Metro Arts Jazz in July is a month-long festival that celebrates jazz and art with free outdoor concerts across Greater Des Moines. Each year, interested jazz musicians apply to be a part of the series. The selected list includes returning musicians from Central Iowa and national acts with Iowa ties. Each concert is a mini-festival experience with local artists, children’s activities, and food and drink vendors.
Hopefully you can make it out to one of the concerts in the upcoming month.
7/1 – Orquesta Alto Maiz opening for Des Moines Symphony’s Yankee Doodle Pops at State Capitol Grounds, West Terrace
7/2 – Whitney Marchelle Jackson hosted by 6th Avenue Corridor and DMACC at 1600 6th Ave
7/3 – Java Jews hosted by Music Under the Stars at State Capitol Grounds
7/4 – Glenn Miller Orchestra hosted by Urbandale 4th of July Celebration at Lion’s Park
7/7 – The Jazz Page hosted by Waukee Area Arts Council at Waukee Downtown Triangle
7/8 – World Port hosted by Aviva USA at 7700 Mills Civic Pkwy in WDM
7/9 – Jim Oatts Quintet hosted by Waveland Park Neighborhood Association at Roosevelt High School front lawn
7/10 – Workshop hosted by Union Park Neighborhood Association at Union Park
7/12 – John Krantz Quartet hosted by Windsor Heights at Colby Park
7/13 – Big Band Sound at Sylvan Theater – Greenwood Park
7/14 – Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra hosted by Wesley Acres on front lawn facing Grand Avenue
7/15 – Scott Davis Quartet hosted by Beaverdale Neighborhood Association at Beaverdale Park
7/16 – Ashanti hosted by Clive Festival at Clive Aquatics Center
7/17 – Des Moines Big Band hosted by Johnston Public Library at 6700 Merle Hay Rd. in Johnston
7/18 – Dave Rezek’s Alpha State Agents hosted by Roosevelt Cultural District/Drake Neighborhood Association at Shops at Roosevelt parking lot
7/19 – The Belin Quartet hosted by West Des Moines at West Des Moines City Hall patio
7/20 – High Society Big Band hosted by Living History Farms at 2600 111th St. in Urbandale
7/21 – Drake Faculty Band hosted by Friends of Drake Arts – Drake University at Harmon Fine Arts Building Courtyard
7/22 – The Fred Gazzo Band hosted by Chautauqua Park and Mondamin Presidential Neighborhood Associations at Casady Building lawn
7/23 – Susie Miget at Historic East Village
7/26 – Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra hosted by Terrace Hill Governor’s Residence at 2300 Grand Avenue
7/27 – Salsa Vibe hosted by Hispanic Educational Resources at 828 Scott Avenue
7/29 – Betsy Hickok Ensemble hosted by Polk County Conservation at Thomas Mitchell Park
7/30 – Bella Soul featuring Tina Haase Findlay at the Jazz in July finale festival at Jordan Creek Town Center Lake District. Full day of events consists of live jazz music, children’s art activities, local art, and fantastic food and drinks from major restaurants around the lake district.