Pass, you should get there early. Admission is space-limited.
The best thing about the pass is the sense of freedom and serendipity it affords. You can walk from venue to venue, sampling everything until you find an act that you like. Some of the best are bound to be acts you've never heard of. If you're going to more than four or five shows, get the pass.
The Club Pass is available at www.rochesterjazz.com (service charges apply), at Ticketmaster (232-1900, www.ticketmaster.com), or in person at the Ticket Express Box office at 885 East Main Street, 222-5000.
The Club Pass venues are:
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs Street
RIJF Club Pass Big Tent, the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets
Max of Eastman Place, 387 East Main Street
Milestones, 170 East Avenue
Montage Grille, 50 Chestnut Plaza
Little Theatre, 240 East Avenue
State Street Bar and Grill, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street
Jazz Street: RIJF turns Gibbs Street into Jazz Street on the two festival weekends. There is food and drink to buy, the street is blocked to traffic, and there's music in the air. All shows at the three Jazz Street-adjacent stages are free (yes FREE). Check them out: The Jazz Street Stage (corner of Gibbs Street and East Avenue), East Avenue Stage (corner of East Avenue and Chestnut Street), and The Chrysler Performance Area (East Main and Gibbs Streets).
Parking
Parking for all East End venues can be found in the East End parking garage at the corner of Scio Street and East Avenue. All other venues will have on-site parking available.
More info
There are two websites for information on RIJF: www.rochester-citynews.com and www.rochesterjazz.com.
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