SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Berkshire Bank Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival, which has been held in Clinton Square since 2001, is moving to a new part of downtown Syracuse July 26-27. The Landmark Theater will host the festival’s main stage and a second stage on the mezzanine level. In addition to the music, the festival […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Berkshire Bank Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival, which has been held in Clinton Square since 2001, is moving to a new part of downtown Syracuse July 26-27.
The Landmark Theater will host the festival’s main stage and a second stage on the mezzanine level. In addition to the music, the festival will include wines from around the world in the lobby bar, along with beer and whiskey.
The event, presented annually by CNY Jazz, is considered “the performing arts anchor of Artsweek in Downtown Syracuse,” per the Thursday announcement.
Besides the activity inside the Landmark, the 100 block of West Jefferson Street, adjacent to the theater, will host a food truck and vendor village, the event organizer said. It’ll include the Stanley Law youth and community stage, which will feature the area’s emerging talent, along with community groups and strolling musicians.
“The move makes a lot of sense for us, and for our audience,” Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz founder and festival organizer, said in the announcement. “We’re enhancing public safety and improving climate resiliency in one stroke and retaining all the elements of a festival that’s been serving Syracuse for over 20 years. We’re now only two blocks from the Arts and Crafts Festival, and now situated at the gateway of Armory Square. We’re reducing street closings at a time when we’re entering a long period of I-81 construction around downtown. Plus, we’re next to the biggest parking lot downtown, next to the Armory. All this spells success, a better audience experience, and a better arts showcase for downtown, Central New York, and cultural tourists.”
Event headliners include Shayna Steele, who will be the final performer on July 26, and the Family Stone will take the stage July 27 to “celebrate the five decade-plus legacy that changed soul music forever.” The new band is led by original member and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Martini and includes second generation band members Phunne Stone and Swang Stewart. The group is presented in association with Tom Honan and Live Space Entertainment.
The jazz and wine festival continues to benefit from “strong” support at the state level, and a large group of corporate sponsors also contributes to the success of the festival, per the announcement.
