Meijer Supports 30th Anniversary of Detroit International Jazz Festival

Meijer Supports 30th Anniversary of Detroit International Jazz Festival

Makes Education Stage and Food Drive Possible

DETROIT, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Education is at the heart of the Detroit International Jazz Festival's programming and outreach, and Meijer, a Michigan based company celebrating 75 years, has stepped up to the plate to support it at the 30th Annual Festival, September 4-7. Known for its contributions to family oriented programs and youth, Meijer will make possible an Education Stage and a family friendly "Kid Bop" area at America's largest free jazz festival. Invited high school jazz bands, ranked among the best in the state, will represent 11 Michigan communities as they perform on the Meijer Education Stage in Campus Martius Park.

Public high school jazz bands from the following communities will be represented: Detroit, Ann Arbor, Warren, Northville, Grand Rapids, St. Clair Shores, Ferndale, Waterford, Utica, Clarkston and Ionia. "Meijer is very pleased to partner with the Detroit International Jazz Fest," said Scott Seling, group vice president of operations for Meijer's East Region. "The Jazz fest is a wonderful Detroit tradition and we are excited to help bring a family-focused component to the event."

The family activities will extend from one end of the 2M square foot festival to the other as Meijer is also co-sponsoring the Kid Bop Area on Hart Plaza, where "wee boppers" and their parents enjoy storytelling with Rob McCabe, tap dancing with MADD Rhythms with special guest Rod Ferrone, scat 101 with Jahra Michelle McKinney and more.

Meijer and the Detroit International Jazz Festival are also asking those who attend the free festival to consider those in need. According to Gleaners Community Food Bank, it is estimated that 93,000 individuals in Michigan will lose their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. "Because of the growing need, I thought it was important that we do something to support the food banks," said DJF Board Member Dr. Stanley Berry. With Gleaners experiencing a 50% increase in demand for services, an on-site food drive will also be held at the Jazz Festival.

Guests can simply bring a non-perishable food donation to the Meijer Truck, at the Northeast corner of Jefferson and Woodward, September 4 from 3pm-8pm, September 5, 6 & 7 from 11am-8pm. Girl Scouts will be volunteering at the Food Drive on Saturday at 11am. The first 20 to donate 50lbs or more of food will win a prize package from the Detroit International Jazz Festival and Meijer. "Gleaners is grateful to Meijer and the Detroit International Jazz Festival for bringing attention to the issue of hunger during one of our region's signature events," says W. DeWayne Wells, president of Gleaners Community Food Bank. "Demand for emergency food will continue to grow as the holidays approach and more of our state's workers exhaust their unemployment benefits. There couldn't be a better time to support our hungry neighbors than right now."

The Detroit International Jazz Festival brings an estimated 750,000 guests to Downtown Detroit on Labor Day Weekend to enjoy world class musicians on five stages, creative shopping from artists and vendors, culinary treats and family friendly activities. Approximately 23% of guests come from outside Michigan, bringing much needed tourism dollars to the state. Throughout the year, the festival provides educational outreach to public schools and partners with other non-profit organizations such as the Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Public Library to present jazz artists and outreach programs. The festival is made possible by the following sponsors: Mack Avenue Records, Chase, Carhartt, Meijer, Absopure, The Joyce Foundation, Erb Foundation, MGM Grand Detroit, DTE Energy Foundation, DTE Energy, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Budweiser, Citizens Bank, National Endowment for the Arts, Saturn, Seldom Blues, Delta Skymiles, Nintendo Wii, Pepsi, Damon's Grill, Michigan Council of the Arts & Cultural Affairs, Baja Smoothies, American Laser, Jackson FiveStar Catering, Splendid Plates and individual donations. For more information, visit www.detroitjazzfest.com.

Contact: Peggy K. Goodwin, APR
248.376.0390 cellular
248.414.4533 office

Source: Detroit International Jazz Festival

CONTACT: Peggy K. Goodwin, APR, +1-248-376-0390 cellular,
+1-248-414-4533 office, for Detroit International Jazz Festival

Web Site: http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/

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