It's time to jazz it up in Manly again, with the 33rd annual Manly Jazz Festival which kicks off this Friday, 2nd October for a whole holiday weekend of fun, frivolity and fantastic sounds.
If you haven't experienced this fabulous festival before, you don't know what you've been missing. And you don't have to be a huge jazz fan either. There's a wide mix of cool sounds with everything from traditional and classic jazz to contemporary and modern jazz to Dixieland, swing and even Latin, funk and blues.
There are a few stages to choose from. The Oceanfront Stage of course has the beautiful Ocean beach as background scenery. There's also other stages spread around Manly, for example the John Speight stage, the Manly Wharf Forecourt Stage and the stage by the Manly Council Chambers.
This year's spectacular line up is second to none and includes many amazing national and international performers.
Highlights include
Emma Pask, whose unique voice has made her an international sensation,
George Golla Quarter (a fine guitarist), wonderful jazz vocalist
Mr. Percival and you're sure to enjoy the smoky baritone voice of
Doug Parkinson.
There's kindy jazz for the young 'uns, the roving sounds of festival regulars Hot potato and the New Orleans Rascals and take a pew by the Council Chambers to listen to some up and coming jazz performers such as the Senior Jazz Band of Manly Selective Campus (fantastic!), plus other school bands.
Of course, the restaurant and cafe owners have the usual array of delights to fuel you up for all that dancing. And to cool down after all that foot tapping, you're never too far from a delicious creamy ice-cream.
You can catch a
ferry direct to Manly Wharf from Circular Quay or if you decide to drive there's the Hop, Skip and Jump free community bus to take you from the outskirts of Manly right into the heart of the action.
For further info on this fantastic free event, see the
festival website and for further transport information,
click here.
