New Orleans in the early 1900s was marked by extreme poverty among blacks and a brutal police force with a history of spying on African-American churches. Rural blues and the voice-like instrumentals of black church music poured into New Orleans like a river of polyrhythms, changing the European dynamics of melody. Many white musicians in that environment absorbed what blacks were playing, added touches of their own, and in the case of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, made the first jazz disc. Next, the America's Classic Jazz Festival in Lacey was born. We might have left out a few other significant American classic jazz moments of history, but the then result is the America's Classic Jazz Festival opens June 27 and you're all in. An upbeat mix of ragtime, jazz, swing and blues is on the menu for the 23rd annual festival. Saint Martin's University will transform into Dixieland during the festivities presented by the Greater Olympia Dixieland Jazz Society, with some of classic jazz genre's notables such as Buck Creek Jazz Band, Tom Hook and His Terriers, Wally's Warehouse Waifs, West End Jazz Band, Grand Dominion, High Sierra JB, Titan Hot Seven, Uptown Lowdown, Wolverines, Yerba Buena Stompers and Brady McKay. There are too many dance parties, special events and after parties to list. You need to check out olyjazz.com baby.

AMERICA'S CLASSIC JAZZ FESTIVAL, Thursday, June 27-Sunday, June 30, times vary, Saint Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey, $15 Kick-off Party Thursday, $25-$50, olyjazz.com