The 31st annual Jazz’SAlive festival was held in Travis Park (301 E Travis Street) on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21.

Local radio station Jazz 91.7 hosted the free, two-day jazz festival. Every patch of grass was covered with lawn chairs and blankets occupied by people enjoying the vivacious atmosphere.

The festival lineup was one for jazz connoisseurs. Acts started as early as 11 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday, but the performances continued well into the evening. The main acts (Marlena Shaw and Eddie Palmieri on Saturday and Nicholas Payton and The Yellow Jackets on Sunday) put on toe-tapping, hip-shaking performances. With more than 11 Grammy Awards combined, the headliners have made history in the jazz music industry. Jazz lovers and non-jazz lovers alike were in for a treat.

Not into jazz? Don’t let the upbeat drums and wild saxophone fool you. The Jazz’SAlive festival was designed with everyone in mind.

Over 30 tents were set up around the perimeter of the park. In the center of the park was the larger main stage. On one side of the park, food tents stretched as far as the nose could smell. On the opposite side, tents for homemade bags and different clothing items were set up. There were even activities for the kiddos: a rock-climbing wall, carnival-style games (with prizes!), face painting and a caricaturist. The twinkling lights of the tall buildings surrounding the park provided a feeling of relaxation and bliss.

Even if jazz really isn’t your thing, any music lover would have had a blast. Simply walking around the park at dusk with pretty lights all around is enough to make anyone want to check it out.

The bouncy and light-hearted music is sure to keep you entertained, even if it’s just background music while you get your face painted.