The Community of Jazz is legally registered as a non-profit organization in June 2018 as 2126790 Alberta Ltd., our company objectives are “to provide, promote, and preserve the art forms of jazz music, street dancing, and related forms of art. To provide facilities for the arts; as well, to use these facilities to support other non-profit organizations, community groups, local businesses, and for family gatherings”.
History
We birthed out of the Sugar Swing Ballroom, after it was identified by founder Birkley Wisniewski that it was necessary that Sugar Swing Ballroom should focus its efforts on dance classes & events, and not on festivals & the facilities. An entire community had grown surrounding this organization with some different needs. Thus, a new organization was born!
Our main purpose is to further the arts and culture relating to jazz music and street dancing. In general, we are making Edmonton have a stronger arts scene, especially with jazz music and dancing! Here’s a couple other examples of how we currently benefit the general public:
- We host dance workshops, live music festivals and concerts. These are primarily marketed to the general public where anyone can join us. This is to educate and entertain the public, as well as further the skills of local performers & artists.
- We hire local performers and artists at these events, helping them further their careers and showcase their talents. If the artists are from out-of-town, they’ve been hired to amplify and augment the experience of the artform for our customers and local artists
- We are a Fringe Festival BYOV space, showcasing many different productions every year
- Our venue is available to rent by the general public
- Our facility offers artist-friendly rehearsal and rental rates, making them financially accessible. It is being used to both preserve and progress art forms that influence Edmonton’s culture. Tap, swing, jazz dance; swing music; flamenco; Nia — our artists would otherwise struggle to exist because they have no space.
Subleasing/Renting
Although we are available for anyone to rent, we are not available for sublease