Our first neighbors are English. One of the thing they asked us after spending their first summer in Croatia was: What is happening with Croatians and the Jazz? This question regarded jazz madness invading Croatian coast every summer. This made me think…. how Croatians moved from Fisherman Parties including free mackerels, cheap wine and folk music to Jazz Festivals. I can take some jazz but not a lot… but I really like the change for my own reasons: good food and quality wines, all for free at after parties.
If you are into jazz yourself (or at least in a good food and wine that come along), here are few Jazz Festivals happening in 2012. along Croatian Coast:
- XII Liburnia Jazz Festival taking place for the 12th year in a row in Opatija. It is traditionally held on first weekend of July and it offers Street Jazz, Jazz Boat and Evening Concerts at the Open Air Theatre. Since May 2011, Liburnia Jazz Festival is member of Europe Jazz Network.
- Valamar Jazz Festival taking place for the 3rd year in a row in Porec. It is held in July and it offers concerts at Lapidarium Jazz Club, Euphrasian Basilica and on island St. Nikola. Jazz After Parties under the stars in Villa Polesini are not to be missed (invitations only).
- Dubrovnik International Wine & Jazz Festival; from 24/05 until 27/05 Festival will take place in the old city under the stars; Concerts start at 8.30 pm every evening and are preformed by Brubeck Brothers Quartet and the guests.
- Avantgarde Jazz Festival took place for the first time in 2011 in Rovinj. Jazz program was taking place from May until July on various locations. There is still no news on next year’s Avantgarde Jazz Festival, but as soon as there will be some Frank will keep you updated.
To get you in the mood, here is Valamar Jazz Festival 2011 official video. More Valamar videos on Youtube.