Leaders of the Detroit International Jazz Festival have been told that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is planning to speak at a Labor Day rally at 11 a.m. Monday at the main amphitheater at Hart Plaza -- just one hour before the festival is scheduled to kick-off its final day.
“We really don't know what the overarching impact will be on the festival other than chaos," executive and artistic director Terri Pontremoli said with a laugh of resignation.
The Obama campaign has not made an official announcement about where the candidate will speak Monday, though they've said he will speak to the marchers at the end of the parade.
The traditional Labor Day parade typically ends with a rally on the festival's footprint at Hart Plaza and there is always a smooth transition between events. The number of jazz fans at the plaza at noon on Monday usually numbers in the hundreds, though it often escalates quickly.
The issue for the festival -- which opens tonight and remains the largest free jazz festival in North America -- is that its schedule is built without wiggle room.
“We really don't know what the overarching impact will be on the festival other than chaos," executive and artistic director Terri Pontremoli said with a laugh of resignation.
The Obama campaign has not made an official announcement about where the candidate will speak Monday, though they've said he will speak to the marchers at the end of the parade.
The traditional Labor Day parade typically ends with a rally on the festival's footprint at Hart Plaza and there is always a smooth transition between events. The number of jazz fans at the plaza at noon on Monday usually numbers in the hundreds, though it often escalates quickly.
The issue for the festival -- which opens tonight and remains the largest free jazz festival in North America -- is that its schedule is built without wiggle room.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
