Pianist Jeanne Arland Peterson remembers going to the Paradise Theater on West Broadway as a child and paying a nickel to see a movie. In 1927, when the Paradise opened its doors, there were 13 movie theaters in north Minneapolis. Today only the Paradise, now called the Capri, still stands.

Owned and operated by the Plymouth Christian Youth Center, the Capri recently underwent the first phase of a renovation intended to make it an important destination once again: as a performance venue, arts center, and community center. The lighting is new, the sound system is updated, the acoustics are improved, the lobby is larger, curtains have been installed onstage, and the marquee lights are shining, complete with electronic message boards.

Theater director Karl Reichert calls it "a remarkable transformation. For the amount of money we invested, our architect [Baker Associates] did a terrific job. ... We have a grander vision, a $10 million campaign, but with the realities of the economy, we didn’t want the Capri to sit there waiting. We felt we could make an investment now."

Announcing the upgrades at a press conference in January, Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak, honorary chair of the Capri Theater Renaissance Campaign, described the theater as "a beacon for changing times on West Broadway." Rybak has also said, "I want this to be our Apollo," referring to the legendary Harlem showcase.

The architect and contractors were working on a stiff deadline; everything had to be ready this week. On Saturday night, the Capri reopens with a concert worthy of the Apollo: "A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne & Joe Williams." Starring Dennis Spears (the Capri’s Artistic Associate), Debbie Duncan, and Charmin Michelle with the Wolverines Classic Jazz Trio, it’s packed with old favorites.

"We’re featuring 'Stormy Weather,' 'From This Moment On,' and a Joe Williams medley with 'Every Day I Have the Blues,' " Spears says. "Debbie’s doing 'Airmail Special,' 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket,' and a special surprise. ... The Wolverines will do an opening number written for Duke Ellington that features Dick Bortolussi on drums. We’ll use the new curtains for that. You’ll see. It’s a hot way to open the show."

Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne & Joe Williams. With Charmin Michelle, Dennis Spears, Debbie Duncan, and the Wolverines Classic Jazz Trio: Rick Carlson (piano), Keith Boyles (bass), Dick Bortolussi (drums). 7 p.m. Saturday ($25), 3 p.m. Sunday ($15), Capri Theatre. Tickets at Uptown Tix. Saturday is sold out; check for turnbacks at the door.

Most interested people know this by now, but in case you haven’t heard, don’t look for this year’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Hot Summer Jazz Festival) on Peavey Plaza or Nicollet Mall or the Millennium Hotel bar. (I confess; I will miss those after-hours jams at the Millennium.) After losing its major sponsors and getting no support from Minneapolis, where it has spent the past 10 years, the festival has moved to St. Paul, where Mayor Chris Coleman, local chambers, sponsors including Northwestern Foods and TDS Telecom, and local clubs and businesses are welcoming it with open arms.

Headliners Allen Toussaint and Esperanza Spalding should draw big crowds to Mears Park in Lowertown. Participating clubs the Hat Trick Lounge and the Artists’ Quarter will feature the Atlantis Quartet, Fat Kid Wednesdays, and festival stalwart Jon Weber. (Read last year’s MinnPost profile of Weber here.)

Find the complete schedule at the Festival’s website or pick up a program at a participating club. If only someone had created a one-page downloadable and printable PDF.

Friday and Saturday, June 19-20: Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Most of the festival happens on the main stage in Mears Park in Lowertown (5th Street E. & Sibley), where admission is free. The Hat Trick Lounge (134 E. 5th St.) is not charging a cover this weekend. Cover charges apply at the Artists’ Quarter (Hamm Building, Lower Level, 7th Place & St. Peter St.) but it’s worth paying $10 to hear Weber play in that small, intimate room. Mears Park: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Hat Trick: 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Artists’ Quarter: 8 p.m. to close Friday, 9 p.m. to close Saturday.

Pamela Espeland keeps a live jazz calendar and blogs about jazz at Bebopified. She throws out the occasional jazz-related tweet.