3 minute read
34th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 21-24
By Melanie Maxwell
Each October, 26 miles off the California coastline, the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival offers two, four-day weekends of smooth jazz. Plus, there is a Saturday night after-party on the beach with a DJ spinning dance tunes. The festivities start on Thursday at sunset with “Unplugged Under the Stars” at Descanso Beach. Patrons can sink into the sand on chaise lounges and chairs, or cozy up in private cabanas while two sets of artists perform on an intimate stage next to the splashing tide. The wildlife seem to enjoy the music, too, as deer often traipse through the audience against the backdrop of the illuminated Catalina Casino building, the main concert venue, which is just a short walk along the Pacific Ocean shoreline. Conveniently, everything is within walking distance in Avalon. There are no rental cars in the island’s 1-square-mile city, but transportation is not a problem. Taxis, bikes and golf carts, and “The Garibaldi,” the city’s public transit bus, can get visitors just about anywhere. The only “rush-hour” are the lines to the best restaurants, typically between festival sessions, or when a stream of festivalgoers stroll along the bay on Casino Way to the Catalina Casino—which is not a gaming facility, but means “gathering place” in Italian. In the Ballroom, high atop the iconic Catalina Casino, under 50-foot ceilings with five Tiffanyinspired chandeliers, a roster of up-and-coming artists, festival favorites and genre stars perform Friday through Sunday. The circular Ballroom is adorned in a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, gold and silver leaf accents and art deco reliefs. French doors connect the Ballroom to the encircling veranda. The veranda offers sweeping, 360-degree views of Avalon Bay from the 11-story-high building. Food, wine and cocktails are available for purchase at the vintage full-service bar, which was restored to its original 1929 condition. The mezzanine level, directly below, has restrooms and the JazzTrax store for purchasing CDs and festival merchandise, along with an artist-signing section. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, artist meet-and-greets and CD-signings have not been confirmed as of press time. This year, to help protect all patrons from the spread of COVID-19, festival producer Art Good is complying with local health and safety standards and mandates. All staff and attendees are required to be fully vaccinated and to present verifiable proof of vaccination. Good has also removed two rows of seating in the middle and back Ballroom to ensure that chairs won’t be touching. For many who have been locked up for months due to the pandemic, these health and safety protocols have given them a green light to get out and enjoy the smooth jazz life we all love. And, what better place to do so than in an enchanting island setting like the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in the fall?
For tips on where to dine, shop, get spa treatments and explore art and local history, check out our Catalina Island Visitors Guide, beginning on page 13.
When
Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 21-24
Where
Friday-Sunday performances are held in the Catalina Casino Ballroom, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, California. Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars” concerts and the Saturday evening after-parties happen at Descanso Beach.
Getting there
Catalina Express offers 30 daily departures from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, California. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, special afterperformance boat departures are available from Avalon back to Long Beach. www.CatalinaExpress.com • 800-995-4386
Staying there
Hotel Catalina and Catalina Courtyard Suites are both located steps from the bay, AAA-approved, and offer special “JazzTrax” packages. Reserve three nights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and get Thursday or Monday night free (based on availability). Guests also receive a 10 percent discount at Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret and Original Jack’s Country Kitchen. www.hotelcatalina.com • 800-540-0184 https://catalinacourtyardsuites.com/ • 855-891-3400
Tickets and Information
www.jazztrax.com, 866-872-9849
continued on page 12
View of Avalon Bay from Casino Ballroom veranda
Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach during the 2017 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
