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Denver Jazz Festival


Denver Vintage Jazz Festival is THREE days of world-class music held in the Mile-High City of Denver, Colorado.

This early-era throwback party appeal is unrivaled in Denver located in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Our one-of-a-kind Vintage festival focuses primarily on vintage jazz and blues of the 1920’s, 1930’s & 1940’s. Each venue features a spacious dance floor, and there are workshops, classes and lectures available from internationally renowned instructors during the daytime hours through our sister event Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout.

We mix in locals along with top name bands, to help bolster the local music economy, and employ/educate local musicians on playing this style of music.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS - Based on guidelines from the CDC, state authorities, and local guidelines, this event is now a VACCINATED ONLY event and MASKS will be REQUIRED at all indoor venues. We will keep you updated on policies/procedures for safety via website, event registration emails, and at all venues.

Buy Tickets

Tickets now available!

VIP Denver Jazz Festival Pass - Your VIP Denver Jazz Festival Pass includes
- Early access to all 3 nights of Denver Jazz Festival sessions.
- Access to Harvest Moon Ball Session.
- Reserved VIP table seating during live music sessions. All other seating is first come, first served.
- Denver Jazz Festival logo swag gift.
- Recognition in our newsletter for your support of CMDance’s mission.
- Access to all dance workshops held by our sister events Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout in swing, blues, jazz, and balboa dances held during the daytime at additional venues.

All Access Pass - Your All Access Pass includes:
- 3 nights of live music at Denver Jazz Festival.
- Access to Harvest Moon Ball Session.
- Access to all dance workshops held by our sister events Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout in swing, blues, jazz, and balboa dances held during the daytime at additional venues.

After 7pm - Music & Dances Pass - Your Evening Pass includes:
- 3 nights of live music at Denver Jazz Festival.
- Access to Harvest Moon Ball Session.
- This does not include any workshops, classes or lectures run by our sister events Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout held during the day. However, you may always purchase individual sessions as an add-on at the door.

This event is produced by Denver based non-profit CMDance.

COVID

We've been hard at work and discussing many constantly changing variables, and are continuing to meet weekly to address the challenges of holding a dance event with safety in mind. Previously, we had announced a vaccination only policy at our event and we want to continue to communicate the other precautions that are integral to our event.

If you are sick, do not attend.

If you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID19, kindly get a negative test before attending our events.

Vaccinated Only - Required Proof

We are requiring proof of being fully vaccinated via a vaccination card (either physically or digitally/picture) to be verified by our team before allowing entry to our event. No exceptions.

People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Meaning you will have to have received your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna shot OR your single shot of Janssen by Thursday, September 2nd, 2021! Any vaccination cards incomplete or after listing shots after that date do not qualify.

We have checked many options for processing your vaccination cards pre-event to better streamline the check-in process. If you are able to, please send a photo of your vaccination card and a photo ID to our e-mail EVENTS@CMDANCE.ORG.

Our team will cross check and update our check-in process ahead of time. We still strongly advise you to bring the physical card or a photo as many businesses and places are now asking for proof, and it's always good to have bring it in case there is a technology error.

Masks Required

Due to the increasing rates of transmission, the increasing risks of the new COVID-19 variants, and directives from the CDC/State guidance, CMDance, Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout will require masks indoors at the event. As you already know, all public forms of transportation including ride shares currently require the use of masks. We will still have additional masks available on site.

Venues with quality ventilation

Studio Loft & McNichols buildings are run by the City of Denver. The City has gone above and beyond the CDC guidelines for air quality and cleanliness. Most city buildings were Denver 5 star certified while the program lasted and still maintain all practices and more to be qualified for the program. Signage is posted in areas, hand sanitizer in multiple locations around the building, only Hepa filters are used for the HVAC, as well as pumping outside air in at all times, while pushing inside air back out of the building. The facilities get cleaned numerous times a day and all high touch areas are cleaned and wiped down by the hour. All Covid-19/Variant precautions are used to maintain the building, staff, and patrons at all times. The Denver Turnverein has high ceilings, air filters cycling to clean the air, hand sanitizer and posted signage.

Free PPE readily available

Our team will have individual hand sanitizers and masks available for free to all attendees.

More lenient refund policy

We want to encourage everyone to make the best decision for themselves and their community. CMDance is extending their refund policy to August 31st for anyone needing to change their decision to attend. Starting September 1st, we will prioritize pushing your registration onto an event of your choice in 2022 over refunds. If you get sick leading up to or during the event, please stay home or isolate immediately. Don't hesitate to reach out about a refund or pushing registration onto an event next year.

