West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival

What can be said about the WOL Jazz Festival except that I love it so and can't wait for it to come around each year.

It's held in June and it's basically your typical outdoor festival with vendors both food and crafts per se. As well as artists coupled with 4 stages of music for three days.

But also at this festival is an Arts Pavillion, where some well known artists in the business gives insight to those visiting the pavillion. Art Noir feature poetry slams as well during the festival. AND it primarily features local jazz artist along with "big name" artists.  I put that in quotes in hopes of not downplaying the locally gifted.

It gets crowded but still (for now) fairly comfortable and the crowds each year is always pleasant no matter how packed it gets. The kicker for me is it's in my back yard! I can come and go as much as  I please and avoid the traffic of traveling home when it's over. And the beauty of it is, for those that do not live in the area, there are free shuttle buses that can also take you to and fro as you please oppose to having to stay so you don't lose your space or what have you.

It also highlights all of the beautiful things going on in the commnity rather it's new business or the work being done via OARC.

Some of my favorite acts that I checked out this year was Kevin Eubanks, Jeff Bradshaw's Brass Heaven and an African dance troupe who's name I cannot recall at the moment, among others.