The Michigan Jazzfest in Old Town Lansing will feature live, in-person performances this weekend after being presented online last year due to the pandemic.
Maybe the biggest change for the festival’s return to in-person performances is a new ticketing structure. It includes “members only” and “premiere” seating areas.
Festival organizer Terry Terry says there have been a lot of requests for reserved seating over the years. “The members-only seating is up front at the Turner stage,” Terry explained, “up front at the River stage, and into the afterglow which is at about 11 o’clock each night.”
Terry says there will be other spaces available along with assigned seating areas. Tickets will be available on site.
There’s no beverage tent this year, but Old Town restaurants will be open for food and drink.
Meanwhile, the East Lansing Art Festival is back this weekend after being fully virtual in 2020. The pandemic also delayed it from its usual May schedule this year.
The festival is taking precautions to keep artists and visitors safe. Festival director Heather Mojano says the number of artists on hand has been cut in half.
“And that was intentional,” Mojano said. “So that we could space them out more, have more room for people to move about, social distance, and be respectful of their neighbors.”
Mojano says the children’s area has been downsized, with a couple of activities including a “take and make” option.
Morning and evening live music performances will also be livestreamed for those who choose not to attend in person. There will also be poetry, artist demonstrations and interviews with artist award winners online.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 to 5 on Sunday.
Mojano says organizers hope things will be back to normal for May of 2022.