We understand that these changes to our policies may alter your plans to attend the Lindy on the Rocks & Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout. We will be as flexible as possible regarding your decision. Please reach out to info@cmdance.org with any questions or concerns related to attending the LOTR/RMBB event, and our enhanced COVID19 related protocols.

We are working as hard as possible to make this year’s event an incredible and memorable experience that you have grown to love.

2021 Artists

2021 Featured Bands and All-Star Artists:

Charles Turner

Charles Turner, Brooklyn based jazz vocalist and songwriter has take the New York City scene by storm. Turner has held residencies, hosted, and performed at venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Smoke Jazz club and the historic Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. International performances include, Pizza Express, in London, Sunside Sunset in Paris, Sala Claomores in Madrid, and more venues abroad from Seoul, South Korea to Wellington New Zealand.

Turner’s Sophomore Album “ Single & In Love” , produced by Grammy award winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. has received critical acclaim and continues to play all across the world. Berklee College of Music Graduate, he has extended his educational value by teaching at The American School of Modern Music in Paris, France in 2017 & 18. Then then participated in “ Jazz for Young People” at JALC and conducted Masterclasses in various high schools and Universities such as N.Y.U.

Charles’ passion to bring swing and jazz to listeners of all generations and backgrounds proceeds through his new band and project Charles Turner & Uptown Swing. Bringing the Swing and Spirit of Harlem to music lovers and dancers around the world. Vibrant Swing , Virtuosic Bebop & Vital Blues, The band extends music from the swing era to present under the umbrella of swing .

Vocalist, Composer, & Educator, moving forward to bring this incredible music to the people ; Turner holds the torch of the past and brings it along with him to present day for all to experience , embrace, and enjoy.

Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles Jazz Band Ft. Huneedoo

As Denver's premier jazz band, Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles are known for their high energy shows, original music, and their appeal to all generations. The band pulls their influence from 1930’s and 40’s swing music, 1940’s and 50’s Rhythm & Blues, and even some hip-hop and neo-soul can find its way into the pickle jar. True artisans, The Spicy Pickles are here to provide an experience that is unparalleled. The Pickles play locally in Colorado, and also regularly tour the country to play for events of all kinds.

Venues

Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House

1400 Curtis St. Denver, CO 80202

The Studio Loft is an 8,000 sq ft performance, rehearsal and event space with a cathedral ceiling, exposed brick, warm-colored walls, a 3,000sf wood dance floor. The Studio Loft is located in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Venue has ample dance space, limited seating, and a bar for you to enjoy the music each evening.

Sponsors

The Denver Jazz Festival is brought to you by Community-Minded Dance, best known in the Denver area as CMDance.

We rely on our loyal sponsors, partners and our incredible dancers from all over the world to keep our organization intact. With your support we are able to fulfill our mission of building healthy, thriving communities through world-class arts education programs that bring the global culture of both solo and partnered vernacular dancing to Colorado youth and adults.

We encourage your support of cmDance through The Denver Jazz Festival. We sincerely hope you will make a commitment to partner with us in sponsorship of this event which not only strengthens our relationship but will surely add the success of your organization.

Thank you to our loyal sponsors* for over 15 years!

Westerra Credit Union

ZoZo Group

Hawley Family Foundation

William Marcus

Carol Morris

Jeffrey Brenman

Ann Ehli

Lynn Herrington

Phelps Family Foundation

Burgess Trust

Denver Foundation

Colorado Creative Industries

100s of Colorado Gives Day Donors

Sticker Mule

*This list is not all inclusive, as we have numerous anonymous sponsors!

Schedule

**Full Schedule coming soon** Our Full Schedule for all three festivals that run in conjunction with each other.

Schedule Subject to Change

Friday
7:30pm Doors Open to Studio Loft for VIP only
7:45pm General Admission
8:00pm Harvest Moon Ball
9:00 pm Charles Turner & Uptown Swing Band
1:00am Event Ends
**Special dance performances throughout the night

Saturday
7:30pm Doors Open to Studio Loft for VIP only
7:45pm General Admission
8:00-9:00pm Cocktail Party with special performances
9:00pm Charles Turner & Uptown Swing Band
12:00am Event Ends
**Special dance performances throughout the night

Sunday
8:30pm Doors Open to Studio Loft for VIP only
8:45pm General Admission
9:00pm Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles Jazz Band Ft. Huneedoo
1:00am Event Ends
**Special dance performances throughout the night