Back Alley Jazz visitor information
What is it?
Back Alley Jazz is a neighborhood-based daylight event. In 2019 residents of South Shore are taking the lead in organizing and producing the second year of Back Alley Jazz, a celebration of jazz and community embedded in the neighorhood. This year’s event is inspired by the DJ jam sessions from the original Jazz in the Alley events of the 1960s and 70s, and will feature some of the DJ’s from that time period. DJ’s will perform sets from front yards along S. Paxton, complemented by several live performances by local musicians.
Join us for music, interactive art activities and a picnic area where neighbors can gather and enjoy the performances, food, and each other. Feel free to bring your own cooler and chairs!
Where will it take place?
Event entrances will be located at 73rd and S. Paxton and 74th and S. Paxton.
Performances and installations will take place in front yards along S. Paxton.
A picnic area and all-ages art activities will be located along the street on S. Paxton between 73rd and 74th Street.
Parking:
Parking on S. Merrill and Luella will to be limited to residents only and we encourage biking and walking to the event. Parking will be available for guests at the lot on S. Paxton just north of 71st.
Bathroom facilities:
For the comfort and convenience of attendees, we will provide 4 wheelchair accessible porta-potties on S. Paxton. These will be locked and secured overnight and will be picked up Sunday, July 15 in the morning.
Security:
The safety and care for neighborhood property is our primary concern. Professional security to be on site from 1-9pm the day of the event. South Shore police and local SSA security will also be alerted of the event and we’ll have experienced volunteers and staff on hand to help attendees stay in designated areas. Pedestrian and car traffic will be limited to residents-only in the following areas: S. Merrill between 73rd & 74th; the alleyways east and west of S. Merrill between 73rd and 74th; and Luella between 73rd and 74th.
How many people do you expect to attend?
We anticipate several hundred people across the course of the day. The organizers have extensive professional experience in managing events and will be overseeing all aspects of the event, including attendance/headcount, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.
How will set up and clean up work?
Event set up will take place the morning of Saturday, July 14. Back Alley Jazz staff and volunteers will clean up the event area and the surrounding neighborhood in several blocks each direction from the activated block Saturday and Sunday after the event; we are aware of ongoing parking difficulties on Sundays and so will plan accordingly so that we are not taking up any street parking that day.
Who can I contact with questions and ideas? Please feel free to be in touch with Project Manager Olivia Junell anytime - olivia@hydeparkjazzfestival.org, 512-565-7254 (text & call both fine)