SCRANTON, Pa. — The Electric City is coming alive this weekend with the 19th annual Scranton Jazz Festival. The three-day event kicks off Friday, all over Scranton.
"We have the entire downtown with 20+ venues, all filled with music. Blues music, jazz music, world beat music, wherever you go, there's a map you can look at on our website," Scranton Jazz Festival Artistic Director Marko Marcinko said.
The Scranton Jazz Festival will feature more than 80 performers. Organizers are excited to showcase the talent.
"We have top shelf musicians from the region, from the state, from the world coming into Scranton, which basically says that Scranton is a top tier city with regard to culture," Scranton Jazz Festival Committee Member Lawrence Pugliese said.
The majority of the event is free, but you do need tickets for certain events, including the headlining artist. Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy is performing Saturday at the Scranton Cultural Center.
"They're an amazing band that is part of that jump swing revival that happened in the early 90s," Marcinko said.
"For those who love jazz, you know about it. You've heard about this, and you'll be here. But those who don't feel jazz or blues is for them, just come out. It's a great way to meet your neighbors and really just have a nice time in the arts," Pugliese said.
The Scranton Jazz Festival kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at various locations throughout the Electric City. It runs from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday and picks up again Sunday morning at 11 with brunch events.
CLICK HERE for a complete schedule and to learn about the performers.