Ninth annual Yelm Jazz in the Park set for Aug. 7, and Aug. 8, at Yelm City Park

If you enjoy the audience of live jazz music, the environment of Yelm City Park or the camaraderie of spending time with members of your community, then you should head down to the park from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8, for the ninth annual Yelm Jazz in the Park.

Marian Licxandru, organizer of the ninth annual Yelm Jazz in the Park event, told the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, July 27, that attendees of the event should expect the friendly ambiance that’s been featured at the event for nearly a decade.

“There will be nearly 1,200 feet of string lights strung out around the park. There will also be some bands performing from Seattle, Olympia and Tacoma. Some of them have never been to Yelm, and it’s a request that we had from the community to get some bands from outside of the Thurston County area and we made it possible.”

Licxandru believes that Yelm Jazz in the Park is one of the easiest going events in town. He said attendees are more than welcome to bring their blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and a dinner to spend three or four hours in the park enjoying live music.

“There will be a lot of people smiling and everybody will be having a good time,” Licxandru said. “Some people get stuck in the fact that it’s ‘Jazz’ in the Park. I feel so bad about it. If I could replace the word with ‘Music’ in the Park, I would do it. I just want to tell people not to get caught up by the word jazz. Get caught in the words fun, ambiance and chill vibes. It’s not a crowded event. It’s not an event where you have to move from one side to another. That’s not Jazz in the Park. Jazz in the Park is kind of like a private party in Yelm where everybody is invited for free.”

He added that those associated with Yelm Jazz in the Park will begin transforming Yelm City Park into the concert setting on Thursday, Aug. 6. Organizers will also tear down the set from the event on Sunday, Aug. 9, once the concert is concluded.

“It looks like an easy event, but there’s a lot of hard work that has to happen before with setting up before and taking it apart after,” Licxandru said. “Throughout the year, it’s a little more relaxed because we have one year to plan for the next event.”

Licxandru noted that the event’s beer garden will be run by Yelm Jazz in the Park staff, and that all of the proceeds made at the concert will be donated back to be used for the event in 2027.

Additionally, he said the musical performances set for Yelm Jazz in the Park on Friday, Aug. 7, include: Take7: The “Little” Big Band, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; The Savoy Night Owls, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Eden Lane featuring Stephanie Layton, from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

The musical performances set for Yelm Jazz in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, include: Jessica Blinn Quartet, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Arnt and His Rhythm featuring Casey MacGill, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Pearl Django, from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

One of Licxandru’s favorite aspects of the Yelm Jazz in the Park concert is seeing so many young attendees enjoying themselves and their time with friends and loved ones during the event.

“They come and hold hands. They kiss and enjoy the romantic moments in life. There’s also the young kids who are swinging and playing on the playground and enjoying the (splash pad) that we have here in Yelm,” he said. “It’s like a movie scene. That’s my dream about it.”
Licxandru was also thankful for the support from Today’s Dental Center, Olympia Federal Savings, Uptown Lounge, Castle Realty and Pizzeria La Gitana throughout the years of the event.

He noted that Today’s Dental Center has been the primary sponsor of Yelm Jazz in the Park for each and every iteration of the event.

“The fact that we have the same sponsor and the same sponsor has stayed with us for nine years, I think it’s a sign that the community resonates with what we’re doing,” Licxandru said. “I want to invite everybody to try it out. The reviews are great and people felt good.”