Venues
Each of our Festival venues offers a unique listening environment, and most Festival-goers make a point of experiencing all of them. Others prefer to remain in their favorite spot and let the bands come to them.
All five venues are quite small and intimate, creating a rapport between musicians and audience that both say makes the Evergreen Festival a very special experience. Free shuttle service runs every 30 minutes connecting the venues, and food and beverages are available at all venues.
Evergreen Elks Lodge
The Evergreen Elks Lodge had its first (short) life in the early ’60s as a bowling alley. Local Elks established the Evergreen Lodge in 1967 and rented the downstairs as a clubroom. In the early ‘70s the Elks purchased the entire building and turned the bowling area into a large ballroom, providing plenty of space for seating, dancing and, of course, musicians., Today’s jazz fans enjoy the Lodge not only for its roomy dance floor, but also for its intimate patio where their favorite bands are accompanied by refreshing mountain air.
Evergreen Lake House
Evergreen Lake House was built in 1993, and this beautiful log building has become a focal point for concerts and other community cultural events. Renowned for its scenic beauty and surrounding park, the Lake House is always a hit with Festival patrons, and as at all the venues, dancing is encouraged!
Evergreen Lake Dam was completed in 1922, and the surrounding area was converted to recreational uses, including hiking trails, picnic facilities and a public golf course, complete with clubhouse and restaurant. Nowadays, fishermen enjoy catching rainbow trout and tiger muskie, ice skaters flock to the lake during winter months, and a popular walking trail encircles the entire lake. (Please note: the lake trail is not ADA compliant.)
Evergreen Christian Church
Built in 1962, Evergreen Christian Church completed construction of a new sanctuary in 2000 with special consideration for contributing to the arts community, particularly live performances. The facility boasts incredible acoustics that provide a truly special listening experience and is just a short walk from the Elks Lodge. In addition to hosting three days of jazz, the Church is home to the Sunday morning gospel service featuring the Queen City Jazz Band and belt-it-out vocalist Wende Harston. Now a longstanding Festival tradition, the service has been standing room only every year.
Center Stage
New for the 2024 Festival, Center Stage provides another up-close-and-personal listening environment with comfortable theater seating and top-quality acoustics. Within easy walking distance of the Elks Lodge and Church, Center Stage has earned a reputation for excellence as the home of The Evergreen Chorale, Altezza Chamber Choir and Ovation West Theatre Company with its award-winning productions of such shows as Fiddler On The Roof, Funny Girl, Nunsense and many others. In addition, the Ovation West Concert Series regularly presents performances by many national and regional artists. As with all Festival venues, Center Stage offers food and beverage service every set.
Enjoying jazz on the Elks Patio, the perfect place to get some fresh air after cutting a rug in the Elks Ballroom.
Evergreen Lake House provides a mountain park setting for enjoying world-class jazz. For the energetic jazz fan, a trail connects the Lake House to downtown shopping and dining.
Evergreen Christian Church, a short walk from the Elks Lodge, offers amazing acoustics. The church also hosts the Sunday morning gospel service.
Center Stage, nestled within the trees a short walk downhill from the Evergreen Christian Church. Fully accessible, Center Stage hosts local performances year round.
Center Stage Evergreen hosts musical events just downhill from the Chuirch. Small Jazz Combos and Children's Chorals keep the theater busy. Enjoy a break under the shady hillside setting