IT'S AN AGE OLD QUESTION: YA LIKE JAZZ? (And by 'age old' we mean circa 2007 when The Bee Movie came out. Duh.) Eau Claire's answer to that is a sound 'yes,' as evident in the Clearwater Jazz & Art Festival. The free-to-attend, multi-day event returns Aug. 21-23 this year at the Brewing Projekt.

If you’re ready to kick back and relax with some local beer and smooth, sultry sounds, look no further than the Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival! The fifth annual event – slated for Aug. 21-23 at the Brewing Projekt (1807 N Oxford Ave, Eau Claire) – promises more music, art, and creative culture than ever before.

Co-organizers Leighton Hahn and Joe Lustek, along with event coordinators Cathy Reitz and Marilyn Lustek, have worked hard to put together a jam-packed itinerary to ensure this year’s event is the best one yet. Guests can not only expect the same incredible art and groovin’ tunes as years prior, but can also look forward to an additional evening of talent; expanding Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival into a three-day extravaganza. 

This year’s festival will kick off on Thursday night (Aug. 21) with an evening of spoken word, featuring locally acclaimed poets accompanied by some familiar faces providing moody tunes in the background.

As the Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival enters its fifth year, Hahn reflects on just how far the event has come, saying “We started with just two jazz bands at our first festival and have 19 jazz acts participating this year.”

"This event is a testament to the talented jazz musicians here in Eau Claire. It's a beautiful reminder of the artistic community we've all curated."

LEIGHTON HAHN

CO-ORGANIZER, CLEARWATER JAZZ & ART FESTIVAL

Sue Orfield and fellow musicians performing while folks grooved (or sat to soak in the ambiance) and danced.

Performing musicians will range from well-known local talent like Cathy Reitz and 7Swing and Weapons of Brass Destruction, to incredible acts from all over the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

Event goers will also get the chance to see the creative collaboration between writer Andi Kopek and The Tyler Lustek Confluence, as they bring Kopek’s debut poetry collection, Shmehara, to life through artistic instrumentation. The piece, which has received accolades in the literary world and beyond, is a testament to Kopek’s ability to combine his vast array of talents spanning from visual art and animation to written word. Shemehara is just one of the numerous immersive and innovative offerings attendees will have the opportunity to experience.

While the festival continues to evolve and expand with its various aesthetic and musical offerings, its integrity and heart remains the same. The weekend serves as a celebratory reminder of the creative culture Eau Claire continues to nourish, and speaks to how powerfully art exists in our city.

“We love that this is a free event where people can hear incredible music and see amazing fine art from local musicians and artists," Lustek said. “We are so proud of how it brings incredible music and art to our community.”

Hahn echoes this sentiment, and is proud of how the festival continues to expand year after year. “This event is a testament to the talented jazz musicians here in Eau Claire,” Hahn said. “It’s a beautiful reminder of the artistic community we’ve all curated.”

Tyler Lustek, pictured on piano, performing at The Plus (208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire).

The Clearwater Jazz and Art Festival (free to attend) will kick off at 6pm on Thursday, Aug. 21, and continue through Saturday, Aug. 23, with live music, curated art experiences, food trucks, and more. For additional information visit www.leauclairejazzsociety.com.