Enjoying it while it lasts at the Jazz Festival
If it was the last year of the Jazz Festival in Onset, it was certainly a nice way to go out.
An impromptu dance party opened up in front of the stage during Elan Trotman and Friends' encore performance at the end Saturday evening's concert.
Even though there were well over 100 attendees smiling, singing, laughing and dancing, Onset Beach Jazz Festival organizer Mikelyn Roderick said that due to lack of funds, next year's festival may or may not happen. She said she would have to take some time to think about it once the festival was over.
"I would've liked more people but I'm happy with it," Roderick said of the turnout. "We've had a great day, all the bands have been really great."
Before Trotman, a world-renowned saxophonist, took the stage with his band, concertgoers were treated to performances from the International String Trio, a Boston-based trio of guitar, violin and bass players; local jazz favorites The Groovalottos; and even a performance by Roderick and some of her friends.
There was also a performance by the "Voices of the Future," young jazz artists from the Wareham Middle School.
"The audience really liked the kids," Roderick said.
During the kids' performance, Roderick presented the Middle School with its donation of two acoustic guitars through festival's nonprofit organization MIMSS, which stands for Musical Instruments for Middle School Students.
Roderick and the festival plan on donating one more instrument to the Middle School, once the school officials tell Roderick what they need.
As for the future of the festival, Roderick said she's going to continue searching for grants and other sources of funding, and to try and get the community involved.
"There's no place like Onset in terms of community and visually what it offers. It's a perfect spot," she said.