A SPECTACULAR tent city is beginning to take shape on the outskirts of Mount Gambier in preparation for the nation’s largest youth jazz music festival.
Attracting more than 6000 people from across the country, Generations in Jazz is well known for the gigantic big top which hosts the main concerts over the four day event.
Pavilion owner Tony Gasser was at work yesterday erecting the mammoth structure known as Australia’s largest tent for a seated audience.
“We are very proud of it and very proud of the whole festival,” he said.
“We travel Australia and do so many big concerts but GiJ is definitely my favourite because you are seeing so many young kids that are so professional and talented.
“I really look forward to doing this every year, it is really special and lovely to see the whole city get behind it.”
A band of local volunteers and around 15 staff from Mr Gasser’s company Unique Attractions, has spent the last three days erecting the 90 metre by 45 metre structure despite temperamental weather conditions early on in the week.
“This is the seventh year GiJ has used the big tents, the first time we came here it was a four main pole tent, then it went to six, eight and now 10,” he said.
“There are many pieces to this puzzle.
“To me it is like I am the captain of the ship, you have to look at everything and make sure it can withstand all weather conditions.
“We are almost finished with just the last touches to go today but we will be back for the event in a couple of weeks.”
Labelled the James Morrison Pavilion especially for the event, the big top will serve as the breathtaking centrepiece of the GiJ precinct.
Festival site manager Greg Muller said the tent will be one of 13 different onsite venues designed to accommodate more than 350 stage bands and vocal ensembles over the course of the weekend.
“We have added two new marquee sites this year for the record 5100 students from 130 Australian schools who will perform across the festival precinct as part of the City of Mount Gambier National Stage Band Awards, ANZ Vocal Ensemble Awards and the University of South Australia Small Jazz Combo Awards,” he said.
“We’re also turning the Hi-pine building in the eastern paddock into a third student catering location in order to cope with increased student numbers and the additional Saturday night concerts.”
A sell-out 6.30pm Saturday concert for school participants will feature global heavyweights The Cat Empire along with international guest acts.
Limited tickets are still available for a second 9pm concert by The Cat Empire which is open to the general public, while seats are also available for the Scholarship Adjudication No 2 which begins at 9pm inside The Barn Palais building.
In addition to individual concert tickets, a new “sounds of jazz festival pass” will allow access to Friday night, Saturday all day, the 9pm Saturday The Cat Empire concert and the Sunday finale concert.
