Press Release Saturday - June 2, 2006 Blues and Jazz Festival Kansas City Music

The Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival
September 1-3, 2006 at The Woodlands Horse Track.

FREE FRIDAY NIGHT OUTDOOR MOVIES DEBUT THIS WEEK
Kansas City Music Kicks Off
“Wire to Wire Family Entertainment Season” at the Woodlands

Kansas City, KS : Watch out Kansas City! There’s no room for boredom with the 2006 Wire-to-Wire Summer Series at the Woodlands Race Track in Kansas City, Kansas. From movies to music – and with a whole lot more entertainment in between – area residents are sure to be pleased with this first-time series.

The summer-long fun stretch is the brainchild of local businessman and event planner Mark Valentine, of Kansas City Music. Valentine is famous for bringing back Kansas City’s Labor Day Weekend Blues and Jazz Festival last year and moving it into its new home at the Woodlands. Due to the success of last year’s festival and the comfortable surroundings of the Woodlands, Valentine has expanded the fun with a wide array of summer entertainment.
“Kansas Citians are looking for comfortable, inexpensive ways to have fun with family and friends,” says Valentine. “And we’ve got just the right mix for COOL entertainment both in temperature and entertainment lineups.”

Valentine’s use of the term “cool” references the Woodlands’ covered grandstand, which makes enjoying outdoor entertainment all the more pleasant. In addition, the Woodlands also offers free and easy parking, disability-accessible seating, and security. Established as a premier horse-racing track in the Kansas City, Kansas area, the Woodlands management negotiated with Valentine and a mutual respect was the result.

"We had to establish a trust with Woodland's management in order to pull this off," Valentine said. "We proved to them that we would fully respect this facility -- and we will."

As for the entertainment, Valentine says THAT is the coolest!

Beginning with FREE Friday night movies, patrons can enjoy the night air and a lineup of blockbuster Hollywood favorites. Then, it’s on to the KC Dream Job Fair, June 17th, for those who want to bolster their careers. The Wire to Wire Summer Series will also host the Famous Car Road Show, July 22-23, the KC Combat Self Defense and Family Security Show, Aug. 5, the Youth Fairs of America children’s fun festival, Aug. 26-27 and conclude with the “grand finale” the ever popular Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival, Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-3.

“Many of the events are free – thanks to our impressive list of sponsors,” says Valentine, “so there’s no reason to stay at home this summer. Head on out to the Woodlands and take advantage of three solid months of entertainment!”

And this just in, adds Valentine:

"Famed musician and crowd favorite Bo Diddley is scheduled as one of the featured headliners for this year’s Blues and Jazz Festival."

More about Diddley’s performance and all of Wire to Wire’s Summer Series can be accessed through their website, www.KansasCityMusic.com

According to Valentine, many of Kansas City’s best known businesses are to thank for sponsoring the series. Those sponsors include: State Farm Insurance, Southwest Airlines, Kansas Army National Guard, American Red Cross, Cumulus Broadcasting, Boulevard Beer, Jazz Louisiana Kitchen, Time Warner Cable, Big Dudes Music City, KCStory.com, Barley’s 39th Street West, 3rd Friday Art Walks, The Woodlands, 810 Zone, The Blue Moose, Wyandotte County Visitors Bureau, 75th Street Brewery, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Bacara, O’Dowds, Kansas City Blazers and Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Fest.

“These companies have made it happen – so enjoy!”

Visit The Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival Website >>

Betsy Donnelly
Media Relations
email: betsy@kansascitymusic.com
phone: 913.236.7757

Copyright 2005 : Kansas City Music Blues and Jazz Festival

Tickets are only $17.50
Children Under 12 Free with adult

On Sale June 1

The facility will hold 30,000.
The covered grandstand will shelter
Kansas City Music lovers from the sun and elements.
There is plenty of free parking.
The level, paved and patrolled parking lots
will allow the physically challenged to attend
as well as those partial to high heels.

Tickets are only $17.50
Children Under 12 Free with adult

or
All TicketMaster outlets including Hen House
or charge by phone at 816-931-3330