Austin Airport To Participate In JetStream Music Festival

Tony Cantu
·2 min read

AUSTIN, TX — Just because we need to social distance amid the coronavirus scourge doesn't mean we can't enjoy music in a city that boasts of being the "live music capital of the world." With that sentiment in mind, local airport officials are moving forward to launch an annual concert series at the travel hub this month.

Following the success of the JetStream Music Festival earlier this year, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will once again partner with airports across the U.S. to host JetStream Summer Fest on Aug. 19, officials revealed on Thursday. The event will take place on Facebook Live with the theme “Live Music at a Safe Distance" as one of a dozen North American airports hosting the free, multi-hour livestreamed event.

The stream will feature performances by local musicians representing each participating city, including a special guest: Grammy-award-winning musician, Kenny Loggins. Those of a certain age will remember Loggins as an 80s hit maker, with such songs as "Footloose," "What a Fool Believes" (with Michael McDonald), "This is It," "I'm Alright," "Danger Zone" and so many others.

“Summer is a time typically full of music festivals and live events, especially in Austin, where millions of travelers from across the globe visit our city to experience what makes us the Live Music Capital of the World,” Jacqueline Yaft, chief executive officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said in a prepared statement. “While COVID-19 has forced us to adapt to new changes both in our community and nationwide, we are thrilled that airports across the country are joining us to bring even more live music direct to audiences’ living rooms.”

Austin's own Jackie Venson — an acclaimed singer/songwriter — is slated to perform and host the event scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. on each participating airports’ Facebook Live. Viewers can tip musicians through a virtual tip jar and can join the celebration on social media by using the hashtag #JetStreamFest. The full lineup for the festival:

  • Jackie Venson - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

  • Kendal Conrad – Lehigh Valley International Airport.

  • Ayana Sade – Pittsburgh International Airport.

  • Chuck Courtenay – Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

  • Destiny L. & Taifa - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

  • Bashiri Asad – Indianapolis International Airport.

  • Monte Skelton - Evansville Regional Airport.

  • Lucy Michelle - Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

  • Ribo Ruckus – El Paso International Airport.

  • Jason Feddy - John Wayne Airport.

  • Hilo Hi-Flyers – Long Beach Airport.

  • Champagne Sunday - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

  • Kenny Loggins – Santa Barbara Airport.

Click the highlighted text for more information and instructions on how to view the event on Facebook Live.

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch