Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, a program of the Flynn, produced in association with Burlington City Arts, returns to Downtown Burlington June 4-13. One of the largest annual events in Vermont, the festival is nationally recognized as an outstanding cross-section of contemporary jazz, and is renowned for welcoming up-and-coming artists, of-the-moment sensations, and established icons. This year, we are excited to offer free shows throughout, at different sites in and around Burlington, so that everyone has the opportunity to rediscover the healing power of live music. All week, artists will showcase a fusion of styles and cultures, embracing togetherness, spontaneity, and musical alchemy in a spirited celebration of community.
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50 SAXOPHONES on the burlington waterfront
This year’s Burlington Discover Jazz festival is a celebration of our many communities reuniting after more than a year of loss and isolation. So what better way to launch the festival than with a participatory community procession on the Burlington waterfront? Any and all saxophonists in the area are invited to join in this moment of chaotic and harmonious communal release. Friday, June 4 at 6 pm.
Main Street Block Party
The festival builds up to a climactic block party performance on June 12. With a stage right on Main Street, under the iconic Flynn marquee, the whole City Hall Park block of Downtown Burlington will unite for a celebratory block party bash.
Concerts in
city hall park
The main hub for the festival is the newly redesigned and reopened City Hall Park, where free outdoor concerts feature prominently throughout the week. Beloved local and national acts keep the energy high in Downtown Burlington with afternoon and twilight shows nearly every day.
Virtual Events
This year is focused on recapturing the magic of live music, but we can’t leave behind the virtual world that has become so deeply ingrained over the last year. Built into the festival is a series of creative virtual events featuring local artists who embrace the accessibility and instant connection of the medium. Watch on June 7, 8, and 9.
School Bands on
Church Street
One of the great aspects of the jazz festival is having homegrown student musicians sharing a billing with world-famous jazz musicians. This tradition continues with concerts from excellent local school bands, playing on Church Street Marketplace stage on June 7, 8, and 9.
Flicks in the Park
When the sun gets low on June 10, Burlington City Arts curates a jazz-themed movie night in City Hall Park. A large ensemble will improvise live music over a fun and engaging picture. Usually music accompanies the movie; this event flips that notion.
Live at Nectar's
A number of hot touring acts will play at Nectar’s throughout the week. These are sure to be some of the grooviest showcases of the festival, and a great reminder of the energy of live jazz in a hip club setting. Shows on June 4, 6, 10, and 11. (Note: Nectar’s shows are the only ticketed events during the festival; the rest are free and open to the public).
hurly burly
Hurly Burly is back! In this reprise of the unique and popular Hurly Burly series that the Flynn conceived last summer, we’ll host pop-up concerts at different spots around town—including Roosevelt Park (June 5), Starr Farm Park (June 6), and Smalley Park (June 13)—with top-notch performers playing from the back of a flatbed truck.
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