[Dixielandjazz] jazz in Australia

[sam meerkin / evelyne perks]

Hi Richard.
Pleased to hear from you.  I'd love to show you some Oz hospitality if you come our way, as would any other listmates, I'm sure.  If you can get here before Xmas, one of the greatest and longest running OKOM happenings in the world takes place from Dec. 26th - 31st every year.  The 61st Australian Jazz Convention is being held in Adelaide, SA this year and the 62nd in Goulburn, NSW in 2007. It is held in a different city or town each year, so we get to visit a different part of our vast nation each time.  Musicians and bands from all over get together for a great reunion, casual blows and non stop jamming for a whole week.  It's great fun.  Nobody gets paid, but it's very professionally run by volunteers in first class facilities with many stages & venues.  Last year it was in tropical Lismore, northern NSW, and it ended with a great new year's eve bash, mass jam session and parade outside the town hall as it often does, much to the bemusement of the townsfolk.
  It's pretty hot at that time of year just about anywhere in Australia, so having a cool ale and listening to hot dixieland is not a bad way to suffer our summer.  There are various OKOM festivals around at that time of year.  My favourite is the Hall's Gap, Grampians Jazz Festival, held in Western Victoria in early Feb.  It's a quaint town in the middle of a national park and kangaroos, koalas and other wildlife species for which we're famous, are everywhere and unafraid of tourists.  It's a breathtaking experience in a fabulous setting - listening to OKOM, breathing the eucalyptus laden, fresh air and admiring the bush scenery.  Bill Haesler can tell you more about what's happening in his state, but there's always something happening somewhere in OKOM.  Come visit us "Downunder"   Most of us who love OKOM have met at the AJC and have a network of contacts nationwide, so you'd be in good hands anywhere - depending on your tastes in music.
Best regards,
Sam Meerkin

Richard wrote:
  I would like very much to obtain your advice and guidance.  I will probably visit in the early part of 2008 (Maybe January or February).  I want to plan my rip around OKOM happenings.  I have met and talked with Eric Holroyd, Steve Waddell and Ross Anderson as they have performed here in our state.  I have also befriended Graham Martin in Brisbane area.  I would like to know what festivals are likely and the dates of such in early 2008 so that I can set my travel dates.  Thanks in Advance.  RVR


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