From Staff Reports and the City of Apopka
In Summary:
A special edition of Saturday Sounds will take place on April 18 at the Apopka Amphitheater from 5 to 8 pm. The International Jazz Day celebration will feature performances by The Eighth Note Collective and Josephine Swing. The free, family-friendly event will include live music, food trucks, and open seating for attendees.
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The Apopka Saturday Sounds concert series will take center stage this weekend with a special extended performance celebrating International Jazz Day at the Apopka Amphitheater.
Set for Saturday, April 18, the free community event will run from 5 to 8 pm and feature live jazz music, food, and family-friendly entertainment at the amphitheater at 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway.
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Presented by HAPCO, the event will feature performances by The Eighth Note Collective and Josephine Swing, two ensembles bringing a mix of classic jazz, big-band swing, and original compositions to the stage.
The Eighth Note Collective includes a lineup of local musicians, featuring Paul Chong-You on trumpet, Ed Krout on keys, Jose Figueroa on bass, Rion Smith on drums, Caila Carter on vocals, and Derrick Harris on trombone. The group is known for its blend of traditional and contemporary jazz styles.
Josephine Swing, led by Santiago Parra-Romero, comprises alumni of the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensembles and will perform a lively set of danceable jazz standards and original works.
The evening will be hosted by Sterling Stevenson, known as “The Voice of Bragg” at Bragg Memorial Stadium and host of The Top 10 Countdown on Soul95.com.
Saturday Sounds is Apopka’s ongoing free concert series held on select weekends, typically from 5 to 7 pm, though this special event extends an extra hour. The series began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to safely bring the community together and has since grown into one of the city’s signature events.
With more than 1,300 amphitheater seats and additional lawn space, the venue offers flexibility for attendees, who are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. Guests can also bring their own food and beverages or purchase items from on-site food trucks.
The amphitheater is ADA accessible, and the event remains free to the public.
As the city continues to build its identity as a destination for live entertainment, events like Saturday Sounds—and special showcases like International Jazz Day—highlight Apopka’s growing cultural scene while providing a consistent gathering place for the community.
Key Points:
- Event set for Saturday, April 18, from 5 to 8 pm.
- Held at the Apopka Amphitheater on Jason Dwelley Parkway
- Features The Eighth Note Collective and Josephine Swing
- Free, family-friendly event with food trucks and open seating
- Part of the ongoing Saturday Sounds concert series
