Volunteering: the best gig in town
It takes a village to help put on one of Winnipeg’s largest music festivals, and the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival’s 300+ volunteers are essential to the event’s success year after year.
For one longtime volunteer, there’s a simple reason why so many Winnipeggers get involved.
”Everybody who’s volunteering wants to be there. They like the music,” said Daryl Godkin, a member of the event safety crew who first volunteered with the festival in 2003.
“It’s always interesting to see all these different people from all these different walks of life coming in and volunteering… people that are teachers, there are some people who are retired; sometimes it’s young students. It’s always quite interesting to see all the different people that come out and enjoy listening to music.”
Learn more about the excitement of volunteering on the latest episode of our Alleyways podcast!
The music
Matt Duboff, photography crew:
“It’s a great way to see music. I love going to concerts, so to be able to see all the great shows that the jazz festival brings in, volunteering is a great way to do it.
If you have a love for live music, it’s a great way to support live music in the city.”
The lasting memories
Marianna Hrynda, merchandise crew:
“I think one of the many moments that stands out in my mind from the jazz festival was the night that Moon Hooch performed at the Cube stage during my shift.
I have never seen so many people at the Cube before! Everything was packed and everyone was dancing!
People from all walks of life came together and shared this passion for music. It was incredible to be a part of that.”
The people
Amita Khandpur, bar crew/emcee:
”I come back every year because my crew is so awesome. We have so much fun.
It’s a big deal for me to go back, and you have that family of people that come back every year. And not only the bar crew, but the whole family of volunteers.
We have a solid group of people that come and give up their time. The 300+ volunteers – how would the jazz festival work without a team?
All those people are there for the same reason, to make this festival great.”
Interested in volunteering for this year’s festival? For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Alexa Potashnik, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@jazzwinnipeg.com, or apply to volunteer here by April 30.