CLEARWATER - If you attend this year's Clearwater Jazz Holiday, you'll be hit up for two things at the gate: your money and your opinion.
The money is just a small donation you can stuff in a Zephyrhills water jug to support the festival. But, as always, you can walk in for free if you want, no hard feelings.
"Our motto is $5 for 25," said Jane Olds, the president of Jazz Force, the organization that runs the event, meaning $5 for 25 years of jazz.
Olds said that if you are inclined to fork over a few dollars, just look for the volunteers roaming the park wearing the wide-brimmed hats and T-shirts that state: "Help keep the Clearwater Jazz Holiday free!"
Although Olds said the donations will help give organizers seed money to "get through the lean times," she said visitors' opinions are much more valuable. It could shape the festival over the next 25 years.
"We have survey takers who will collect demographic information," Olds said. "There are about 15 questions: Do they like the music? Do they like the event? Any special artists they would like to see? We are looking for suggestions on how to make the event better. And we really want to keep it free."
Visitors who complete the questionnaire will be rewarded with a string of colorful Jazz Holiday beads.
Those who donate money will get a raffle ticket to win CDs signed by artists playing this year's event.
Guests will notice other changes at this year's silver anniversary event.
There is additional parking, and the title sponsor, MarineMax, is setting up a video screen and speakers aimed toward Clearwater Harbor, giving boaters anchored there an opportunity to see and hear the show.
But Olds is quick to point out the sound levels will be closely monitored so those living on nearby Island Estates will not be bothered by the bands.
MarineMax will also provide a ferry service for boaters, shuttling them from vessels to the park.
To keep children entertained, organizers have developed a children's play area with a slide, trampoline and rock-climbing wall.
And artists will sell jewelry and paintings out of booths set up in the park.
"What we're trying to do is offer people interesting things to look at and do when they want to stretch their legs or if an artist (performing on stage) is not their favorite," said Olds.
As they roam the park, concertgoers may want to visit a special historical display arranged to mark the event's 25th anniversary.
The same flatbed truck used as a stage at the first Jazz Holiday in 1980 will be parked in the venue.
"People will be able to go on the truck and see old newspaper stories and photos from past festivals," Olds said.
What started as a 10-day series of jazz concerts has evolved into a four-day music festival that draws an estimated 40,000 people per year.
There will be two entrances: a north gate at Osceola Avenue and Drew Street, and a south gate near Stein Mart.
Drew Street will close at noon Monday to allow workers to set up the stage extension, merchandise tents, performers' dressing facilities and new displays.
"We wanted the festival to be exciting and different this year," Olds said. "We think we've achieved that with the changes we've made."
WHEN: Thursday to Sunday. Gates open two hours before show time.
WHERE: Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater on the waterfront.
ADMISSION: Free; donations accepted.
DON'T BRING: Alcohol, coolers, pets or umbrellas. Special dietary foods and kids' snacks are allowed.
VOLUNTEERS: More than 600 slots still need to be filled. Want to help? Call (727) 461-5200.
THE LINEUP
THURSDAY: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Allon Sams; 8:30 to 10 p.m. Rick Braun.
FRIDAY: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Big Z and the SophistiKatz; 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Victor Wooten; 9 to 10:15 p.m. Branford Marsalis.
SATURDAY: 1:45 to 3 p.m. Pepper and Fine Thyme; 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Tony Vacca and World Rhythms; 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Dan Moretti; 7 to 8:15 p.m. Chris Botti; 8:45 to 10 p.m. the Neville Brothers (10 to 10:20 p.m. fireworks).
SUNDAY: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. the Clearwater Jazz Holiday/Ruth Eckerd Hall Youth Jazz Band; 2 to 3:15 p.m. the Nate Najar Trio with Chuck Redd; 3:45 to 5 p.m. Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet; 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Adela Dalto; and 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
