One of Indiana's most notable jazz festivals is held in Elkhart each year. The Elkhart Jazz Festival includes international jazz superstars on seven separate downtown Elkhart performance stages and venues throughout one memorable weekend. Featured jazz styles range from Big Band to bebop, from Dixieland to swing, and jazz both contemporary as well as traditional. The festival has taken place every year since 1988.
Elkhart Jazz Festival
Downtown Elkhart, Inc.
418 S. Main St.
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-295-8701
800-597-7627
elkhartjazzfestival.com
Indiana celebrates famed songwriter Cole Porter every year with the Cole Porter Festival, held in his hometown of Peru, Indiana. The festival takes place on the second weekend in June, and is guaranteed to have you whistling some of Porter's best-known tunes.
Cole Porter Festival
Miami County Museum
51 North Broadway
Peru, IN 46970
765-473-9183
coleporterfestival.org
For those seeking a music festival in the more classical vein, the annual Bloomington Early Music Festival is a must. The festival takes place in Bloomington, Indiana in mid-May each year, and spotlights some of the most delicate and beautiful yet overlooked music in musical history. The festival is a great fit for families and children, and has been consistently recognized on the regional and national basis for its performances as well as for its recognition of new and emerging talent. Featured performances include early music and early baroque ensembles and soloists in concerts, workshops and discussions, from smaller works to operas and oratorios. Featured musicians often include leading folk performers, as well, this time taking the stage with ancient or more traditional instruments.
Bloomington Early Music Festival
P.O. Box 734
Bloomington, IN 47402
812-331-1263
blemf.org
One of the oldest bluegrass festivals worldwide, the Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegreass Festival highlights more than 50 bluegrass bands and performers over a whirlwind eight-day period each June. The festival's notable events include concerts, workshops, jams, authentic bean suppers and youth activities, including the Bluegrass Boot Camp. Camping facilities and cabins are available on site, along with other diversions, including a superb flea market.
Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival
Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground
5163 SR 135 N.
Morgantown, IN 46160
800-414-4677
812-988-6422
beanblossom.com
Taking place each year in Wakarusa, Indiana, the Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival is fun for all ages and includes special events such as an open-jam for musicians on Friday as well as the usual Sunday morning bluegrass gospel service.
Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival
P.O. Box 12
Wakarusa, In 46573
574-862-2807
wakarusabluegrassfestival.com
For those about to rock in Indiana, there's X-Fest, which takes place every year in Noblesville, Indiana (a suburb of Indianapolis) and highlights some of the heaviest rock bands and performers worldwide. The event has taken place since 1995, and has become an indelible part of Indianapolis rock culture.
X-Fest Music Festival
X103-FM
Clear Channel Communications
6161 Fall Creek Road
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-257-7565
wrzx.com/pages/X-Fest.html
Another highlight on any music-lover's calendar is the annual Summer Music Festival at Indiana University. Sponsored by the Jacobs School of Music, the event is one of the biggest collegiate summer festivals nationwide, and features more than 50 performances, taking place from June through August on the Indiana University (Bloomington) campus. Featured music styles include chamber music and classical solos and concerts, jazz orchestra and outdoor band concerts, and full-length operas and musicals.
Summer Music Festival-Indiana University
1201 E. Third St.
Merrill Hall 003
Bloomington, IN 47405
812-855-1583
music.indiana.edu/events/summer/2009/index.html
Another worthy entry to the long list of superb jazz and blues festivals around Indiana is the Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival. Taking place in Logansport, Indiana, the festival celebrates the legacy of Med Flory, a TV/movie actor, screenwriter and Grammy-winning jazz musician who was also a Logansport native. The two-day event includes performances by 12 bands (under tents, rain or shine) as well as food and drink and more.
Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival
Cass County Arts Alliance
P.O. Box 233
Logansport, IN 46947
574-735-2787
floryfest.org