WALKER, Mich. — The Meadows at Millennium Park were alive with music on Monday night as students from the Byron Center Jazz Orchestra performed in front of hundreds of people. Their show kicked off the 2024 Jazz in the Park series, put on by the West Michigan Jazz Society.
Jazz in the park happens on Monday nights at The Meadows from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are accepted. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, wine or beer. There will also be food trucks at the event throughout the season.
"One of the things I love is just to see all of the people just having a great time and dancing. We've got families and all different ages. You know, there's older, younger. Everybody's just having fun, and so it's a really cool experience just to be here," said Michelle Needham who serves as the president of the West Michigan Jazz Society.
Throughout the season, nonprofit organizations will be spotlighted at Jazz in the Park.
"Tonight in honor of it being Pride Month, we have some organizations that are in that space. Moving forward, we're looking to have a foster night, to work with some of the foster agencies. We're looking to have accessibility night, so we've been talking to disability advocates. We're really trying to be intentional about music bringing people together and also kind of creating visibility," said Carlos Kulas-Dominguez, who serves as an experience crafter with the Jazz Society.
If you'd like to attend Jazz in the Park, the society has a full list of performers on their website.
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