Tag Archives: Jazz Festival

Another great Jazz Festival in the books

17 Aug

The Webster Jazz Festival seems to get better every year.

This two-day festival has been held for almost 20 years now, and somehow the organizers (our very own Webster Business and Improvement District) keep finding ways to improve it. This year’s big upgrade was having two of Friday night’s “Jazz in the Pubs” bands — Sarah De Vallière and Deepak Thettu and Friends — actually play outdoors, on West Main St.

What a brilliant idea that was. Not only was it easier for the bands to set up and gave them more space to perform, but it allowed for much larger crowds to spread out and enjoy the music, taking advantage of the perfect August weather. It also helped increase the visibility of the vendors who had set up tents along the sidewalks.

Four other bands performed at four other indoor venues throughout Friday evening, allowing patrons to more or less “pub-hop,” and I was happy to see that Annette’s, Ploty’s, the Cobblestone and Jojo were all pretty busy.

I was also very happy to see a strong presence from The Coach. Fritz had set up a beer tent on the patio, which did brisk business all Friday and Saturday night. Community members could also support the bar by purchasing t-shirts and other items which read “Stand By Your Bar.”

I’ve posted a few photos from Friday night above, but also have many others in this Facebook gallery. I’ve also included a nice selection of photos taken by my friend Mary White, who was there Friday night with her much-better-than-mine camera.

“Jazz in the Streets” on Saturday was awesome as usual. The music was terrific, the food vendors were busy, and the twinkly lights made Main Street extra charming as night fell. My favorite thing to do on this night is to just walk around the perimeter of the crowd, because it’s guaranteed I’ll see someone I know. Friday night was no exception; I was able to reconnect with a dozen friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in several years.

Oh, and of course I took a lot of photos, too. Click here for my full gallery from Saturday night.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 8/17/2025)

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Beautiful night, beautiful music for Webster Jazz Fest

21 Aug

What a terrific few days we just had in the Village of Webster.

The 2022 Webster Jazz Festival is in the books, and it will certainly go down as one of the best ever. Six different bands kicked off the festivities Friday night with Jazz in the Pubs, this year made even better by the mini street fair, complete with vendors, a professional sidewalk chalk artist, a photo booth and more.

But that was just a teaser for the main event, Jazz in the Streets on Saturday. The music began at 4 p.m. on the big West Main Street stage and continued well into the evening.

In the many years I’ve attended the Jazz Fest, I can’t recall ever seeing so many people. When I got into town at about 6:45, the street, sidewalks, even alleyways and driveways were already packed with tables and chairs and coolers. I didn’t think it could get any busier. But as the evening went on, people kept coming, and by the time Prime Time Funk hit their first downbeat at 9 p.m., people had filled in pretty much every nook and cranny along West Main.

The Village of Webster always looks its most charming for the Jazz Fest, too. Twinkly lights stretching back and forth across West Main made the entire scene look like a musical fairyland. Food and drink vendors set up along the street, combined with spectacular weather, made the whole evening a great chance to reconnect with friends and neighbors, or just enjoy an inexpensive evening out with the whole family.

Kudos to the Webster Business Improvement District for another wildly successful Jazz Fest. You make the Village of Webster proud.

Here are just a few photos from Saturday night. Click here to see a gallery with many more.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 8/21/2022)

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Jazz Festival and mini street fair come to Webster Village this weekend

15 Aug

Get ready to dance in the streets and in the pubs this weekend, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns to the village, with great music, food, drink, a mini-street fair and — this year — t-shirts!

The Webster Jazz Festival will stretch over two days this Friday and Saturday Aug. 19 and 20, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like.

Here’s the schedule (click on the name to get more information about each band):

West Main will also be hopping that evening with a brand new event sponsored by the Webster BID which they’re calling the Jazz Fair in the Street.

West Main will be closed to traffic for the evening, and the curbs lined with vendors, artisans, local business booths, and maybe even some fun and games. Plus, food and beverages will be available for purchase. (It’s kind of like a mini Village Days.) It’ll be a great chance to meet up with neighbors and friends, maybe do a litle shopping, while you’re meandering from one pub to the next to enjoy some live music.

Here are a few of the artisans and vendors you’ll see there:

  • Mayers Cider Mill cider and donut tastings
  • Catlan Samuels book signing
  • botique items
  • live, professional sidewalk artists
  • Roc City Empanadas food truck
  • craft items including tie-dyed shirts, waterfalls and bird baths, and laser-engraved pieces

On Saturday night the festival clicks up a notch when the music takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main St. stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long.

The schedule looks like this:

This is always a huge event, so you’ll really want to be a part of it. Admission is free.

And while you’re in town, make sure to stop by Woodland Silkscreening, 5 West Main (lower level), and pick up your official Jazz Fest 2022 t-shirt. Look for her table on Friday during the street fair, or stop by the shop anytime this week for a special pre-sale deal of just $10 each (they’ll be $15 the day of the festival). What a great price for something you can wear proudly every year to show off your love of Webster — and great music.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/15/2022)

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Forget the snow. Village announces spring and summer events

15 Mar

Capture

Despite what we might see piled high in our yards right now, spring is really right around the corner, which means that summer is not far behind.

That was confirmed for me a few days ago when I got my first event round-up email from Robyn Whittaker of the Webster BID, that local business organization that sponsors all of our favorite village events.

Here’s a quick look at what they have planned:

  • Saturday March 11: Village Idiots Relay for Life Team Pasta Dinner at the Fireman’s Exempt building from 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday May 13: Gear Up!, a bicycle event supporting Rotary International and sponsored by Webster Rotary, Webster Chamber of Commerce, Webster Town and Friends of Webster Trails kicks off Mother’s Day weekend. Choose a 53 mile, 26.5 mile or the family-friendly 5-mile ride.
  • July 21 and 22: Webster Jazz Festival in the pubs and on Main Street.
  • June 30: Friday Night Concerts begin in the gazebo.
  • July 13: Movie nights in the park begin, this year once again featuring the Saturday Classic Movie Night.
  • September 9-10: The Garlic Festival returns to the Webster Parks and Recreation Department

Also watch for details about a Wine Walk, a wine and food pairing event a craft beer festival, a “bourbon blitz,” and of course the Trick or Treat Trail and White Christmas in the Village.

Put everything on your calendar, and see you there!

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