Just got word from the organizers of Sounds Outside: Due to "insurmountable financial hurdles," this year’s jazz free-for-all in Cal Anderson Park has officially been canceled. The two-day concert series was slated for July 17 and August 28.

For five years, music collective Monktail Creative Music Concern (with help from Advocates for Abundance, an arts advocacy group) has hosted these free, all-day jam sessions in Capitol Hill, drawing anywhere from a dozen friends to 1,000 people with their funky "adventures" in music. Avant-jazz might not be for everyone, but there’s going to be a serious void without this event. Anyone else feel like gathering some friends to play Thelonious Monk’s "Pannonica"?

The official word from MCMC and Advocates for Abundance:

This unfortunate decision comes with a great amount of regret, however we turn our focus, hope, and vision to the other powerful artistic performances and activities cultivated by each of our respective community organizations, musicians, supporters, friends and partners.
More than ever, we encourage you to step outside of the box to connect, communicate, and collectively engage with each other. Though this decision marks the end of an era, it does not mark the end of an idea.