The hills are alive with the sound of music in Thredbo in summer. The alpine village beckons with blues-soaked guitar, global groove and jazz to get those old ski joints jumping.
If non-stop music is your idea of a good apres-ski season, book a Snowy Mountains lodge, where fellow guests could include acclaimed jazz, blues and global music performers. You'll experience award-winning music without the restrictions and formalities of city entertainment. Thredbo is a regular gig for some of the world's top musos, who love the laid-back style of Australia's alpine way.
The setting is intimate, relaxed and friendly. Everything is contained in this cosy village, huddled among towering snow gums in the shadow of Mt Kosciuszko. Park the car on arrival and spend the weekend strolling from cafe to restaurant to bar, sipping coffee, drinking wine and soaking up as much music as you can absorb.
Kicking off the major musical program every January is the Legends of Blues Festival. The line-up these days includes more than 100 performers from around Australia and a few top acts from overseas.
The Thredbo Global Music Festival, in March, features Irish, African, indigenous Australian, New Zealand, Latin and European grooves. Festival favourites include Tibet's Tenzing Tsewang, award-winning Getano Bann from the Torres Straits and the dynamic Drummers of the World.
Musical styles range from the innovative percussion of Greg Sheehan to the Singh Brother's evocative blend of classical Indian music and 10th century Qawwali vocal music.
The global music event includes the staging of the annual Australian World Music Awards, which decide the best male and female performers, albums, instrumentalists and the most outstanding contribution to world music.
Jazz runs for more than 150 hours in the glorious month of May, a spectacular time to visit the mountain country. As carpets of flowers welcome visitors, the Legends of Jazz Festival offers everything from beloved standards to hard-hitting funk. The first of the festivals to put Thredbo on the musical map, this event is now an institution, attracting more than 2,000 jazz fans and performers like Don Burrows, James Morrison and Warren Daly. Not bad for a festival that started life as a party!
Long-time musical director John Speight is consistently lauded for the quality and variety of talent he attracts. But it is always the atmosphere of Thredbo's musical festivals that has reviewers raving.
Festival regulars - both performers and appreciative audiences - love the idyllic setting of a town that enjoys a bit of misbehaving. 'Lights out' in the village doesn't occur until 2 am, when the Piano Bar finally closes its doors. The seriously energetic then scale the rooftop of Australia - nearby Mt Kosciuszko. You can take a guided walk under a canopy of southern stars to see the sun rise then toast your success in climbing this famous summit with a glass of champagne. The chairlift even operates early on New Year's morning in case you fancy drinking to the dawn from the top of Australia.
Music is just part of a packed summer events program that begins with the opening of the walking season in early November and lasts until the final day of the jazz festival in May. To keep life simple, festival tickets are wristbands that indicate whether you hold a weekend, full-day, half-day or event-only pass. This allows you to wander freely from gig to gig, without worrying about delving into pockets or handbags for cash.
Accommodation ranges from B, to hostels, hotels and lodges. Many dedicated festival-goers reserve a year ahead so book early. Don't be singing the blues because you missed out on some magical musical moments.
For more information www.thredboblues.com
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The Taste of The World festival in March is a great event for the whole family. The kids will be exposed to a whole new world of music as the village comes alive with music from around the globe.
Katie, Chatswood.
4WD
