Agenda for meeting: Jazz it up!

There will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, in the Marshall Public Library meeting room.

The subject: Creating a jazz festival in Marshall.

Why?

July 28 "red dog" posted a comment on The Marshall Democrat-News website responding to the news that Marshall Cinema would close in a few weeks:

"There has been much written on the blogs concerning the closing of the Marshall Cinema. Most who have posted their thoughts are of the idea that Marshall is experiencing death throes.

Is Marshall soon to be a ghost of the past? I say no, but many think otherwise. I say Marshall has never slid backwards and is currently gathering strength once again to surge into the future."

The comment ended with a call for people to toss out ideas that might help the city get that surge going.

Then "What the f...." posted an idea:

"I don't think that most people realize, or care that our native son, Bob James is one of the biggest names in jazz music. ... Marshall should re-connect with it's native son (whom I've had the pleasure to meet) and strive to become the jazz mecca of the mid-west. If done right this could be a very successful annual or bi-annual event but It COULD NOT BE DONE HALF-HEARTEDLY."

The meeting Thursday is open to anyone who has any interest in contributing in any way to exploring the idea.

It's a great idea -- no question -- but we have to find out if we have the wherewithal to make it work. WTF is right. Half-measures will not do.

But new music festival could be just what Marshall needs. Music and Marshall go together, that's for sure. But our wonderful groups -- the Municipal Band, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Community Chorus -- should serve as a foundation, something to build upon.

The Marshall Cinema, we now know, is being purchased and will close only briefly. But the close call with losing our only movie house may serve as a wake-up call, a sign that we need to act on our ideas, not just bat them around online a bit.

I hope anyone who loves jazz and loves Marshall will stop by Thursday and take part in making this idea become a reality.

Bob James video of the day: