Warwick’s 2016 Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival program is bursting with new events.
And it wouldn’t be a jazz festival without more jazz! So this year, Jazz Jam, will bring after-work drinks to life at the Criterion Hotel with an unpredictable line-up of musicians, styles and sounds. Jazz Jam will also kick-start your weekend at The Bluebird Kitchen on a Saturday afternoon. These gigs will be spontaneous and will feature local and visiting artists such as Aperitif Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Music Institute Brisbane.
The Jazz Jam concept is an idea developed by this year’s volunteer jazz coordinator Judy Abernathy who is hopeful that it will be of the lasting memories of Jumpers and Jazz 2016.
“Mostly it’s about meeting up with friends, work colleagues or family early evening at 5.30 pm in the front Bar of the Criterion Hotel where the local jazz musicians host Warwick’s jazz guests to some unpredictable playing fun,” says Judy, “When you consider that there will be 18 jazz/swing musicians from the Queensland Conservatorium of music hanging out in Warwick on the first few days of the festival we are likely to be in for some fabulous jazz in the afternoon moments.”
The Killarney Art Gallery has weaved a wonderful line-up of workshops, exhibitions and social gatherings that will give Festival attendees the opportunity to explore more of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region during July. Experiences include a fibre on canvas workshop where paper and found objects are applied over canvas, a felt flowers workshop which will focus on using different techniques, decorating hats, wristbands or garland, the Layer upon Layer exhibition of wearable art and functional items by Kirby Sue Lyons and an opportunity to share wine, cheese, laughter and conversation with Kirby Sue Lyons during a Meet the Artist afternoon.
The mystery and magic of the yarnbombing movement will be uncovered with an illustrated lecture presented by Warwick Art Gallery Director, Karina Devine and the Festival’s Yarnbombing Coordinator, Loretta Grayson. The creative duo will share how Warwick’s quirky winter festival sits within this global phenomenon, with participants having an opportunity to view the Warwick Art Gallery’s rarely revealed tree jumper collection.
Gallery Director Karina Devine explains that yarnbombing is still a new concept to many festival visitors who love hearing the story of how Jumpers and Jazz in July began.
“Loretta and I are working together on a fabulous presentation that will include the history of yarn bombing as an international art movement and how Jumpers and Jazz in July sits as a part of that story,” says Karina, “We will also give people an opportunity to revisit some of the favourite tree jumpers from previous festivals that have been collected by the Gallery for ten years.”
Food and coffee lovers will not be disappointed, as Michael Oo of Toowoomba’s Two Moo’s Specialty Coffee takes over the coffee machine of The Bluebird Kitchen for a day to share his secrets of the perfect brew. And the Brysons Place Party on Palmerin long lunch will have food-lovers dining on Palmerin Street in the midst of the Festival magic.