THE CHARLESTON JAZZ CRAWL

Cultural Exchange Festival & Parade

Three days of events bring the multicultural, collaborative festival and parade back to Charleston after a four-year hiatus.

TICKETS

ARTISTS

April 8th – April 10th 2022

Confirmed New Orleans performers are Big 6 Brass Band, Second Line “Footwork King” Scubble, and Big Chief Jeremy Stevenson of the “Black Masking” culture of New Orleans. Performers and artists from the Charleston area who may be interested in collaborating during the weekend’s festivities can apply.

OPEN CALL FOR

artistic collaborators

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH

Festival
Launch Parade

7pm | Charleston City Night Market

FREE EVENT

Last Call for Artistic collaborators!

A “Mardi Gras Indian” performance and pop-up second line parade inviting collaboration and participation from organizations, cultural groups, dancers, musicians, youth groups, community members and others in Charleston to join in the weekend festivities.

What is a "pop-up" second line parade?

A spectacle of artistic expression, cultural exchange joy, and community bonding. Stemming from the New Orleans cultural tradition of Jazz Funerals and neighborhood “SAPC Second Line Sundays”, the second line parade has evolved into many forms. Pop-up second lines are usually added to weddings, events, and festivals for an instant dose of exciting energy and joy.

How can I participate in the parade?

The term “second line” refers to the growing group of people that follow behind the “first line’, which is the brass band and parade organizers or performers. You are encouraged to join in the parade by following behind the musicians. There will be second line umbrellas available for people to use to add more energy and vibrancy.

There is also opportunity to join the musicians and dancers as an artistic collaborator.

What sort of music will there be?

It will be an improvisation of Mardi Gras Indian percussion with call and response song alongside drums and horns, and whoever else wants to join the community expression of art and cultural exchange.

When and where does it start?

Parade formation will begin at 7pm at the Charleston City Night Market. For more precise details about getting involved contact us.

What is a "Mardi Gras Indian"?

Black Masking Indians (often called Mardi Gras Indians) are an expression of self-love and self-pride, with an emphasis on African religious and cultural origins. It takes a full year of hand-sewing, beading, and feathering their annual suit and crown that they reveal with great anticipation on Mardi Gras Day.

The community participation that fuels the music, dance, and rituals is a rare and unique sight to see in New Orleans.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH

Grand Marshal Party & Royal Coronation

Saturday, April 9th | 2-5 PM

free event

Let the good times roll!

this year’s Grand Marshal is Bill Wilson, A Prolific Charleston Musician. He will be recognized and celebrated on Saturday at Lo-Fi Brewery where we will randomly crown the King, Queen, Dukes and Maids who will lead Sunday’s downtown parade. There will be live musical performances and a mini parade.

What is a Grand Marshal?

In SAPC second line parades, the grand marshal leads the first line and uses a whistle to direct the club and band. He/she is usually the most electric dancer that excites the crowds, inspiring them to dance.

In Mardi Gras culture, parade “Krewes” elect honor someone to be their annual Grand Marshal. Most of the time it is someone influential in the community or a popular celebrity.

The Jazz Crawl highlights both of these traditions by selecting an influential figure in the host city to lead the parade as Grand Marshal while also showcasing SAPC Grand Marshals from New Orleans to put on a show with their energetic parade dancing and second line “Footwork”.

Why is there a "Royal Coronation"?

We crown royalty to lead the big Jazz Crawl parade to highlight a longstanding Mardi Gras tradition. More than 125 private balls are presented each Carnival season throughout the grandest venues of New Orleans. Each Carnival organization, otherwise known as a Mardi Gras Krewe, selects a mock royalty to reign over the annual festivities and big parade. The Royal Court is traditionally made up of a King and his Dukes and a Queen and her Maids. The method of selecting individuals for this great honor varies among the different organizations. Many newer krewes stage elaborate ceremonies called “Coronation Balls” to celebrate the crowning of the year’s royal court. SAPC organizations (second line clubs) also crown a to rule over their annual “Second Line Sunday” parade.

How can I be crowned King or Queen?

You can purchase entries ($10/each) for the random drawing that will elect Jazz Crawl royalty on Saturday, 4/9 (2-5pm at Lo-Fi). Once the entry period ends we will pull 5 tickets for the King’s court and 5 tickets for the Queen’s court. The 10 finalists will be brought to the stage where the women are given concealed roses and men are given concealed Mardi Gras doubloons as a highly anticipated reveal determines who is crowned King, Queen, Dukes, and Maids for the year.

What sort of entertainment will there be?

