Meijer Supports 30th Anniversary of Detroit International Jazz Festival

Makes Education Stage and Food Drive Possible

DETROIT, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Education is at the heart of the Detroit
International Jazz Festival's programming and outreach, and Meijer, a Michigan
based company celebrating 75 years, has stepped up to the plate to support it
at the 30th Annual Festival, September 4-7. Known for its contributions to
family oriented programs and youth, Meijer will make possible an Education
Stage and a family friendly "Kid Bop" area at America's largest free jazz
festival. Invited high school jazz bands, ranked among the best in the state,
will represent 11 Michigan communities as they perform on the Meijer Education
Stage in Campus Martius Park.

Public high school jazz bands from the following communities will be
represented: Detroit, Ann Arbor, Warren, Northville, Grand Rapids, St. Clair
Shores, Ferndale, Waterford, Utica, Clarkston and Ionia. "Meijer is very
pleased to partner with the Detroit International Jazz Fest," said Scott
Seling, group vice president of operations for Meijer's East Region. "The Jazz
fest is a wonderful Detroit tradition and we are excited to help bring a
family-focused component to the event."

The family activities will extend from one end of the 2M square foot festival
to the other as Meijer is also co-sponsoring the Kid Bop Area on Hart Plaza,
where "wee boppers" and their parents enjoy storytelling with Rob McCabe, tap
dancing with MADD Rhythms with special guest Rod Ferrone, scat 101 with Jahra
Michelle McKinney and more.

Meijer and the Detroit International Jazz Festival are also asking those who
attend the free festival to consider those in need. According to Gleaners
Community Food Bank, it is estimated that 93,000 individuals in Michigan will
lose their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. "Because of the
growing need, I thought it was important that we do something to support the
food banks," said DJF Board Member Dr. Stanley Berry. With Gleaners
experiencing a 50% increase in demand for services, an on-site food drive will
also be held at the Jazz Festival.

Guests can simply bring a non-perishable food donation to the Meijer Truck, at
the Northeast corner of Jefferson and Woodward, September 4 from 3pm-8pm,
September 5, 6 & 7 from 11am-8pm. Girl Scouts will be volunteering at the
Food Drive on Saturday at 11am. The first 20 to donate 50lbs or more of food
will win a prize package from the Detroit International Jazz Festival and
Meijer. "Gleaners is grateful to Meijer and the Detroit International Jazz
Festival for bringing attention to the issue of hunger during one of our
region's signature events," says W. DeWayne Wells, president of Gleaners
Community Food Bank. "Demand for emergency food will continue to grow as the
holidays approach and more of our state's workers exhaust their unemployment
benefits. There couldn't be a better time to support our hungry neighbors than
right now."

The Detroit International Jazz Festival brings an estimated 750,000 guests to
Downtown Detroit on Labor Day Weekend to enjoy world class musicians on five
stages, creative shopping from artists and vendors, culinary treats and family
friendly activities. Approximately 23% of guests come from outside Michigan,
bringing much needed tourism dollars to the state. Throughout the year, the
festival provides educational outreach to public schools and partners with
other non-profit organizations such as the Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit
Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Public Library to
present jazz artists and outreach programs. The festival is made possible by
the following sponsors: Mack Avenue Records, Chase, Carhartt, Meijer,
Absopure, The Joyce Foundation, Erb Foundation, MGM Grand Detroit, DTE Energy
Foundation, DTE Energy, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Budweiser, Citizens Bank,
National Endowment for the Arts, Saturn, Seldom Blues, Delta Skymiles,
Nintendo Wii, Pepsi, Damon's Grill, Michigan Council of the Arts & Cultural
Affairs, Baja Smoothies, American Laser, Jackson FiveStar Catering, Splendid
Plates and individual donations. For more information, visit
www.detroitjazzfest.com.

Contact: Peggy K. Goodwin, APR
248.376.0390 cellular
248.414.4533 office

SOURCE Detroit International Jazz Festival

Peggy K. Goodwin, APR, +1-248-376-0390 cellular, +1-248-414-4533 office, for
Detroit International Jazz Festival