City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival

The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival takes place each year over the May Bank Holiday weekend and in 2013 organisers Derry City Council promise a five-day programme, jam packed with festival favourites along with some of the biggest stars and newest names on the jazz scene, in what will be the biggest festival to date to celebrate the city’s hosting of its inaugural UK City of Culture status.

Headliners include Soul Rebels (New Orleans), who have been described by Rolling Stones Magazine as ‘Utterly uninhibited hip-hop hybrid, not to be missed’; UK Jazz Musician of the year – the Neil Cowley Trio, who is also the UK City of Culture’s musician in residence; Pink Martini (Portland, Oregon) who have performed all over the world and at such salubrious as the Governor’s Ball at the 80^th Annual Academy Awards. Also performing over the weekend are The Overtones, the all male vocal group who bring their blend of classic 50’s harmonies with a modern pop twist to the Millennium Forum; and The Puppini Sisters who have performed alongside Michael Bublé and will be bringing their intoxicating mix of music and style to the Grand Vintage Ball.

Grand Vintage Fun Day, May 4,10am – 4pm, Ebrington Square

Enjoy a fun-filled day for all the family, celebrating times gone-by from vintage clothes to cars. Brush up on your sewing skills in the ‘Make a Fascinator’ and ‘Make a Petticoat’ classes which will take place in Ebrington Square from 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.00pm.

If classic motors are your thing then come along and enjoy the splendour of the North Coast Vintage Car Club and Coleraine & District Historical Vehicle Club from 12pm-1.30pm. Old style entertainment and refreshments will be available throughout the day with Vintage Tea Rooms open between 10am-4pm and some old school kiddie rides.

Brush up on your sewing and craft skills in the ‘Make a Petticoat’ and ‘Make a Fascinator’classes on Ebrington Square. The classes will run concurrently from 10am-12pm and again from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Each class costs £15 and include the cost of all materials.

To book a space at the workshops, please contact Claire McDermott on (028) 7131 0567 or claire.mcdermott@cityofculture2013.com

Petticoat Class
Get a great vintage look by wearing a petticoat under your New Look or Rockabilly skirt. In this quick workshop, you will make and take home your own simple but effective undergarment. This is not a beginner’s class and sewing machine experience is required. Materials and equipment provided.

Fascinator Class
Get your fashion fix with a fascinator making class. Each member will take home their own bespoke and beautiful Hatastic! creation. All materials and equipment provided – no craft experience required. If you have buttons or brooches or fabulous fabric you would like to revive, bring with and use.

The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is arranged for you by Derry City Council in association with the UK City of Culture 2013 team, with funding from Diageo and support from NITB and Airporter.

See the programme below for further details on ticketed events;