June 2018

The 17th Edition of XRIJF

It’s a beautiful time to be alive and in Rochester! June is winding to a close, and that means it’s time to hit the streets for the 17th annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. Since our city’s greatest event is nothing new to most of us, we’re just going to touch on the essential info that music lovers new and old need to know.

Patience leads to parking. 

Sure, you might have to drive around for a few minutes looking for your ideal spot; it’s just part of the adventure. There is, however, abundant street parking in the blocks surrounding the festival grounds, and most on-street parking is free after 6 pm. Parking options also include event-rate lots and parking garage spots. You can also plan your parking around the free, wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus that will circulate all nine days of the fest from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, stopping at key festival venues.

You can still share…just not for free. In past years, people could buy an all-access club pass and split it among several people. Starting this year, that will be an additional privilege for an additional cost. Many families will find it’s worth paying for, since only the most devoted music fans can take in dozens of shows each day for the full nine days. Also compelling is that even the three-day pass is shareable.

Jam late into the night. 

For those who prefer a less structured musical experience, after-hours is prime time. Head to the Hyatt Regency Rochester Hotel at 10:30 pm any night of the festival to catch a Jam Session at the Street Craft Kitchen & Bar. There’s no telling who will show up or what time the music will end. Friday and Saturday nights will feature R&B Jams led by Karl Stabnau, with Bob Sneider leading Classic Jams Sunday through Thursday.

No tickets, no problem.

Just about everyone wants to see SEAL or Alison Krauss or Jill Scott, but with more than 200,000 visitors attending, only a small percentage can snag tickets for the headliners. If you don’t find yourself among them, don’t fret! XRIJF features 97 free shows and events that require NO ticket and happen rain or shine. This year, you can see artists like Brian Setzer, St. Germain, and Vintage Trouble just by showing up at the right place at the right time. For the Club Pass series, entry without a pass will be first-come-first-served for $30 or $35, cash only, at the venues.

Go forth and enjoy the jazz!

We hope we’ve given you all the details you need to get maximum enjoyment out of your 2018 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival experience. For more information, check out the FAQs.