Do you like jazz? If you do, you're in luck. 

On February 10, Great Plains College will be hosting a Jazz Night, featuring a variety of performances showcasing jazz music. 

Performers such as the College's own CEO, Brad Mahon, will be performing live at the event. Other performers include Darian and Lara Folks, as well as Swift Current's own Highschool Jazz Band. 

Helping set up the big night is Ryan Smith, program coordinator at Great Plains College, who was pitched the idea by members of the Student Association.

"They're big music fans," said Smith. "We just want to encourage that and then for community outreach, letting everybody know about the College as part of our mandate."

They plan to fund this event themselves, out of pocket. They will subsidize the event themselves, paying the performers while only charging $20 a ticket for guests. With food and refreshments available, it promises to be a big night of dance, music, and exposure to some uniquely American sounds. 

Jazz itself originated in New Orleans during the late 19 and 20 centuries, it emerged from the roots of blues and ragtime. Featuring the big sounds of the large brass bands at the time, it incorporated swing with blues, and call and response vocals to emerge as its own kind of sound.

A hundred years on, Jazz is still rolling its way through lounges, ballrooms, and smokey old bars. Here in Swift Current, Great Plains College will be offering a snippet at some of that century-long development through their local talents.

"I'm just really excited about the opportunity to actually showcase some of the great music we have here in Swift Current," said Smith. "My students who set up the event really pitched this as a night to remember and something fun for us to do."

Anyone interested in helping sponsor the event can give Smith a call at 306-778-5467. For ticket information, you can contact Great Plains College at 306-773-1531.