Events on March 1, 2025
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52nd Annual Larry McWilliams Dimensions in Jazz Festival
8am to 9pm @
Music Instruction Building, Ball State University
1809 W Riverside Ave, Muncie, IN 47303
About
Entering its 52nd year, the Larry McWilliams Dimensions in Jazz Festival attracts over 35 high school jazz bands annually. The bands participate in jazz band and combo competitions as well as clinics. The day ends with an evening concert featuring the two winning bands from the day’s competition and the Ball State Jazz Lab Ensemble with special guest artists. Ball State Jazz faculty and invited guests present clinics and judge the competitions.
Guest Artist: Alexis Cole
Called "one of the great voices of today," by Jonathan Schwartz, and praised for her “Impeccable control and style” by Michael Feinstein, Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O'Day. A Top Winner of the Jazzmobile Vocal Competition judged by jazz icons TS Monk, Catherine Russell, Grady Tate and Dr. Billy Taylor, 3rd prize winner in the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, and a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Competition, Alexis has a dozen albums to her credit on Motéma, Chesky, Venus Records and Zoho. She has recorded with such artists as Fred Hersch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Don Braden. She’s been a soloist with the Boston Pops, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has headlined at clubs around the US and Asia.
As an educator, Alexis was the head of vocal jazz at the conservatory at SUNY Purchase and counts Grammy Winning Samara Joy and rising star Anaïs Reno as her students. She is the founder and director of JazzVoice.com, an online educational community featuring singing classes, professional development sessions and private lessons from a roster of renowned jazz vocalists and educators. And she is artistic director of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit. Her most recent release “Jazz Republic: Taiwan, The United States and the Freedom of Swing” features original arrangements for big band and orchestra, performed by Alexis with the Taipei Jazz Orchestra. Alexis' latest endeavor is MusicAuditions.com, a website to connect musicians to employers.
Learn more about the Ball State University Jazz Ensembles.
Betty’s Cabin Activity: Storytime Saturday
11:30am @
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Betty's Cabin
1200 N Minnetrista Pkwy
Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year.
Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.
Steampunk Meet-up March Edition
6pm @
Common Market
900 W 8th Street Muncie
The Steampunk Consortium continues to host a Monthly Meet-up for members and friends who enjoy dressing up and coming out to spend a little time in the good company of friends.
Please feel free to join us at Common Market.
Pizza and other foods, as well as beverages, are available for purchase. There is no other cover charge for attending.
This is an excellent opportunity to show off the outfits you have been creating, learn of ideas for future steampunk-themed adventures, and enjoy friendships in a safe environment.
We encourage you to dress up in your steampunk-themed finest, but it is not required.
- Ball State Jazz Ensembles with Guest Artist Alexis Cole and Honor Bands 7:30pm @ Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State University Corner of Riverside and McKinley
Cost: General Public: $8 in advance / $10 at the door Seniors: $5 in advance / $7 at the door BSU Faculty/Staff: $5 in advance / $7 at the door Students: free* in advance / $5 at the door About
Two honor bands of the 52nd Annual Larry McWilliams Dimensions in Jazz Festival perform with the Ball State Jazz Ensemble I and guest artist Alexis Cole. This concert will also be livestreamed.
Called "one of the great voices of today," by Jonathan Schwartz, and praised for her “Impeccable control and style” by Michael Feinstein, Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O'Day. A Top Winner of the Jazzmobile Vocal Competition judged by jazz icons TS Monk, Catherine Russell, Grady Tate and Dr. Billy Taylor, 3rd prize winner in the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, and a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Competition, Alexis has a dozen albums to her credit on Motéma, Chesky, Venus Records and Zoho. She has recorded with such artists as Fred Hersch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Don Braden. She’s been a soloist with the Boston Pops, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has headlined at clubs around the US and Asia.
As an educator, Alexis was the head of vocal jazz at the conservatory at SUNY Purchase and counts Grammy Winning Samara Joy and rising star Anaïs Reno as her students. She is the founder and director of JazzVoice.com, an online educational community featuring singing classes, professional development sessions and private lessons from a roster of renowned jazz vocalists and educators. And she is artistic director of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit. Her most recent release “Jazz Republic: Taiwan, The United States and the Freedom of Swing” features original arrangements for big band and orchestra, performed by Alexis with the Taipei Jazz Orchestra. Alexis' latest endeavor is MusicAuditions.com, a website to connect musicians to employers.
Learn more about the Ball State University Jazz Ensembles.
Program
To be announced.
Tickets
Tickets available through the College of Fine Arts Box Office located at Sursa Hall starting August 1.
Prices
- General Public: $8 in advance / $10 at the door
- Seniors: $5 in advance / $7 at the door
- BSU Faculty/Staff: $5 in advance / $7 at the door
- Students: free* in advance / $5 at the door
*One (1) free student ticket per ID is available in advance (before 5 p.m. on the night of the concert) at the College of Fine Arts Box Office
Purchase Options
- ONLINE
- Phone: 765-285-8749
- In person: Monday through Friday from Noon to 5 p.m., or starting 1 hour before the performance
