‘Jazzin’ the Quarter’ benefit aims to unite community, uplift arts

ALBANY — Renaissance Connection, a nonprofit run by Femi Anderson, will host its Jazzin’ the Quarters: Spring Edition benefit featuring the Groove Central Band on April 29.

Jazzin’ the Quarters will include performances by Groove Central and vocalist Heather Hayes, the daughter of soul legend Isaac Hayes, as well as live art and an auction.

Anderson first organized the benefit in October of 2016. Since, it has always been held on the first month of each yearly quarter, specifically on the last Sundays of these months. She said she has watched attendance “grow from 96 people to 400” during that time.

Prior to being registered as a nonprofit in 2012, Renaissance Connection was a for-profit company. Anderson said it “became more of an outreach organization” when it got more involved with the local art community. Now, the nonprofit has a partnership with the Dougherty County School System’s Art Department, and the Children of the Dream Youth Art Competition and Exhibit is the result. The exhibit displays art by middle and high school DCSS students and travels throughout the southwest Georgia area.

The money collected from Jazzin’ the Quarters ticket sales will go toward paying performers, making awards for the art competition, traveling, marketing and other operational costs.

For those interested in attending, the benefit will be held at Chehaw park’s Creekside Center from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, which will include a Jazz Supper Club entree. Tickets will be $40 at the door (in limited supply), and $275 for tables for eight people.