2010 Port Douglas Carnivale Street Parade will explode in a ball of hi-octane street entertainment designed to turn the evening into a true street party! With entertainment zones up and down Macrossan St there will be something to keep everyone entertained from 5 pm till midnight (stopping for the fireworks at 9 pm)!

Crazy Shirlee Sunflower will be looking for love in all the wrong places….. The Great Dave will astonish you with his great feats of physical trickery and balance….. The Spinn Sisters will teach people young and old how to spin a hula hoop like a champion….. Danny Simony‘s Magic Show will enchant the kids…. The Drum Up Big drummers will electrify the parade audience…. Gorgeous Strawberry Fundaes will paint your face… Grab a balloon sculpture from the bumbling Captain Smarty Pants… Kids will be entranced by Kyle Raftery’s Smiley Show… Love FIRE? The Flammable Fire Tribe will fan the flames for their fans all night long… Watch out for that wacky Mr. Stuggles – wait and see what tricks he pulls out of his suitcase – it could be one ball or five clubs and everything in between!.. and MR. ha Ha P will incite joy and hilarity to all that dare to watch…. Beware the Mixed Lollies Fashion Cop (you might get a ticket for that lairy Hawaiian shirt)… Hanzard – juggler extraordinaire – will entertain young and old with his old world showmanship, reminiscent of the vaudeville era…  Wait for the end of the evening for the rollicking Carnivale Tarmac Cabaret as all the acts come together for some late night tomfoolery.

If it’s MUSIC you’re after, we have plenty of that wonderful stuff too! Simon Asquith will play his own magical brand of rootsy acoustic guitar, while Savidas gets down and dirty with their rootsy / hip hop acoustic stuff which will have everyone dancing no doubt. Moondog Blues‘ will be playing their acoustic blues to get us all in the mood for the Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza the following Sunday! Mountain stars The HillBilly Goats will lead us in a wild, high energy bush Barn Dance out the front of Rattle N Hum and will be found roaming the streets late in the evening to get the hillbilly juices flowing in the late night streets.

ROCK N BLUES BLASTS TO BEX MARSHALL

Organisers of the Carnivale Rock N Blues Bonanza have just announced UK’s Bex Marshall will take to the stage at Rex Smeal Park on May 23rd at this inaugural event. Kim Hurley from Radio Port Douglas said having Bex Marshall on the bill was a huge bonus, and resulted from a late line up change when Jesse Dean Freeman was unable to attend the gig. “Bex is currently touring Australia and we are smiling broadly that she is onboard!” said Kim Hurley.
Bex has been to Port Douglas once before and is thrilled to be coming back.

“I just visited recently and I played live on Radio Port Douglas in fact,” she says. “I had such a fantastic time in Port that I’m really delighted to be playing Rock N Blues – I was blown away by the whole laid back vibe and the top people I met there – this gig will give me time to rock out a bit longer with the coolest cats in Queensland. I think real roots blues goes down well in Port Douglas; no gimmicks people like the real deal and I aim to give it to em in abundance!” she said.

Described as “an explosion of blue hot acoustic slide roots/rock, poker twisted with a whippin’ of Bluegrass” Bex is a versatile guitarist with a unique earthy melting pot of a voice. Her outstanding virtuoso guitar playing is a mixture of exposed blues and ragtime frails augmented by her stunning whiskey soaked vocals and diverse, but always poignent writing.

A Devonshire lass now residing in London, she is the product of two completely different family’s, one blue blooded landed gentry, the other Irish Romany’s she had a great live musical background growing up, at every family gathering her uncles would play for the family, she was given a 1973 Gibson Hummingbird when she was 11, classical guitar playing was her first passion, she got hooked on instrumentals and classical guitar standards which stretched her fingers and gave her a great basis for her own musical creations to develop, flamenco, ragtime, country chicken pickin, rock and on to blues, roots and slide/dobro which she plays on an Ozark 3515E Electro Acoustic Biscuit resonater, wood body with a lipstick pickup and a cutaway through a Fender Frontman 25R (with reverb).

She always had a passion for travelling, its in her blood and she trainer as croupier 18 and began her travels around the world which inspired her song writing, from dealing illegal poker games in Amsterdam to hitch hiking the coast of Australia alone on cattle trains, always with a guitar on her back. She is an adventuress, a writer, seasoned guitar player and passionate vocalist, her musical influences are varied and many although comparisons have ranged from JJ Cale to Hendrix and Derek Trucks, and her music has been described a….“Bonnie Raitt and Led Zep jamming in an everglade moonshine joint”.

