For a while, it seemed there would be no 11th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival. The downturn in the economy had forced sponsors to pull out. No sponsors, no money for performers or the big stage on Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis.

In fact, the show will go on. This year’s jazz festival will be shorter than previous years -- one weekend, not 10 days. And all of it will take place in St. Paul.

For the past three years, the festival was split between the two cities. Most events took place in Minneapolis, but some were held in Mears Park in Lowertown. That proved to be the perfect setting for a performance last year by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane that drew a crowd estimated at 3,000, about all the park can hold.

Festival board chair Kevin Barnes told MinnPost that the St. Paul connection was forged three years ago, when the jazz fest received support from St. Paul’s Cultural STAR program. Cultural STAR promotes economic growth in the city by strengthening the arts and cultural sector.

Lowertown businesses took note of the crowds that came to Mears Park for live jazz. This year, several have agreed to help cover the festival’s production costs, including the Artists’ Quarter, the Bulldog, Station 4, the Black Dog, and the Hat Trick Lounge.

The talent has not yet been confirmed -- I’ll report on that when I know more -- but here’s how the festival is shaping up:

Thursday, June 18: Jazz Night Out. Music at Mears Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Starting at 8, trolleys will depart from Mears Park for a circuit of stops at area clubs featuring live jazz from 9 to midnight. A $15 pin will get you on the trolley and into the clubs, which will offer food and drink specials. Jazz Night Out benefits the St. Paul Heritage and Festival Foundation, producers of the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Friday, June 19: Jazz at Mears Park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The music in the park must end at 10, but live jazz will continue at several club locations.

Saturday, June 20: Jazz at Mears Park from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by more in city clubs.

“In October, we pretty much decided we’d have to take this year off,” Barnes said. “But Lowertown business have banded together and we’re in. I feel really happy doing what we’re doing. In the midst of an economy going south, we have to look at refocusing. Mears Park is a beautiful location, a beautiful little urban pocket park, and it works.”