Coming up Friday at the 28th annual Elkhart Jazz Festival on the Gateway Mile in downtown Elkhart:

“Superstar” opening: Janet Hines-Norris, this year’s winner of the “AARP Superstar” singing contest, will mark the official opening of the festival with her rendition of the National Anthem at 5 p.m. Friday on Civic Plaza. Following remarks by Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore, the 2015 EJF All-Stars will perform.

Art everywhere: From Main Street galleries to museums and historic homes, downtown Elkhart’s art scene is vibrant. This year, the Elkhart Jazz Festival has commissioned a number of artists to capture the fun and festivities. The finished works will be displayed and auctioned after the festival, and some may become part of themes and designs for the festival in future years. On Friday, artists will be working from 5-10 p.m. at various locations. Saturday hours are 1-9 p.m., and Sunday will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Super Bowl of Swing: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy hit the big time when their songs were featured in Vince Vaughn’s “Swingers,” and they performed at halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII. The high-energy ensemble is credited with bringing about the swing revival in jazz, and they’ll be headlining the first day of events when they appear at 8 p.m. in the Lerner Theatre.

Jazz appreciation: INOVA Federal Credit Union will welcome the Lena Seikaly Trio to its customer appreciation event, starting about noon at the corporate headquarters, 358 Elkhart Ave. The public can view the event from outside.

Catch them for free: Once again this year, all the music at the Civic Plaza stage on Main Street is free, as is the dance floor, thanks to Summer Dance Elkhart. The Friday acts will be:  Gene Knific Trio at 3:30 p.m.; EJF All-Stars at 5 p.m.; Dave Bennett Quartet at 6 p.m.; Kris Brownlee featuring Elizabeth Mis at 7:30 p.m.; Rica Obsesion Latin Jazz at 9 p.m.; and Tizer Quartet at 10:30 p.m.