Jazz in the Domain

Jazz in The Domain is the first of three open-air concerts, that take place during the month of January. Jazz in The Domain is part of Sydney Festival. The event is held in The Domain, Sydney, and is traditionally held on the second Saturday evening of January. It attracts crowds of over 100 000 people every year, and has become one of the most popular events on the Sydney summer calendar. It is followed by Symphony in The Domain and Opera in The Domain, which are usually held on the third and fourth Saturday nights in January respectively. The concerts have begun attracting large numbers of both interstate and overseas visitors, as they fall between two of Sydney's most celebrated and iconic events - The New Years Eve fireworks display on Sydney Harbour on December 31, and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in the last week of February.

The main performances usually commence after dark, although musical entertainment is now provided for those people who arrive at the event early, to gain premier vantage seating closer to the stage. Loudspeakers and video screens amplify the proceedings on stage to those further out, although it is not necessary to view the stage, as the focus for many is more the music and the atmosphere of the event.

Channel Nine is a principal sponsor of Jazz in The Domain, and in recent years, has broadcast its 6pm nightly news bulletin on big screens throughout The Domain on the night. The bulletin includes a live cross to the proceedings which has become an integral part of the nights entertainment, as well as a huge crowd pleaser for the large numbers of families in attendance.

The duration of the event is usually two and a half hours, and is free of charge. It is traditionally opened by the Lord Mayor of Sydney. In 2007, crowds were also welcomed by current NSW State Premier, Morris Iemma, a testament to the increasing popularity of the event.

Concerts by year

*The 2008 concert had the subtitle "El Barrio" (after New York's Spanish Harlem district) and featured the "Spanish Harlem Orchestra".
*The 2007 concert had the subtitle "Noite Brasil" and featured Oscar Castro-Neves, Airto Moreira, Abraham Laboriel and Alex Acuna.

External links

* [http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au The official Sydney Festival website]
* [http://www.sydneyfestivalblog.com The Sydney Festival Blog Site]
* [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/index/0,22045,5010940,00.html Sydney Festival - Feature from Daily Telegraph]