Queenstown JazzFest - Forecasting A Long, Jazzy Weekend

Queenstown is set for five glorious days of grooving as the 2011 Queenstown JazzFest launches this evening. (Thursday 20 October).

Queenstown JazzFest spokesperson Luke Baldock said local music fans were buzzing in anticipation of the event, which featured everything from ticketed concerts and free gigs through to street performance, art installations and movies.

“It’s a very exciting programme and while ticket sales have been steady, we’re warning people not to leave it to the last minute,” said Mr Baldock. “We’re seeing an upswing in bookings now for all the ticketed events from the Jazz Brunch to the Dinner series, so we’re expecting the final tickets to sell fast.”

A case in point was the final tickets for Fat Freddy’s Drop which are being offered as a two for one deal online through Ticketek or I-Site Queenstown.

“It’s fantastic value at $70 for two people,” Mr Baldock said. “Fat Freddy’s Drop is one of New Zealand’s top bands and we’re delighted to have them as our headline act this year. They’re not to be missed”

Mr Baldock said he was expecting big crowds at the Jazz Stage at Earnslaw Park on Sunday for a feast of free music from 12 noon onwards.

“It will be the perfect prelude to what we hope will be a night of great rugby with New Zealand taking on France in the Rugby World Cup Final,” he said. “People can come down and enjoy some great music right through until 7.00pm then head off for dinner before taking in the game somewhere. It’s all part of the fun.”

Mr Baldock said a series of workshops “Mix with the Masters” featuring a number of JazzFest performers would take place on Saturday at the Queenstown Resort College. The cost was $20 per workshop and bookings were advised.

Full details of the 2011 Queenstown JazzFest workshops and programme are available online at www.queenstownjazzfest.co.nz

Tickets are available from the following venues:

Jazz'n'Beats - Fat Freddy's Drop (NZ) Friday 21 October

Queenstown Memorial Hall

Buy your Tickets for $70 + booking fee (R18) from:

Ticketek - Online: www.ticketek.co.nz or Phone: 0800 TICKETEK (842538)

i-Site Cnr Shotover & Camp Street, Queenstown

Queenstown Events Centre Joe O'Connell Drive, Frankton

Queenstown Young Jazz Performers - Tribute Night 7:30pm Saturday 22 October

Queenstown Memorial Hall

Buy your tickets for $20 from the front desk at Queenstown Lakes District Council or Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown

Skyline Jazz Brunch - Craig Naughton Quartet (AUS) Sunday 23 October

Buy your tickets for $51 from Skyline Queenstown - Phone: 03 441 0101

Dinner Series @ Wild Thyme - Stevie Rice Quartet 6:30pm Friday 21 and 7:00pm Saturday 22 October

SKYCITY Queenstown Casino

Ticketed dinner $55 (R20). Includes a special 3 course menu with complimentary glass of bubbles. Bookings essential: (03) 441 0400

Dinner Series @ threesixty - Reuben Bradley Trio 7pm Friday 21 and Jason Thornton Quartet 7pm Saturday 22 October

7:00pm, threesixty Restaurant & Bar at Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Ticketed Dinner - $59 Includes a special 3 course menu with complimentary glass of bubbles. Bookings essential: (03) 442 5360