Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival has released the full program for its 2021 Festival, which just a few months ago wasn't going to happen.

President Becky Guggisberg has confirmed that the weekend of 5-7 March will be jam packed, with 58 performances and 31 acts across 22 venues.

“The festival headliner is Ray Beadle, a famous blues guitarist from Sydney,” says Becky.

“He will be playing with friends Jonathan Zwartz on double bass and Andrew Dickeson on drums at The Pavilion on Sunday afternoon

“He will also be doing an intimate solo performance at a yet to be revealed location.”

Other great musicians on the festival lineup include Genevieve Chadwick, Tall Shaun and The Resolution Blues, Red Rebels and The Sunbears.

Local musicians will also be well represented, with Frank Sultana, Dos Enos and The Water Runners amongst those in the program. 

Performances will be on from Friday afternoon until Sunday night in a variety of venues, including free music in Hindmarsh Park.

“We are taking over the gorgeous Gerringong Town Hall on the Friday and Saturday night,” says Becky.

“On Friday night it will be International Women’s Day and we will have Genevieve Chadwick and her band headlining there.”

The relaxed, all free, model of past festivals has been affected by the COVID restrictions and requirements.

“Some performances will be ticketed at very reasonable prices, otherwise booking a table at the other venues is required and encouraged,” says Becky.

“All of the money from the ticketed concerts is going to the artists.

“Don’t muck around about buying a ticket, as numbers are limited and you’ll be paying so much less than you would to see them in Sydney.”

Get your tickets here.

The ticketed venues include the Gerringong Town Hall, The Pavilion, and the soon to be festival themed Sound Lab (aka the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre).

The private venues hosting Festival events are Diggies, El Corazon, JJ’s Indian Restaurant, Kiama Bowling Club, Kiama Downs Golf Club, Kiama Shores, the Art Bar, Little Earth Cafe, Minnamurra Cafe, Nirand Thai, Parfait Patisserie, Penny Whistlers, Silica, The Brooding Italian, The Hill Bar and The Hungry Monkey.

“Book in quick for a table as space is more limited at these events than usual,” says Becky.

“Enjoy the Festival over a great meal with a few drinks, to help bring these musicians to town.”

Over the weekend there will also be two art exhibitions as well as pop-up food trucks and bars, a festival merchandise store and even a vinyl store for festival goers to enjoy.

And if you can’t make the Festival there will also be a season of live music in the weeks following the big weekend. 

The full festival schedule and further details are available at www.kiamajazzandbluesfestival.com.au