100 events at festival of fun

Jumpers and Jazz' Nancy De Prada (president), Gail Bulmer (treasurer), Loretta Grayson (gallery yarnbombers), Karen gilchrest (logistics), Carol Sternberg (secretary), Karina Devine (gallery director), Mayor Vic Pennisi, Bette Bonney (media) and Pam Burley (events). Picture: JESS BAKER

By Jess Baker

Queensland’s quirkiest festival has officially launched its 2021 program.

Jampacked with more than 100 events over 10 days, Jumpers and Jazz in July is set to return to Warwick’s Palmerin Street bigger and better than ever.

The official program was launched at the Churches of Christ Auditorium in Warwick on Wednesday 16 June, where partners and supporters of the festival enjoyed live performances by the dynamic ‘Deeny’ of Joie de Vivre Cafe and Black Velvet Jazz Quartet.

Guests were also treated to wine, nibbles, hot hor d’oeurves, conversation with fellow supporters and an introduction to the festival by event organisers.

Event coordinator Pam Burley said the new program included the favourites, the newbies and everything in between.

“The program is an absolute testament to the fact that Jumpers and Jazz is owned by community,” she said.

“It belongs to the community. You are Jumpers and Jazz because you contribute to it, whether you’re an event host, you’re a sponsor, you’re a volunteer or someone who absolutely just loves talking about Jumpers and Jazz and bringing people in.”

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi reflected on the hard work of the festival’s volunteers, and said they “should be loud and proud” of their efforts.

“In the Southern Downs, we’ve got a great patchwork of people,” Cr Pennisi said.

“Those patches have been sewn together over many, many years, with many, many threads, by many, many different people and … this is what makes us special.”

Everyday events will include an exhibition of 89 ‘yarn bombed trees’ along Palmerin and Fitzroy streets, a self-guided tour of the Abbey Boutique Hotel at Locke Street, and a pop-up Warwick Spinners and Weavers craft shop with handmade garments and homewares and workshops.

Attendees are sure to get their fix of jazz during the festival, with performances at the Coffee Club at Albion Street, Scots PGC Tennis Courts, the Condamine Sports Club, St Mark’s Parish Hall, Joie De Vivre, and in front of Town Hall – to name but a few locations.

Other highlights will include the Jumpin’ Jazz Laneway Party, artisans’ markets at the Warwick Art Gallery, the Killarney Bonfire Night, a grand automobile display, Celebration of Local Flavours, a suitcase rummage, Twilight Jazz n’ Blues in the Park, and Potters Winter Craft Market.

See the full program at www.jumpersandjazz.com.au/program.