Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival The TAC created the Jazz Festival in 2004 to provide jazz education within an entertaining experience and to perpetuate an American art form by helping to build an appreciation of jazz. High school and middle school bands primarily from western Michigan participate. During the day on Saturday, the school bands perform and receive a clinic from professional jazz musicians. On Saturday evening there is a performance by the All Star High School Jazz Band followed by the headliner concert from a professional jazz group. 2008 Jazz Festival click here for a complete festival schedule click here for 2008 jazz festival photographs! Approved by the International Association For Jazz Education The Fifth Annual Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival sponsored by Hastings City Bank will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2008. Beginning at noon and into the evening on Friday, the Festival offers free concerts in downtown Hastings at various venues including MainStreet Bank which will host the steel drum band, Third Coast Steel. Other Friday venues include Back Door Deli, County Seat Restaurant & Lounge, Hastings Library, Jefferson Street Gallery, Hastings City Bank, Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, and State Grounds Coffee House. click here for a complete festival schedule click here for 2008 jazz festival photographs! High school and middle school bands from numerous West Michigan School Districts are participating and will perform on Saturday at Central Auditorium (Central Elementary School, 509 S. Broadway Street) and receive clinics from Mind's Eye, a jazz quartet from Grand Rapids. On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., the High School All Star band consisting of representatives from each of the participating schools will perform. Immediately following is a concert by the headliner band, the Cool Moose Orchestra from Ann Arbor. The Fifth Annual Jazz Festival is made possible with support by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Tickets for the Saturday evening performances are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, and $5.00 for children under the age of 12 accompanied by an adult. For information call 269-945-2002 or email tacbc@wmis.net. Go back to programs page.