How to Attend JazzTrax on Catalina Island
JazzTrax on Catalina Island brings together some of the best international jazz performers in the world for three consecutive weekends of great performances. The JazzTrax Jazz Festival has been an annual Fall island tradition since 1986. Beginning the first weekend in October, jazz lovers can enjoy the sounds of seasoned musicians playing their signature pieces, as well as some of the newest and best talent just starting to make their mark in the world of smooth jazz.
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Instructions
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Book tickets for the concert venues online. The interactive JazzTrax site allows you to see the table and seating plans so you can pick the seats you want for the Friday and Saturday evening concerts in the world famous Catalina Casino Ballroom. Reserve your ride over to Catalina and back home after the weekend on the Catalina Express, which runs extended arrival and departure schedules during the three weekends of the festival. See the Resource section below for more information on JazzTrax reservations, transportation and hotel accommodations.
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Beat the weekend crowd by arriving on Thursday during the festival. Head for the backside of the island to the Wrigley Ranch for the "Unplugged at Wrigley Ranch" evening featuring an outdoor barbecue and a jazz concert under the stars. On the way to the ranch, you'll make a stop for hors deuvres at the famous Airport in the Sky. The next day, enjoy the Wine Makers Dinner on Saturday afternoon at the Catalina Visitors Country Club on a knoll overlooking Avalon Harbor. Like the Wrigley Ranch, the Country Club was once the private playground of William Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate and former Chicago Cubs owner who bought and developed much of the island while he owned it.
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Enjoy more than 30 jazz performances on Friday and Saturday evenings during the festival in the Catalina Casino perched at the edge of the Pacific. Built in 1929, the Casino has been the scene of performances by all the great bands in the Big Band era, as well as movie premiers, awards ceremonies and gala New Year's celebrations. The acoustics of the Ballroom make it the perfect venue for the sounds of jazz. As a concert package buyer, you also get a look at the Casino's "Secret Rooms" the average tourist never gets to see.
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Tips & Warnings
Ticket packages go on sale in August. The events and hotel rooms often sell out early, so don't delay.
The evening festival events give visitors plenty of time during the day to enjoy the other attractions on the island, including shopping, boat trips, island tours and golf.
