Jazz: the most vital cultural expression of the 20th-century African-American experience? Or a fun excuse to drink boxed wine in a suburban park? Jazz: It's just all over the goddamn map. Woody Allen's clarinet noodlings count, and the middle-aged women holding lighters aloft as Kenny G hits the high notes of "Havana" won't abide your protests otherwise. It's on the lists of "Things French People Like" and "Things in Garrison Keillor's Wax Cylinder Collection." If you'd like to hunt for the grand unification theory of jazz, you can start at the free
Prairie Village Jazz Festival, from 2 to 10 p.m. at Harmon Park (77th Street and Mission, at the Prairie Village Municipal Campus). The lineup includes local favorites Shay Estes & Trio ALL, the People's Liberation Big Band, Shawnee Mission East's Jazz Ensemble and others. In honor of the historical connection between Prohibition and jazz music, alcohol is not permitted. Neither are pets, coolers and food. For more information, see
prairievillagejazz.org.
— Chris Packham
913-381-6464
