Date: September 11-13, 2009
Website: www.pentasticjazz.com
Location: Various hip locations around Penticton
Cost: $90.00 for a three-day pass or one-day tickets ranging from $35.00-$55.00
Tickets: Available through www.ticketweb.ca
Every September, a growing number of people around Penticton are afflicted with a rare condition that manifests itself through such unusual symptoms as repetitive toe-tapping, head nods and the overwhelming urge to spontaneously shout out “oh, baby” in public places.
When this occurs, a nutritional imbalance caused by an over-consumption of fresh-from-the-farm, seasonal delicacies like peaches or pears may be suspected. Or, perhaps, it is a propensity for fine Okanagan wines, ales and spirits that is to blame. Could it simply be the result of too many hours spent in the sun on one of Penticton’s many sandy beaches?
While these may all be contributing factors to the phenomenon listed above, the main diagnosis is usually a case of hot jazz fever and, yes, it is contagious.
For three days every fall, Penticton is a happening hub for hep cats whose dogs are barking because they spent the night cutting a rug. Say what? Translation: Hip jazz aficionados with sore feet from a night of dancing. Fear not, you don’t need to talk the talk to enjoy the Pentastic Jazz Festival.
Hitting just the right note with audiences, the Pentastic Jazz Festival offers live music lovers a vibrant line-up of world-class jazz performed at various, intimate venues around the city, like the beautifully-restored S.S. Sicamous sternwheeler. Groove to top North American bands playing everything from acoustic swing and big band to traditional Cajon and zydeco.
Stay up late on Friday and Saturday for the evening performances, catch an afternoon show or get up early for the Sunday Gospel service at the Convention Centre. The line-up at the 2009 Pentastic Jazz Festival includes: Lance Buller (Tacoma, WA), Cornet Chop Suey, (St.Louis, MO), Gator Beat (Sonoma, CA) and Tom Hook (New Orleans, LA).
In its thirteenth year, the festival is touted as "the best jazz party in the Northwest" and intends to stay that way for many years to come. Join us in Penticton this September and catch the hot jazz fever.
For more information about the Pentastic Jazz Festival and a complete list of performers, please visit the official festival website at: www.pentasticjazz.com.