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Media Release Volunteers

Do you love music? And working with other, like-minded, fun people? If so, the Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival is looking for you!

The Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival is the region’s largest and most exciting live-music showcase and is currently preparing its seventh year, which promises to be the biggest and best to date. As in past years, tens of thousands of people are expected to enjoy seven nights of entertainment featuring dozens of talented musical acts, both local and exotic in nature. This year’s event runs from August 4- 10th, and will feature talent to interest and excite music lovers of many different persuasions.

Staging such an event is complex and requires the help and dedication of many people. Therefore, once again this year, the Festival is seeking volunteer help in a number of areas to help make the event a success for the city and for the artistic scene in the region. If you love music, or love working with a number of lively people from different backgrounds, this might be a chance for you to shine and find new talents you did not even realize you possessed! In particular, the Festival would be interested in finding persons to assist with the following:

Food concessions: many of the events will have food and beverages available, so there is a need for people to man the concession stands and serve customers. As some events are licensed, applicants should be 19 or older, and capable of standing for long periods. Prior serving experience is a plus!

Hospitality: sociable and energetic individuals are needed to work within a team environment to ensure that hospitality areas at various venues are supplied with the necessary items.

Sales: various souvenirs such as t-shirts are available to guests and fans, and there is a need for persons to run the sales concessions. Applicants should love working with people, be alert and capable of providing top-notch customer service as well as managing inventory and working with cash. Previous sales experience would be an asset but is not mandatory.

Security: a vital component of the live music experience provided by the Jazz and blues Festival, security persons will keep order in the unlikely event of problems arising at one of the venues. People interested in performing this service should be physically fit, alert and capable of standing for long periods of time as well as exercising prudent judgment. Prior experience would be beneficial.

Site Crew: Unfortunately, the event sites don’t always come ready-made or set themselves up, so there is a need for people to help out in setting up, and dismantling the event sites in some cases. Some tents will need to be erected, and later dismantled, tables need to be set up and put in place and so forth. Energetic people with an attention to detail who are able to maintain a safe workplace for both participants and spectators are urged to apply.

Stage Crew: Here’s a chance to get close to the action! Get to know some of the musicians by helping set up the shows. Individuals wishing to do this should be strong and energetic, as there might be some physically demanding requirements related to unloading of equipment and such. Knowledge of stage lighting and sound equipment would definitely be an asset.

Volunteer Services: Persons needed to assist other volunteers in a range of possible duties, including getting necessary supplies or equipment on location with short notice. A valid driver’s license is most definitely an asset for these positions, as is a love of working with a range of different people and the ability to make quick, accurate assessments of situations and respond accordingly.

Sound good to you? If you love music, are interested in meeting other music-lovers and artisans and hearing some fantastic live music this summer, feel free to get in touch! Interested applicants should download the volunteer application at www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com, or contact:

Lee Mills, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival
Email:lee@oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com
Telephone: (905) 723-9922