The festival runs on volunteers. Every year a small crew of people who love live music give up a few evenings and weekends to make the shows happen. Some of them have been doing it since the early years. Most of them come back.
You do not need experience. You do not need to know anything about jazz. If you can show up on time, stay calm when something goes sideways, and treat people well, you will fit in fine.
What volunteers do
Shifts are usually four to five hours. Most roles sit in one of a few areas:
- Front of house – taking tickets, checking passes, helping people find their seats or the bar
- Stage and backline – helping bands load in and out, keeping the stage area clear, running water and towels to the green room
- Merch and info – selling shirts and CDs, answering questions about the schedule, pointing people to the right venue
- Hospitality – looking after artists between sets, making sure they have what they need before they go on
- Setup and takedown – chairs, signage, tents, the unglamorous stuff that makes the rest work
You can ask for a specific role when you sign up. If you have a preference for working the church series over the late night shows, or you would rather be outside than inside, say so and we will try to match you.
What you get
Every volunteer gets a festival shirt, a pass that gets them into shows on their off hours, and food during their shift. You also get the backstage view, which is honestly the best part. Watching a band you have never heard of walk off stage grinning because the room was with them is something you do not forget.
Who can apply
Anyone 19 and over. Some roles need a little more physical effort, like moving gear or setting up chairs, so let us know if you have limits and we will work around them. Students, retirees, people new to Charlottetown, people who have been here their whole lives. All welcome.
How to sign up
Send us a note through the contact page and tell us a bit about yourself. What you do, why you want to help, which nights you are free. We start building the schedule a few weeks before the festival and we will get back to you with details.
If you have volunteered before, mention it. We keep track of our returning crew and try to give them first pick on shifts.
One last thing. Ask anyone who has worked a shift at the festival and they will tell you the same thing. The people are the reason it works. The committee has always been quick to say it, and the feedback from audiences over the years has been the same. If you are on the fence about signing up, take that as a nudge.