Where You Should Be With Your Family :: Jazz in the Park

There is a mental list I like to keep; I call it my “people who aren’t real” list. To earn a coveted spot on this list, you have to be really, really kind. You have to emanate kindness or goodness or passion or gentleness or insert-other-superior-quality-here that just knocks the socks off people. You have to do so much good for other people that it is beyond normal — that it makes people question, “Why?” or “How can that be?” Bernard Lockhart is one of these people, and this is how he made the list.

 

I don’t know too much about Bernard Lockhart, but I do know how much stress and coordination and physical labor putting on large community events can be. I also know how tedious and nerve-wracking fundraising can be. I know that Bernard has such a love for jazz that he wants to bring FREE jazz concerts to neighborhoods across Birmingham (and beyond) so that others can experience his passion too. Finally, I know that Bernard, the friendliest man you’ll ever meet, also works full-time for the City of Trussville and that being Founder and ED of Magic City Smooth Jazz is simply a side, volunteer gig for him. What in the world? How does he do it? Is this too good to be true?

 

Get Your Jazz Hands Ready for Jazz in the Park

Wonderfully enough, it is not too good to be true! Bernard’s vision has come to life in a big way, and his organization, which proclaims the mission “Building Community through Jazz”, has hosted countless “Jazz in the Park” concerts since its inception in 2008. Magic City Smooth Jazz has shown up throughout Alabama in all kinds of places — in Avondale and in Tuscaloosa, in Bessemer and in Homewood, in Ensley and in Huntsville. While concert season (April-October) is winding down, there is still one area concert in which you can partake. The organization’s last show of the season will take place on the field in front of Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook on Sunday, October 15th, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.. Bring your comfiest quilt, and pack a picnic. This is a free, family-friendly event, and all are invited.

 

 For more information on the event or the organization, visit Magic City Smooth Jazz. See you at the park!

 

If Sunday, October 15th doesn’t work with your calendar, or if you simply need more jazz in your life (and who doesn’t?), you can catch MORE FREE JAZZ in English Village on Thursday, October 19th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.. The Merchants of English Village will be hosting their Fall Jazz with Civitas event, which involves live music and extended shopping hours. Bring your family to grab dinner in The Village, peruse the stores, and dance in the street.

 

See you at Jazz in the Park! See you at Jazz with Civitas!