Make your plans today to attend the 2nd Annual Richmond jazz festival at Maymont.

2nd Annual Jazz Festival in Richmond August 11 - 14, 2011

The jazz starts on August 11th and continues through August 14th, 2011. Last year’s event was a wonderful outdoor music event spanning two days; this year’s will span 4 days!

Jazz kicks off on Thursday August 11th at the newly-renovated Hippodrome in Jackson Ward with local Richmond jazz groups performing  a program titled “Homegrown at the Hipp.”  Doors will open at 6 PM and include great local artists: Joye B Moore, Sharon Rae North, Forte Jazz Band, Shanta “Bunni” Jasper, J. Tucker, Anhayla Stanley, Eric Stanley, and Secret Society. General Admission $20. The Hippodrome is located at 528 North 2nd Street.

On Friday, August 12th, the venue shifts to CenterStage for the Richmond Jazz Festival Kickoff with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Bio Ritmo will open for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the doors of CenterStage will open at 6:30 PM. General Admission $30. Richmond’s CenterStage is located in downtown Richmond at 600 East Grace Street.

The big event all day Saturday and Sunday at Maymont, where gates open at 11:00 AM include such jazz greats as Spyro Gyra, Aaron Neville, the US Army Jazz Ambassadors, Los Lobos, Robin Thicke, and Jazz Attack.  Complete schedule and list of artists.  Day Passes and Weekend Passes are available. Tickets for all events are available on line and at Ticketmaster.  Artists will perform on two separate stages, so wear comfortable shoes to be able to catch it all! The musical selections will be predominantly jazz, but will also include R&B, neo-soul and other genres that add diversity and flavor to the festival!

For the music at Maymont Park, bring a chair, food is permitted but bringing in alcoholic beverages is not.  Maymont is located at 1700 Hampton Street in Richmond, and for the festival only the Hampton Street gate will be open.  Free shuttle service is available for those who park at Dogwood Dell, Richmond City Stadium, or VCU’s parking decks at 801 W Main Street or 1101 West Cary Street.  Enjoy smooth jazz, while taking advantage of products and services sold by vendors on site, scheduled wine tastings and chef demonstrations featuring international cuisine.

Make your plans to attend! You just might find the innkeepers of Richmond’s finest bed and breakfast inn there!

The inaugural Richmond Jazz Festival, titled Jazz at Maymont, on Saturday August 14 and Sunday August 15 was such a success that it exceeded expectations.  Thousands attended the two-day event on the grounds of Maymont, where jazz greats like Chaka Khan, Chuck Magione, and Boney James, performed on two stages – along with some regionally acclaimed jazz musicians. Food, snack, and beverage vendors were on hand to complete the day. Besides the fabulous jazz filling the afternoon and evening, the best news is that this festival is an inaugural one – meaning it will be back!  Saturday’s event under sunny skies was a tad more crowded; but Sunday’s cloudy skies and scattered showers may have held a few people back.  They should have braved the weather: the showers were sprinkles and they didn’t last long – and the music was great! Here’s a sample video from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Enjoy!

Jazz Festival planners thought of everything, amazing for a first time event in a first time venue. You could rent a tent for your family and friends, free shuttle service from multiple remote parking areas so no parking hassles, even wine tasting for the adventurous. All in all, it was a wonderful experience for Richmond – and Richmond’s visitors who came from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.  Thanks to all who planned and executed this great event! We’ll see you again next time! We promise!

And, if you plan to come from out-of-town for the next Richmond Jazz Festival, consider our historic Fan District bed and breakfast as your accommodations.  You’ll be close to Maymont and you’ll get a taste of living in an historic neighborhood!

Maymont is the site for the City of Richmond’s Jazz Fest on August 14 and 15. More than 25 artists, including Chaka Khan, Chuck Mangione, and Pancho Sanchez, are scheduled to perform. Festival artists will perform on 2 stages, over 2 days – showcasing primarily jazz with various genres to liven up the mix performed by local, national and international bands and artists.

Don't miss the Jazz Festival at Maymont August 14 and 15

Festival goers will have the opportunity to participate in wine-tastings, enjoy great food and chef demonstrations, and tour the grounds and gardens of magnificent Maymont.  INFO.  Advance Tickets are $25 for a one-day pass or $40 for a two day pass. TICKETS.  Tickets will be sold at the gate  $30 for a one-day pass, and $50 for a two-day pass.

To enjoy the festival to the max — choose a guest room at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast for the weekend, enjoy all the amenities we offer at our historic Fan district inn – and partake the ultimate convenience. Maymont is situated amidst a residential neighborhood and therefore parking is limited near the park. For your convenience, Shuttle service will be provided. Free shuttle services will run every quarter of an hour to and from designated parking decks, including VCU’s West Cary Street Deck, at 1101 West Cary Street – just two blocks away from our downtown inn. On Saturday, August 14, shuttles will run from 11am-11pm. On Sunday, August 15, shuttles will run from 11am-10pm.  Check in Friday, park your car in our off-street parking and spend a music-filled weekend in the city.