‘Jazz on the Hill’ provides fun outdoor entertainment

Allison Whittman/Exponent Photographer FUN IN THE SUN: Alexander Medare, 12, plays Frisbee while enjoying the "Jazz on the Hill" concert on Saturday at Slayter Hill.

By Nicole Arias
Staff Writer

"Should I go," one seven-year-old girl hesitantly asks her parents as her younger siblings dance near the stage.

When her siblings wave to her she asks, "Should I just watch?"

She decides to watch.

Everyone at the "Jazz on the Hill" concert has a similar decision to make. The decision is theirs of whether to dance, eat, talk, sit or play football or Frisbee at the outdoor concert that allows the audience to enjoy the music however it wants to.

The "Jazz on the Hill" concert was Friday evening at Slayter Center. The free, three-hour concert featured the Concert Jazz Band, Lab Jazz Band, Alumni Jazz Band and the Purdue Jazz Band.

"I love being outdoors and I love jazz," said Stephanie Korschot, a Lafayette resident and a Purdue alumna. "It is a perfect combination."

She said she has enjoyed all of the performances, especially the livelier pieces.

A group of six sophomores said the concert is something fun to go to before finals. They said they liked the solos because they give the musicians time to show their personality and talents.

Missy Brennan, a sophomore in the School of Liberal Arts, said she especially liked the Alumni Jazz Band's performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Bruce Erickson, a professor in the School of Agriculture, and his wife, Kathleen, have been coming to the concert for 4 years.

Their three children have welcomed the tradition.

"They were in the car before we were," Kathleen said.

This year, the two younger children mustered the courage to dance on the floor in front of the stage.

At first, the two-year-old boy and five-year-old girl stood at the edge of the floor often waving to their parents, sometimes bobbing back and forth. Gradually, they began jumping and running as they moved closer to the stage.

The children on the dance floor entertained people besides their parents.

"I'm enjoying watching the little kids dance," said Gordon Hamilton, a Lafayette resident. "Some with rhythm, some without," he added, smiling.

The group of sophomores also made watching children dancing a favorite pastime when at the concert.

One particular girl caught their attention.

"It was really cool," said Stafanie Krajewski, in the School of Liberal Arts. "She was doing the Charleston. She was doing the kid thing — kicking her legs and sticking her butt out."

Despite the attention the dancers were getting, applause followed every piece and many followed the music with a tapping foot.

Even as the sun set and the cold wind increased, many people stayed until the end.

"There's something about the wind and the music that makes it feel so good," Kathleen Erickson said.

 

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