The Mykle Lyons Sextet sounded more like a full jazz orchestra with their big, bold sound. Photo by Andrea Worker.
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After a full Jazz Week at Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza that featured live music in several of the local restaurants, merchant activities and even special film showings like “Lady Sings the Blues,” the 10th annual event finished off on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a Jazz Festival with an impressive lineup of talent on the outdoor stage. The various jazz and rhythm and blues performers had the crowds rockin’, dancing, and even singing along right from the 1 p.m. start to when the Dixie Power Trio helped close out the fun around 9 p.m.
Visitors to the free festival had plenty of entertainment and edibles options on offer from the resident Lake Anne merchants, as well as the specialty food and beverage tents set up just for the occasion. The usual Saturday Market vendors were all still set up and attracting the crowds with artisan foods, clothing, jewelry and other enticing items, and the water vehicles-for-hire folks were doing an extra brisk business as children and adults all took to paddle boats, canoes and kayaks to tour the lake to the accompaniment of jazz sounds that echoed all around the plaza and across the water.
Shoppers were also treated to discounts, samples, and free consultations and exhibits from a number of the Lake Anne commercial tenants like Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, PetMAC Pet Nutrition, Chesapeake Chocolates, Reston’s Used Books, and more.
Sponsored by Lake Anne Merchants, Friends of Lake Anne, the Reston Community Center and Reston Association, this year’s Jazz Week and Festival went off without a hitch. Despite tropical storm concerns, the weather cooperated, and the only hurricanes in sight were of the New Orleans style liquid variety – a perfect complement to the music being celebrated.