Shout! Omaha

You’ve Got Questions– We’ve Got Answers

Q&A: The who, what, where for Jazz on the Green 2010

What is Jazz on the Green?
Jazz on the Green is Omaha’s popular outdoor jazz and blues concert series – a summer tradition dating back to 1985. It was held on the lawn of the Joslyn Art Museum for 25 years. This summer, Omaha Performing Arts is bringing this sensational event to a revitalized and expanded Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.

Why the switch from Joslyn Art Museum to Turner Park?
Omaha Performing Arts announced in January that it would adopt the concert series from Joslyn Art Museum, a move designed to expand the event’s reach in the community. Now, in partnership with Midtown Crossing, Jazz on the Green has found a larger, centrally located home in Turner Park. This change of venue ensures the future of the Omaha favorite while enhancing the audience experience.

When will the series take place? Who will be performing?
The series will continue to be free of charge and will take place Thursday evenings, July 8- August 12, 2010.

• Thursday, July 8 - Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

• Thursday, July 15 - TIZER

• Thursday, July 22 - The Sugar Thieves

• Thursday, July 29 - Prairie Cats with Grand Marquis

• Thursday, August 5 - Orquesta Alto Maiz

• Thursday, August 12 - Luigi Inc

Where will the concerts take place? Is the space big enough to hold everyone?
Omaha Performing Arts Presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing will be held in the bowl of Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, located at 31st and Dodge streets. You might be surprised to learn that the green space where Jazz on the Green will now be held is actually larger than the space at the Joslyn Art Museum. It will comfortably accommodate the same number of patrons, if not more.

Can I bring in my own food and drink?
You’re welcome to bring your own refreshments – food and beverages (including beer, wine, and champagne) – to Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing. Chairs and blankets are also welcome. Hard liquor is not permitted and neither are tents, stakes or open fires.

Where can I park?
Mutual of Omaha will also open its three surface parking lots to the public for free beginning at 5 p.m. Mutual of Omaha’s surface lots are located at 36th and Dodge streets; between 35th Avenue and 34th Street off of Dodge street; and at 35th and Farnam streets. Just look for the Jazz on the Green signs at the entrances.

I’ve heard there’s an event shuttle. Do I have to pay to use it? Where should I park and wait for it to pick me up?
Midtown Crossing is implementing a free event shuttle. Service will begin the evening of Friday, July 2 and will continue every Friday and Saturday evening thereafter. The shuttle will also run on Thursday evenings during Omaha Performing Arts Presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing concerts, beginning July 8. More specifics about the route and hours will be released soon.

Will I be able to hear the music and see the stage, considering the traffic and landscaping at Turner Park?
Omaha Performing Arts is well-versed in presenting outdoor music events. We fully expect that sound will be well-managed. The bowl at Turner Park offers direct sight lines to the stage.

Is there a plan for inclement weather?
The media will be notified if weather will affect the performance. The plans for the evening’s performance will be posted on several websites: OmahaPerformingArts.org and TicketOmaha.com, as well as on JazzOnTheGreenOmaha.com, Facebook.com/JazzOnTheGreen, and Twitter.com/JazzOnTheGreen.