Music lovers head to downtown St. Charles for 10th annual St. Charles Jazz Weekend

For West Chicago resident Kevin Woods, listening to jazz on a Saturday afternoon in downtown St. Charles was the perfect way to spend the day.

Woods was watching saxophonist Frank Catalano and his band perform on the First Street Plaza in St. Charles. Catalano performed as part of the four-day St. Charles Jazz Weekend, which wrapped up on Sunday.

He appreciates that Catalano is carving out a sound of his own.

“I’ve seen Frank about 11 times,” Woods said. “He’s a little different than everybody else. It’s not slow jazz either. It’s high tempo.”

His friend, Mark Jenkens, was thankful to be able to experience a live concert rather than a live streamed concert.

“Live music is the best,” Jenkens said. “I just like all the live jazz. It’s just a good, fun time in St. Charles.”

St. Charles Jazz Weekend featured acts playing at several venues and locations in downtown St. Charles, including Mount St. Mary Park, where the Sangalang/Duleba Duo was playing Saturday afternoon.

Performances didn’t take place on the First Street Plaza during last year’s St. Charles Jazz Weekend because of the pandemic. The festival was merged with the St. Charles Fine Art Show after it was cancelled because of the pandemic.

“It’s great to include our First Street Plaza for performances again, and we were able to set it up on the street this time, which actually works out great,” St. Charles Business Alliance Events Manager Amy Curione said. “I think it works out better than our old location on First Street Plaza.”

The other location was crowded because of all the tables set up for outdoor dining. She noted the new location allows for more social distancing.

“It’s a nice big area so people can spread out if they want,” Curione said. “And it’s nice that we partnered with the St. Charles Park District this year. We have jazz music at their event, Sip and Stroll.”

Sip and Stroll was held at the Park District’s Mount St. Mary Park. In addition, Chicago jazz singer Alyssa Allgood performed at the Park District’s Baker Community Center on Friday night.

“We hope to keep growing this every year,” she said.