The Detroit International Jazz Festival is embarking on a major
fundraising “challenge.” Gretchen Valade, Detroit’s
own jazz guardian angel, has generously agreed to provide a 50%
match for all 2010 festival donations, up to $250,000.
We hope this wonderful offer will encourage you to join, renew
or give a gift membership. You can also help by encouraging others
– your friends and colleagues – to join us in expanding our base
of individual support. We have established a goal of 400 members
for 2010.
Gretchen’s
Jazz Fest Challenge is Gretchen’s way of urging the public to help
keep the Detroit Jazz Fest free of admission and accessible to
all. Your continued support is essential – now more than ever –
to ensure that world-class performances by artists such as Herbie
Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea and Christian McBride are presented
each year.
With 750,000 fans attending every Labor Day Weekend, the economic impact
of the festival is tremendous. It shines a positive, national light
on our city like no other event, and the audience is one of the most
diverse to be found. In addition to concerts by legendary jazz artists,
DJF fans enjoy an interactive “Kid Bop” area, an education stage for
middle and high school bands, and a jazz talk tent. Support from individuals
like you also enables us to bring our artists into area schools throughout
the year, inspiring young musicians to achieve their dreams, and keeping
the notable Detroit jazz legacy going strong.
Simply put, DJF is one of the world’s greatest jazz festivals.
The fact that it is free makes it wholly unique. However, foundation
and corporate support is not enough to keep it going. We
need your investment to make sure the festival goes on in perpetuity.
To learn more about how you can do your part in response to Gretchen’s
Jazz Fest Challenge, select one of the links below:
