The best moments of Harvest 29 1/2

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harvest Jazz & Blues festival couldn’t hold large in-person celebrations this year. But the pandemic didn’t stop festival organizers from keeping Frederictonians entertained. 

Brent Staeben, programming director for Harvest, said they held a virtual event through their Facebook page on Sept. 19. Artists submitted videos to the organizers, which were later combined into a single show. 

“We hoped people would have viewing parties at home to celebrate Harvest, and based on our social media response, I think we achieved that,” said Staeben.

Viewing parties took place at popular downtown nightspots like Klub Khrome, The Cap and Dolan’s Pub. Concertgoers gathered at physically distanced tables to watch shows through projectors. 

Performances included music from Chicago-based Fruitland Jackson and Fredericton-based Jenn Russell. The event also featured archival footage from past festivals, including a performance from Mavis Staples in 2018. 

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Saint John-based band Womb to Tomb performs at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Jillian Wong from Womb to Tomb plays a Bodhran at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Jasmine Wong, left, and Ian Sherwood, right, from Womb to Tomb perform at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Scott Michaud, left, and Patrick Gushue, right, from Montgomery Street Band perform at the Charlotte Streets Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Liam Keith-Jacques, left, and Jason Flores, right, perform at the Charlotte Streets Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Patrick Gushue from Montgomery Street Band plays his fiddle at the Charlotte Streets Arts Centre. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Theresa Malenfant shouts out the blues with Scott Medford at the Tribute Bar & Lounge. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Scott Medford plays an acoustic guitar solo at the Tribute Bar & Lounge. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Theresa Malenfant moans the blues with Scott Medford at the Tribute Bar & Lounge. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Scott Medford performs at the Tribute Bar & Lounge with Theresa Malenfant. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Bands like Kill Chicago submitted their performances to create the three-hour event. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Residents gathered at the Dolan's Pub patio to enjoy Harvest 29.5. (Aaron Sousa/AQ)

Leading up to Sept. 19, Harvest sponsored several in-person performances at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre and the Tribute Bar & Lounge. Those shows included acts like Montgomery Street Band, Womb to Tomb and Theresa Malenfant with Scott Medford.

Staeben said organizers would be “playing it by ear” over the next few months to understand the type of festival they can put on next year. Still, he said crews set “modest goals” and were pleased to achieve and exceed them in some ways.

“We wanted to see a group of people come out to experience live music in the downtown [area] and [support] our downtown bars and restaurants,” Staeben said. 

Video taken by Shannon Nickerson/AQ.