Manly Jazz: Festival’s two years of Covid blues set to end on a high note
Australia’s longest running jazz festival is back after a two-year, Covid-induced hiatus, giving the local tourism and hospitality scene a welcome financial shot in the arm.
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On a high note for local tourism and hospitality businesses, Australia’s longest running jazz festival is back in Manly after a heartbreaking two years of Covid blues.
Organisers of the three-day event — starting on Friday afternoon — hope to attract up to 100,000 visitors to the seaside suburb over this weekend.
Bars, pubs and eateries are counting on the annual event, now in its 45th year, to help them kickstart a busy tourist season after battling through pandemic restrictions and lengthy lockdowns.
The Manly Business Chamber has described the jazz festival as a “significant boost” to the area’s economy at this time of year.
But there was a bit of a scare that the event could be significantly affected when a section of a large stormwater pipe under The Corso, just opposite Hotel Steyne, collapsed and created a deep sinkhole some three weeks’ back.
Council says the pipe has been repaired, the site has been covered - and no works will be carried out during the festival.
Pre-Covid, the Northern Beaches Council-organised festival was held over the October public holiday long weekend, but organisers have pared the event back slightly for 2022.
There will be four public stages and close to a dozen indoor venues playing host to more than 70 artists.
As well as pubs, clubs and restaurants, acts will play at spots including Manly Library, St Mathew’s Church and the Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
Mayor Michael Regan said he could not be happier that the festival was back on the streets, stages and venues dotted around Manly.
“This is a great time to support local businesses who are hosting jazz artists inside the venues,” Mr Regan said.
“When the music stops on the Corso, there’s every reason to continue the fun while eating and drinking at our local bars, clubs, restaurants and other venues.”
There will also be ‘activations’ to visit including the Jazz Garden; the giant MANLY letters on the beach; the chalk art piano; the colouring-in corner or punters can have a go at tickling the ivories on the festival’s popular ‘Piano for the People’.
Mr Regan said Manly would “come alive” this weekend with “the big brassy sounds of Manly Jazz”.
“Renowned for its beautiful location, its stellar line-up of musicians, and its laid-back beach vibes, Manly Jazz will continue to draw crowds from near and far,” he said.
So swing by the Corso, pop into one of the many local venues, and enjoy some of the very best jazz music Australia has to offer.
“In the words of Louis Armstrong, to jazz, or not to jazz, there is no question!”
The Weather Bureau is forecasting a 90 per cent chance of rain on Friday, but only up to 5mm. There is a chance of a bit of rain on Saturday, but an encouraging “mostly sunny” outlook for Sunday.
For more information on artists’s and venues click here.
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