International Jazz Day in Alicante
In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day, an annual event (held today in almost 200 countries) and recognised in order to celebrate the virtues of Jazz as a 'tool for education, as an effort towards peace, unity, dialogue and a basis to increase cooperation amongst people'.
With the support of UNESCO's General Director Irina Bokova, Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Herbie Hancock and in association with the Thelonious Monk Institute, its first concert took place in Paris on the 30th of Abril 2012.
Singer and teacher Liz Vallet, an American resident in our city, was the initiator of this celebration in Alicante. Since her passing, Pepe Bornay (Aula de Música y Técnicas de Arte) and Carla Vallet unite forces with artists and members of the community to celebrate 'the impact that this music has had since its creation: peace and dialogue across cultures, diversity and respect of human dignity, the eradication of discrimination, fostering equality of gender and the promotion of the expression of the individual'.
A new cycle begins with this edition of Alicante's Internacional Jazz Day expanding its activities from the theatre to the streets.
A stage full of music in the morning of May 1, Lindyhoopers’ dancing swing on the sidewalks, pianos in different open spaces with the spontaneous participation of passersby, a marching band roaming the streets as in the old New Orleans, performances in venues, book presentations or classes.
Some of the planned events are:
Sunday April 28 18:00 Villavieja 6 Concierto + D.J. Purple Rabbit Tuesday, April 30
18.30 Plaza Santa María – exhibition of collaborators and groups involved in the International Jazz day in Alicante
19.00 Concert in the Plaza de Ruperto Chapí, Dancers ‘Lindy Hoppers’ the Shag Sharks from the School ‘The Nest’ and Swing dance school workshop
20.30 Charity Concert in aid of AECC Teatro Principal, Alicante
22.00 Marching Band parade (Plaza San Cristobal, c/ Labradores, and c/ Mayor towards Plaza Santa María)
22.30 Plaza Santa María – Jam sessión
00.00 Midnight Sala Babel Jam session.