FOUR MEANS MORE: Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival Returns for a Fourth Year
annual free event at Brewing Projekt grows to two days, Aug. 23-24
Are you looking for a sensational way to take in some local talent this summer? Good, because that’s literally one of our favorite things to tell you about. This month, the Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival returns for its fourth year – and it’s bigger, better, and ...”band-ier” than ever.
It’s no surprise that this year’s event promises to provide all things jazzy, artsy, and delicious – however, the high-level adjectives don’t stop there. Rated as one of The Brewing Projekt’s top events, this year’s festivities – which start Friday evening, Aug. 23, and continue all day Saturday, Aug. 24 – expand on the incredible artistic culture curated here in the Chippewa Valley.
“This festival generates so much excitement because the talented musicians and artists are our friends and neighbors,” co-organizer Joe Lustek says. “The energy and excitement shared between the musicians, artists, and audience is electric!” Attendees will get to tap their toes to a few local fan favorites including Weapons of Brass Destruction, Cathy Reitz & 7Swing, Tyler Lustek Confluence, and Josh Gallagher Orchestra.
The festival strives to captivate every corner of creative excellence, and this year is no exception. From a collection of Judy Garland favorites and an Irish Fusion band, to live paintings and fine art pieces, there will be no shortage of sweetness for all the senses. The weekend will also serve as a tribute to beloved local artist and Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival co-founder, Christy Skuban, whose passing earlier this year left an irreplaceable absence in the art community.
“The energy and excitement shared between the musicians, artists, and audience is electric!”
“We started as a small event and now are attracting jazz musicians literally all over the country,” says organizer and founder Leighton Hahn. “Whether people are looking for a jazz tap dancer or interactive art – we’ll have it all. We’ll even have an augmented reality art experience attendees can get involved with.”
While the Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival strives to amplify the artistic community in Eau Claire, it also serves as a way for creative folks of every age to get the much-needed exposure their passion deserves. This year’s festival will even feature collaborative educational pieces put together by local high schoolers. “It’s a great way for young people to get their feet wet when it comes to playing professionally,” Lustek says. “We’re excited to give them that opportunity.”
The showrunners also stress that though the weekend has a jam-packed itinerary, local musicians are encouraged to come by with their horns, winds, and every jazz instrument to join the hourlong jam session at 9pm to round out a great day of music.
Not only does year four boast a bigger and busier event, but organizers have also added an extra day to enjoy the festivities! This year, the Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival will take over The Brewing Projekt both Friday and Saturday, meaning there’s no reason to miss a minute of this free festival. “We love seeing the local jazz musicians and fine art artists get the exposure they deserve,” Hahn says. “The community doesn’t have to go to Minneapolis or Chicago to see quality jazz musicians or fine art. We have it here in Eau Claire.”
The Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival is slated for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24, at The Brewing Projekt, 1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire • FREE • For the full itinerary of the event as well as more information on the artists, food trucks, and community involvement, visit the Clearwater Jazz and Art festival website and follow them on Facebook
