Joe’s Jazz and Blues Fest 2014, June 21 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A free concert at Powderhouse Park .

By Cathleen Twardzik

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is returning this year. Mayor Curtatone, who was a trumpet player in the Somerville High School Jazz Band, came up with the idea.

The Somerville Arts Council (SAC) event will occur on June 21 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A free concert at Powderhouse Park will take place.

The concert will launch with The Somerville High School Jazz Ensemble. Then, get ready for Laura Grill Band, Racky Thomas Band, Mark Zaleski Band, Joey Vellucci Quartet and New Black Eagle Jazz Band. Finally, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones will round out the day.

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Fest 2014 will also include other shows, which will occur on other dates. See Glenn David Andrews Band at Johnny D’s on June 20 at 8 p.m., Kathy Olson, Randy Pingrey & Mark Zaleski at The Green Room on June 22 at 3 p.m. and Aardvark Jazz Orchestra at Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church on June 28 at 8 p.m.

“We issue a call to artists. And we have a jury of four folks review all the submissions. This year we had around 30 acts apply. We always look for different sub-genres within the broader genres. It’s nice to mix it up and get some different sounds. We rarely have returning acts. There is enough talent that we want to spread around who we present. And that goes for practically all of our events,” said Gregory Jenkins, Director of Joe’s Jazz Fest.

Debra McLaughlin, partner of 3 Graces Productions (left) and Jennifer Lawrence, partner of 3 Graces Productions, (right) created Trash Bash.

On Sunday, June 22 at the Uniun Warehouse, 11 Sanborne Court in Union Square from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Trash Bash will be the second annual recycled art contest. The event is an ArtsUnion event, which will be presented by 3 Graces Production (www.3gracesproductions.com) and Uniun Warehouse (www.uniun.com).

Last year, the inaugural event received support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, via the ArtsUnion program of the Somerville Arts Council, which are both supporting the event this year, as well as “20 backers of our kickstarter campaign,” said Jennifer Lawrence, Partner of 3 Graces Productions, whose partner is Debra McLaughlin, Partner of 3 Graces Productions.

“3 Graces’ Trash Bash began in 2013, as the first program of our newly-created company. It had all of the elements that the ladies of 3 Graces love: art, sustainability and local business,” she said.

“This was Deb’s brainchild! She saw that there was a clear hole in the Somerville events community in the area of arts competitions, especially those surrounding creative reuse. Somerville has a thriving and large artist community. As of a few years ago, there were more artists per capita here than anywhere else in the U.S., outside of Manhattan. I believe this is still true. We had to do this. Deb found several other recycled arts competitions in the U.S. and Canada, and we were able to use those events as guides to creating our own,” said Lawrence.

The entry deadline for the contest was June 6. It was required that all entries were made of recycled materials.

First prize in the adult category and the youth category will be $100, second prize and third prize in both categories will be from local business sponsors, and to round it out, honorable mention will be awarded for best use of recycled content, creativity and originality. However, each entry will be given a certificate of recognition.

Additional activities will occur at Trash Bash. 43 artists will be showcased. In addition, music by The Soulful Souls! and 3D and the Greaseballs will be featured.

Somerville Local First will be at the event to discuss the local economy. Interestingly, Lawrence and McLaughlin are on that board. Also, Next Step Living will do workshops and sign individuals up to receive free home energy audits. 3 Graces Productions and Minimum Wage Art will make “a community art piece out of recycled bamboo furniture, repurposed t-shirts, and cloth pieces,” she said. Workshops by Somerville Skillshare will also be available.

At a future Trash Bash, “We are hoping to have some youth-led workshops in 2015, and are playing around with the idea of having more extensive workshops,” said Lawrence.

For additional information, interested individuals may email info@3gracesproductions.com.