NEWS AND UPDATES – September 2017
Planning
Planning for the 2017 Australian Jazz Convention is in full swing. With just over three months to go, members of the Executive Task force can happily report the convention is on track to be another greatsuccess.
Ballarat
The 72nd convention will again be held in Ballarat. The decision to hold the convention in Ballarat again, was voted and decided onat the 2016 AGM. The Executive Task Force will again be responsible for the running of this event.
Executive Task Force Team
The team consists of:
Ken Hill (Chair), Rod Andrew, Reg Packer, Lucia Packer, Colleen Wright, Chris Gildersleeve, Mike Tovey, Don Anderson, Margaret Anderson, Hugo Pfander.
Contractor
It was decided at the 2016 AGM that a paid contractor be appointed to assist in the running of the convention. Expression of interest were called for and after consideration, the contract was awarded to Gerard Ballinger. Gerard is based in Ballarat and owns and operates an Event Management business, Ballarat Events.
Venues
The venues being used, are same as 2016, except Lydiard Wine Bar is not available in 2017 and is being replaced with a new venue called Housey Housey (next door to Forge Pizzeria). Suttons House of Music is not available as a Blackboard venue, a new venue is being sourced.
Musicians and Delegate Registration
Registrations from Musicians and Delegates are now being accepted.
Please encourage people to register as soon as possible, including Youth.
Youth under the age of 25 can register as a musician at NO COST.
REGISTER ON LINE NOW -
Piano Recitals
Oddie Room Ballarat Fine Art Gallery 28th & 29th 4-6pm
This year, the number of soloists will be reduced. The recitals will be held in the Oddie Room of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. Confirmed soloists to date are: Bruce Gourlay, Kim Harris, Robbie Mann, Steve Jewell, Johnathan Wade, and AdeIshs.More details to follow.
Shuttle Bus Service
A shuttle bus service will again be available this year. Full details of time-tables and routes will be available at closer to the convention and at the convention registration desk. Details will also be printed in the Official Jazz Program.
Music Industry Trade Fair– The Mining Exchange 27 – 30th December
This event brings together a variety of commercial and private entities and attending musicians involved in the music industry, with the common aim of providing a unique focal point during the Convention for musicians to meet and greet their mates and share experiences.
For Musicians the fair can be a valuable source of information and for Delegates and collectors of music and memorabilia a small treasure trove worth examining
Although some merchants at this year’s Music Industry Trade Fair are still to be locked in we expect to provide opportunities to purchase Vinyl recordings (be quick for these), Estate books, CD’s, Cassettes, Ink & Hide Leather goods, Plump Cushions, beautiful hand tailored Waistcoats, the Australian Jazz Museum will be represented and one of the favourites, the Australian Jazz Fan that is now 33 years old having first appeared in 1984. If it’s hot you’re not with one of these fans. See you at the Fair.
If you have a product or service you feel would complementthe convention, direct your enquiry to RodAndrew phone 0408 103 141 or Gerard Ballinger 0419 582 361.
Workshops
The Executive Task Force is now in the process of finalising the topics for proposed workshops. More information to follow.
Street Parade – 27th December at 10.30am – Bridge Mall
The annual street parade will again be held in the Bridge Mall on 27th December commending at 10.30am. Musicians to assemble at 10am Cnr Peel St & Bridge Ball, marching the entire Mall to Grenville St and returning to the centre of the Mall where the Massed Band Blow will be conducted. Tunes for the parade will be announced soon.
The Convention encourages Ballarat citizens to join the parade. Children are especially invited to participate. Bring a tin lid to bang. Ladies dress for the occasion and the entire parade is a show of colour and happy toe tapping music. Decorated parasols add striking colour to the parade.
After many years of leading the parade, Terry Hayes has handed over the baton as to Graeme Hallam. Graeme has been Drum Major at Halls Gap for many years. The Executive Task Force would like to sincerely thank Terry for his many years of colourful leadership.
Twilight Public Concert – 27th December 6-9pm - Alfred Deakin Place
Once again, there will be a free concert to be held in Alfred Deakin Place. The aim of the concert is to thank the good folks of Ballarat for allowing the Australian Jazz Convention to take over the Lydiard Street precinct for the duration of the event. Bands performing at this Concert will be listed on a notice board in the Mining Exchange.
Original Tunes Competition – 30th December 10am – Mechanics Institute
The 72nd AJC Original Tunes Competition will be held Saturday 30th December in the Minerva Room, Ballarat Mechanics.
Prize money for the best Original Tune(s) in 2017 is sponsored by APRA – AMCOS.
Composers should submit their entries at the Registration Desk in the Mining Exchange by 12 noon Friday 29th December.
Terms and conditions of the competition are available for the AJC website.
Welcome Night and New Year’s Eve Party
The venues for the Welcome night and New Year’s Eve Party have not been finalised. The ETFis discussingthe possibility of having both of these events in the Mining Exchange.
There will not be a Dinner held during the NYE party this year.
More details to follow.
Accommodation
There isa largerange of various priced accommodation available in Ballarat. For more information, go to web, or phone Ballarat Visitor Information Centre 1800 44 66 33.
Eateries & Christmas Day Options
There area number of eateries within walking distance of the Convention site, but many are not open Christmas Day. However these major sponsors of the Convention will be open:
Miners Tavern Christmas Day from 3pm. Enquiries phone5332 1811 Music and light meals available.
The George Hotelisalso open on Christmas day. For early birds who are looking for a Christmas Day lunch, enquiries can be made to the George Hotel on (03) 5333 4866 for bookings.
The George Hotel and Miners Tavern management have provided continuing and substantial sponsorship since the 70th AJC in 2015.
With great meals and very friendly staff in both venues, and being situated in Lydiard St,makes them the ‘go to’ places to meet up with your mates for that reviving coffee or something stronger.
For more information on Ballarat eateries visit: Ballarat Restaurants - Visit Ballarat
or phone Ballarat Visitor Information Centre1800 44 66 33.
One thing is for sure you're not going to go hungry or thirsty while in theBallaratregion.
Performance Program sites:
There will be eight fully set up performance sites within walking distance from each other this year.
As a steady flow of band registrations have been arriving, all performance sites will once again throb to the sounds of fabulous Jazz at this 72nd Australian Jazz Convention.
A.G.M – 30th December – 1.30pm - Mechanics Institute – Minerva Room
Musicians Only Event – 28th December - 6pm - 7.30pm – Miners Tavern
More details to follow
Contact Phone Numbers
Reg Packer0427 329 255
Rod Andrew 0408 103 141
Ken Hill0419 609 256
Gerard Ballinger0419 582 361
See you there.