Olde Towne East Jazz Festival
September
18th - 20th, 2026
FRI 5pm-10pm
SAT & SUN
1pm-9:30pm
2026 Theme
Celebrating Women's Impact - "HER STORY"
CME Credit Union Community Day
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Volunteer
Sign UP
Blackburn Park and Recreation Center
263 Carpenter Street
Columbus, OH 43205
About
Olde Towne east
Olde Towne East Jazz Festival was founded in 2023 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our organization designs events of cultural importance that will elevate the Olde Towne East and Near East side Communities. This year we have partnered with The Ohio State University Music Jazz Studies Program Head Michael Smith, Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association, Central Community House, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OSU Healthy Community Center and the Bronzeville Grower's Market, CME Federal Credit Union this year to bring awareness to Mental Health, Heart Health, Neuroscience/Brain Injury Awareness, Health and Wellness, Promote Family Unity with a Back School Project and Youth Participation Initiative.
Our Team
OLDE Towne East Jazz Festival
Event organizers
Ms. Selina Dawkins, CEO and Founder
Ms. Diane Dagenais, Social Media Strategist
Casjmir Briggs, Vendor Coordinator
Upcoming
Upcoming Events 2026
Bronzeville Grower's Market with OTE Jazz FestThu, Sep 10Maroons Arts Group Box Park
Olde Towne East Jazz Festival KickoffFri, Sep 18Blackburn Community Park
CME Federal Credit Union Community Day & Honoree PresentationsSat, Sep 19Blackburn Community Park
Olde Towne East Jazz Festival FinaleSun, Sep 20Blackburn Community Park
All Tickets Are Free!
Performers
2026 Festival Headliners
Friday
Demetrius Nabors
September 18 @ 830pm
Saturday
Althea Rene
September 19 @ 8pm
Sunday
Dr. Jazmin Ghent
September 20 @ 8pm
2026 Local Performers
2026 olde Towne East Jazz Festival honoree's
HER Story - Celebrating Women's Impact and exceptional commitment in Jazz and the community at large
Mary mcclendon
Lifetime Achievement Award
priscilla woodson
OTE Jazz Festival Legacy Award
jeanette williams
OTE Jazz Festival Icon Award
In her Eternal Memory
angela pace
OTE Jazz Festival HER Award
chief elaine bryant
CME Community Day Award
our sponsors
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TITLE SPONSOR
DS Health Solutions LLC
Community day Sponsor
CME Federal Credit Union
TITLE GRANT SPONSOR
Greater Columbus Arts Council
PREMIER SPONSOR
WJZD Jazz 98.5
Nationwide Children's Hospital
DONOR LEVEL SPONSORS
Music Go Round
Donatos
Mid Ohio Food Collective
DPI Graphic Design
DONOR GRANT SPONSOR
City of Columbus Parks and Recreation
history
Our
Target Area
Olde Towne East and Near East Side is one of the oldest areas in the city that has gone through transition and is in the process of urban renewal. It is under major revitalization and our goal is to be a part of this transformation and partner with other organizations to help improve this up-and-coming underserved area. We endeavor to remove the negative stigma and bring back pride to an once flourishing neighborhood. We set out to put Olde Towne East and the Near East Side community on the map as a unique and diverse Jazz/Arts Mecca while providing community outreach and youth initiatives.
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