Evening Out with Jazz

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | The Mercantile on Main | 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

You’re invited to Evening Out with Jazz, an evening to celebrate the role the arts play in our community, and experience it with all of your senses. Gather with community-minded neighbors as the Rochester International Jazz Festival fills downtown Rochester with music and energy. Expect resonant connections, live music, summer drinks, and elevated bites.

Your ticket supports the Arts & Culture Fund, helping ensure our region remains a place where everyone can access artistic excellence and creative expression. Evening Out with Jazz offers two ticket types:

• Standard Ticket: includes admission, complimentary drinks and food.
• Patron Ticket: includes the standard ticket plus an additional charitable contribution in support of the arts & culture fund. Patron Sponsors are recognized at the event for their generosity and play an important role in expanding the impact of the evening.

Please purchase your tickets by June 10 to reserve your spot.

Evening Highlights

• Live jazz music by students from the Eastman School of Music
• Opening performance by Alicia Christina Vazquez
• An intimate conversation between Tito Puente, Jr, Nestor Torres, and Simeon Banister
• Latin-inspired hors d’oeuvres, including patatas bravas, crispy plantains, quesitos & more
• Seasonal mocktail/cocktail offerings
• Convenient parking at St Joe’s Garage with free validation at the event

Exclusive Fireside Chat with Tito Puente, Jr. and Nestor Torres

Rochester International Jazz Festival headliners Tito Puente, Jr. and Nestor Torres (performing at Parcel 5 across the street at 9:00 p.m.) will share their wisdom during a fireside chat with Community Foundation President & CEO Simeon Banister.

Tito Puente, Jr. nurtures the musical legacy of his father while mixing mambo, Latin, and tropical styles to create a powerful musical blend of his own. Nestor Torres is a Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican flautist know for a melodic and exuberant sound.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of their music or new to Latin jazz, we’re sure you’ll leave with fresh appreciation for the many ways music can bring us together.

Opening Performance by Alicia Christina Vazquez

Alicia Vazquez is a Puerto Rican flautist from Rochester, New York.

She graduated from the RCSD and the Eastman Pathways Program. She now holds a BA in Music and an MS in Special Education. She’s performed in various settings, including a sold-out concert with Arturo Sandoval at SUNY Fredonia and a master class performance with Nestor Torres in Ohio.

As the owner of Alicia Vazquez Music and a band teacher for the past ten years, she is dedicated to inspiring the youth of her community through music education and performance. 

You can find her on Instagram here.

Payment by Mail

Note: For payment by mail, please make checks payable to Rochester Area Community Foundation, memo line: Evening Out. Checks should be mailed by June 10th and addressed to:

• Rochester Area Community Foundation ATTN: Evening Out — 500 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

For questions or more information about Evening Out, email Kayleigh Meagher or call 585.341.4331.

A Special Thank You To Our Patron Sponsors