The entertainment will be highlighted by the Royal Coronation, live music, and dancing. There will be beer and wine served at the bar and design station for people to create their own second line umbrellas for Sunday’s parade.

Who will be performing?

Local musical lineup put together by Bill Wilson will share the stage with one of the hottest second line brass band from New Orleans, the Big 6 Brass Band. The Treme Sidewalk Steppers Grand Marshal, Rodrick “Subble” Davis III, known in New Orleans as “Footwork King” will electrify the brewery with his second line dance moves. There will also be a Mardi Gras Indian musical performance and demonstration.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH

Charleston
Parade Party

1pm | Gibbes Museum Courtyard

GET TICKETS

an interactive Artistic Collaboration!

the Parade Party is a multi-cultural Carnival costume party with music, dance, food, open bar, contests, memorial tributes and more. It is a ticketed event intended to bring fun-loving groups of people together for a wildly interactive party with edutainment before bringing the dancing Onto King Street to close out second sunday on king.

What is a "Parade Krewe"?

“Krewes” are the organizations that organize and ride in Mardi Gras parades. There is a long history and evolution of Mardi Gras Krewes of all sizes and themes, ranging from the “Super Krewes” with big floats down to neighborhood krewes sometimes called “Marching Krewes” or “Marching Clubs”. Group participation is strongly encouraged, with discounted ticket packages and fun group contests, including the “Super Krewe” contest to see who is able to bring the most people together.

Do I have to wear a costume?

“Krewes” are encouraged to develop their own costume theme, show up in matching colors, or rep their brand, but wearing a costume or joining a krewe is not required. If you can’t think of a fun costume theme you can go with the over-arching “Royal Purple” or “Carnival Time” Jazz Crawl themes. More details about costumes and contests will be announced.

What sort of entertainment will there be?

There will be improvised collaborations, interactive demonstrations, and cultural presentations with percussion, dancing, food, art, film, and more.

What does "All-Inclusive" entail?

There will be food and drink items available as a first-come, first-served offering to those with a VIP ticket. Most group options are all-inclusive at or below the price of a general admission ticket so assemble your “krewe” or find one to join!bas

Are kids allowed?

All of Sunday’s parade day programming is family friendly. Children under the age of 18 can come with an adult for the General Admission price. There is also the opportunity to bring the kids out around 4 to join in the “second line” parade.

How do I join the party?

First you have to purchase a ticket to the Parade Party. We will be using the back walkway and gate of Gibbes Museum courtyard (next to Charleston Library Society) for the event entrance. It is also where we will exit the grounds onto King Street for parade formation. The event is part of the Second Sunday on King festivities, so further information about parking can be found here.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH

Second Line Parade

for Charity

4 PM Lower King Street

free event

The Grand Finale

A spectacle of artistic expression, cultural exchange joy, and community bonding. The Second Line Parade for Charity is a New Orleans-style second line parade through the streets of Downtown Charleston and is the keystone event of Jazz Crawl Productions.

What is a Second Line Parade?

A New Orleans second line is a parade and celebration of life which traces its origins to the preservation of African traditions at Congo Square traditions and have evolved through traditions of jazz funerals and “Second Line Sundays”. Central components of a traditional New Orleans second line are Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, brass bands, and the uplifting blend of community, movement, and music.

How can I participate in the parade?

A second line parade is not something with barricades that you watch pass-by. It is something you partake in by joining in behind the band and other revelers. The most fun way to participate in the parade is putting together or joining a “Krewe” and joining us at the pre-parade party. The community expression of art and joy is what makes second line parades so euphoric. Artists are especially encouraged to come out and join the spectacle of community, art, and culture.

How can I get my logo in the parade?

One of the most unique offering we have for supporting sponsors and partners is the ability to align one’s brand imaging with a spectacle of community, art, and joy. We create custom branded second line umbrellas, banners, parade hats, shirts, beads, and more.

When and where does it start and end?

Parade formation will begin around 4:15 on King Street outside the Gibbes Museum back walkway (next to Charleston Library Society). The procession will then start once all the bands, dancers, royal court, Mardi Gras Indians, and costumed revelers make their way onto King Street. The parade will stop before Calhoun St. for the final “cut-up”

What are second line memorial tributes?

Memorial tributes are different donation levels that honor the memory of a loved one and support Jazz Crawl artistic performers and educational efforts like our “Brass Crawlers” program. The sentiment honors the tradition of New Orleans “Jazz Funerals” and the African inspired remembrance rituals and ancestral beliefs. Tax exemption letters available upon request.

Assemble or Join a
SUPER
KREWE
For more parade options

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