Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival THIS WEEKEND

Rebecca Varidel
7th Mar 2018

Time to head out of the city? 120 kilometres south in fact to Kiama. It’s known for south coast surf, whale watching, and the Kiama Blowhole and Little Blowhole, two cliff-side caverns where seawater shoots into the air. This weekend is also the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival

With 90 gigs, 40 venues AND IT IS ALL FREE.

“Let’s play!” – it’s the catchcry of live musicians AND anyone holding this program who’s looking forward to exploring free JAZZ & BLUES on the stages, streets, cafés and clubs across the Kiama area. For one jam-packed weekend every year, this festival is a celebration of two genres that refuse to sit still, set against one of the country’s most picturesque backdrops. As a small taster here's just some of the 90 highlights... Our pick of Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival five:

One of the South Coast’s premium waterfront cafés, Penny Whistlers, will be bringing a touch of America’s south to Kiama this Jazz & Blues Festival with three days of live music and New Orleans style food specials. A range of New Orleans-inspired dishes will be available throughout the weekend including Oysters Rockefeller, Crayfish and Chorizo Jambalaya, Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken Burger and Louisiana Style Beignets with house made banana foster cream. Penny Whistlers is Kiama’s favourite harbour-view café with a relaxed atmosphere, artisan coffee and amazing gourmet food. The venue is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner, drinks and live music from Thursday to Sunday.

On Friday March 9th and Saturday 10th from 6.30 - 8.30pm, Penny Whistlers will play host to artists Simon Kinny-Lewis and Shane Pacey respectively, and on Sunday from 3 - 6pm the Louise Bruce Duo will take to the stage. Entry is free and bookings are strongly recommended.

All weekend, direct from the Mississippi Delta USA, the multi-awardwinning, world-acclaimed legend Deak Harp combines amplified guitar and harmonica to create his signature hill country blues… "Authentic driving, pumping steam train blues…" Deak will be in Kiama as part of his debut Australian tour!

Day and night Saturday, Mimosa Duo perform a versatile repertoire from Gypsy Jazz through to classical. Their exquisite style and technique cause some to say that Django and Stephane have been reborn!

Daytime Saturday and Sunday, Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides are a unique soulful and sassy, blues & roots band. Bonnie at the helm on acoustic, finger-picking, slide-guitar & her gritty passionate voice, delivers red-hot sexy sounds.

On Sunday, Andy Firth and Kevin Hunt, two internationally acclaimed Australians, present a celebration of jazz music from all eras. Andy, a world-class clarinetist, has performed his own concert at Carnegie Hall and Kevin is simply one of the most in demand and respected pianists in Australia.

Kiama Jazz & Blues is one of the largest festivals of its kind featuring over 50 Australian and international acts for three days across the stages, streets, cafes and clubs of Kiama.

The stage is set – there’s really only one thing left to say...

www.pennywhistlers.com.au
www.kiamajazzandblues.com.au

Let's play!

Image courtesy of www.visitnsw.com