One of the main complaints I hear from people in Idaho Falls is that there is nothing to do here, unless you want to pay way too much money to go out to dinner or to a movie. It seems our community is somewhat lacking in ‘culture’, correct? I know for a fact that statement is amazingly wrong! Our small town contains a large jazz community full of small groups and big bands. The trick to finding the upbeat tunes is knowing where to look at who to ask. For example, The Cellar often has live music on weekend nights.
Jazz music is actually enjoyable for people both young and old. In fact, the current ‘rock music’ actually came from the fun rhythms and quick beats first established by jazz music. Its easy on the ears but still fun and exciting. Few people know that Idaho Falls is quickly becoming the New Orleans of the west. Jazz dances provide entertainment for the whole evening with songs ranging from Latin to Swing to Ballads! No matter how picky your musical tastes are its almost guaranteed that you’ll find something that you’ll enjoy.
If you’re looking for big night of local live jazz tunes that will have you tapping your toes in no time, then the event that you’re looking for may be occurring this month! On February 23rd starting at 7:30 PM at the Shilo Convention Center in our very own Idaho Falls, two local jazz bands will be hosting the 3rd Annual Big Band Sound! The “EITC” Jazz House Big Band and the Skyline High School Jazz Band will be providing the music for the night. Free refreshments will also be available. The entrance fee is cheap, a simple recommended donation of $5 per person at the door or $8 a couple. All donations will be contributed to the Skyline High School Band in order to help them go to festivals and get Idaho Falls known even more!
So lets band together as a community and assist Idaho Falls in becoming the New Orleans of the west. Make this dance the event of the year, something everyone in our community looks forward to! The past two years we have had an amazing turn out, great dancing, and none of our visitors were disappointed. So, mark your calenders for Saturday, Feb. 23, 7:30 PM at the Shilo Convention Center as the the Third Annual Big Band Sound. Refreshments, live music, and dancing, what more could someone want on a Saturday night?
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
While I appreciate your post and giving us some music ideas, I hardly think Idaho Falls is becoming, how did you put it, the “New Orleans of the West”?? I think that’s a bit of a stretch don’t you? Idaho Falls will never be a big “music town”. Sure we have a few local bands, but nothing to brag about. I would urge you to travel outside of IF some more and see what everyone else offers.
If me and my friends want to enjoy some good music, and I mean everything from hard rock, to country to Jazz to big band & swing, we go to Salt Lake City for the weekend. Unlike Idaho Falls and their live band once or twice a month, (with a high school band or two thrown in for good measure) you’ll find live music being played every night of the week at a hundred different venues throughout the city.
I understand the difference in size between our cities, but to claim we’re the “New Orleans of the West”, is just silly. Even Jackson has a better music scene than we do.
Regardless, I do appreciate your post and you offering us an alternative to a dinner and a movie.
I should probably specify by saying that I didn’t coin the phrase or the idea ‘New Orleans of the West”, but more I’ve heard it claimed bymany others. In fact, we have a new, but growing, Jazz Club in our Town. By saying ‘NEw Orleans of the WEst” I believe its more saying that our town will be (at least locally) known for its great jazz music, not that we’ll have the best music everywhere of every kind.
I encourage anyone and everyone who lives here to take a trip at least once up to the big University of Idaho Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival held every February (20-23rd this year). It has received the national medal of arts award, and it is awesome.
I was not a big jazz fan until I worked the show one year and got to watch a few shows. It is really well done, held in the Kibbie Dome.
If Idaho Falls could attract a large music festival like that it would be awesome, but I am afraid we have a long way to go. I don’t care for country music but I imagine a country music festival would probably be our best bet.
If “others” are claiming this is the New Orleans of the West, they obviously haven’t traveled very far out of the city limits, let alone the state.
But whatever, it sounds like it’ll be a good time.
Very good point Joe. Also I’d like to tell you all that ISU (much closer to home) will have a Jazz Festival Saturday the 9th all day!! ANother great way to get into the jazz festival. I didn’t think the ‘New Orleans’ thing would become such an issue, its just a way to encourage ya’ll to listen to jazz
Thanks for the info. Sounds like something “different” to do. Jazz is definately an “acquired” taste, so I don’t think it’ll ever be THAT popular here in the north west part of the country.
But this is just one more reason why we desperately need a new convention center built in IF. Having a convention center will bring more national music acts “of all flavors” to town. When were they supposed to be voting on that anyway? Haven’t heard much about it in the past couple months.
Please, why would we want to be compared to that sewer called New Orleans?
see… I told you there was nothig to do around here!
Obviously you’ve never been to New Orleans…
I have ben to New Orleans many times. How else would I know what a sewer it is?