Jazz in the City

Jazz in the City

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival returns this month and is set to electrify the city with a repertoire of local and international jazz greats. 

The festival is a world-class jazz presentation that provides a platform for performance, collaboration, education and engagement, encompassing both established and emerging artists. The extensive program attracts both young and old, from aficionados to novices and aims to increase the scope of the global jazz community.

Celebrating jazz as a fluid art form, the festival brings together golden-age greats and progressive new-age artists in the same program. It is a rare opportunity to experience the entire spectrum of modern-day jazz and hear some exciting collaborations.

The 2016 festival will run from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 12.

Program

The 2016 program is grouped into series – Modern Masters, Explorations in Jazz, Club Sessions, and Jazz Out West. A swag of international and local artists will be performing and there will be late-night jams, workshops, family events and free concerts. The schedule is extensive with a number of conflicting performances so it will pay to be organised. Make a shortlist and diarise accordingly!

Performances and events will be held at a range of venues throughout the CBD and surrounds, including ArtPlay at Birrarung Marr, Federation Square Main Stage and Federation Bells, QVM and St James retail precincts and Bennetts Lane Jazz Club.

Drink and Dine

Make a night of it and grab a pre-theatre dinner beforehand or post-show cocktail afterwards. There are a selection of restaurants and bars offering discounts for patrons during the festival. Our favourites are:

Burma Lane, 118 Little Collins St

This Burmese favourite has a pre-theatre/dinner banquet available from $29.50 per head and is offering a complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink on presentation of MIJF show ticket for the same evening.

Meat Fish Wine, 31 Artemis Lane

Seasonally driven and  farm-to-table inspired, Meat Fish Wine in the QV precinct is offering a pre-theatre banquet from $39 per head with a complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink on presentation of MIJF show ticket for the same evening.

The Moat Bar and Café, 176 Little Lonsdale St

The all-day European restaurant is offering a complimentary glass of wine with dinner on presentation of MIJF show ticket for the same evening.

Ticketing

There are a number of free events to take advantage of during the festival, most notably Los Cabrones at the Winter Night Market on June 8, otherwise ticket prices range from $25 to $120. If you’re finding it difficult narrowing down the shortlist, it may be worthwhile booking a jazz package. You can save up to 20 per cent when booking multiple shows, however this deal is only applicable to a selection of 13 shows. Visit www.melbournejazz.com for more information and to book tickets

Indulge in the smooth tunes of one (or more) of the top international musicians in town for the festival or check out some of the local emerging talent. Either or, be sure to get out and about and enjoy the festival that will have all of Melbourne in a soulful trance this month.

Since Labor has been in power …

Since Labor has been in power …

March 20th, 2024 - Evan Mulholland
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