Jazz In The Woods Suspended For 2018

Kansas City’s Jazz In The Woods Festival has reportedly been called off because of money issues.

facebook.com/JazzInTheWoods –

“We are sad to announce the suspension of the 2018 event due to funding restrictions,” the Jazz In The Woods website said. “We hope to see you again soon!”

The event, put on by Overland Park South Rotary Club, has staged 28 times – largely thanks to the work of volunteers – with its last incarnation in 2017 June 9-10. Performers at that event included Curtis Salgado and Steve Cole.

Over the years Jazz In The Woods raised more than $1,500,000 million for charity, but organizers told Pollstar the event costs more than $200,000 to put on annually, and they just couldn’t find the sponsors to put the event on this year.

The concerts used to be free until last year, when everyone older than 12 was charged $5 admission Jones said, but the event may be back next year if the funding is secured.

“The entire festival was put on by rotarians, by volunteers. We would work on it all year,” Overland Park South Rotary Club President Theresa Jones said. “Just the risk of relying on admission for income – because all the expenses exist even if the event is rained out – that is just too risky of a financial venture for an organization that is all volunteer.”