She is a troubadour, telling her tales with humour and wit, honesty and slang, a musical inspiration, poetry to blues, an instrumental turbine of melody, people gawp at her fearless playing.

Bex Marshalls recent Australian release ‘Kitchen Table’ is a mix of roots, rock rags entwined with bluegrass frails and home down blues slide and has recieved stunning reviews to date and has special guest players Don Wayne and Dale Reno from Hayseed Dixie.

Her song writing is highly praised in her latest album reviews….“Touches of genius” “Staggering” ‘Intelligent and interesting’, ‘Timeless’

‘…sounds like a breakthrough album’– Rock n Reel (R2) UK

‘…Marshalls album is of such class and maturity, without an apparent weakness or filler’ – Blues Matters UK

‘…As a writer she’s mastered the art of making new material sound like its been found in long forgotten vaults –Net Rhythms UK

‘..She has harnessed the power of the blues without resorting to cliche or plagarism – – Spiral Earth UK

Live she is outstanding, her solo show has the wow factor as her guitar playing is a totally unique fingerstlye incorporating blues slide, rock licks and bluegrass.

‘..Marshalls competent axework has Mark Knopflers feathery touch’ – LA Weekly US

‘…the blues ‘Black Guitar’ culminates in a slide guitar clamor Derek Trucks would be pleased to call his own’ – Downbeat Magazine US

..a younger version of Bonnie Raitt. Seldom do we hear such blues inflected rawness in female guitar players and its so refreshing to hear it done with such authenticity and assurance’ – Folk and Roots Magazine UK

Then there’s her voice….Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Joan Armatrading, Beth Hart, Bonnie Raitt….

‘…..Bex Marshall’s voice draws up the ghosts of old blues women’s heartaches’, Outlaw Magazine US

‘…the absolute stand out on this album is Marshalls vocals’ – Root of Rock Magazine NZ

‘….She has all those essential vocal frailties that make the difference between soul and soulful’, Folk and Roots Magazine UK

‘..deserves wider recognition for her spit and saw dust vocals and fluid resonator guitar licks…Classic Rock Magazine UK

Wilma Reading

If Australian Australian entertainment history has an unknown fairytale it is the story of Wilma Reading.

As a young seventeen year old Wilma left her hometown of Cairns to appear on the Australian television show Bandstand. After recording for Festival Records in Sydney Wilma did the unthinkable for a young girl of her background and age, she embarked on an international career.

This is the point where most young girl’s dreams would end, but for Wilma Reading it was only the beginning. After a first engagement at theGoodwood Hotel in Singapore, Wilma then toured for Hilton Hotels International. She was discovered at the Tokyo Hilton by the American ABC Agency who contracted Wilma to appear at Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas. A string of other live U.S. appearances followed including a season at the legendary Copacabana Nightclub, New York.

It seemed only natural to Wilma that U.S. Television would be her next challenge. She went on to appear on a number of successful American television shows including the renowned Johnny Carson Show. Beckoned to England by MAM, the English theatrical agency who managed Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, Wilma made over thirty appearances on BBC Television including an entire season on the Morecambe and Wise Show. A live tour of venues throughout the United Kingdom lead to Wilma securing the leading role of ‘Julie’ in the West End production of Showboat, replacing Cleo Laine. Appearances at the London Palladium, the Talk of the Town and numerous recordings for PYE Records in London and NCR in Europe followed.

In what has become a ‘stella’ career Wilma Reading includes in her ‘high points’: appearing live with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, starring with Jim Brown in the U.S. film Pacific Inferno, a UNICEF television special with Danny Kaye, thirty-three one woman concerts in Russia, appearing on over seventy-five international television shows, a BBC concert withCharles Aznavour at the London Festival Hall, recording the soundtrack title song for the Julie Andrews-Omar Sharif film The Tamarind Seed and the reunification concert in Berlin where Wilma performed with the West Berlin Symphony (RIAS) on her left and the East Berlin Symphony on her right.

The astounding Wilma Reading is now back in Australia, living in Queensland, working with young people who like herself ‘have a dream’ but are maybe a little scared to take the leap.

Wilma is also promoting her new Australian recorded album ’Now You See Me’. Australia’s true indigenous ‘Lady of Song’ has some great stories to tell, countless ‘name dropping’ experiences to share and many dreams to inspire!

TAKE FIVE – Their Music

North Queensland’s most versatile band, playing rock, jazz, country, easy listening, old time, etc.Music from great artists as Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra,The Beatles, Billy Joel, Ella Fitzgerald, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, to name a few……

TAKE FIVE is one of the very few bands capable of playing hours of your instrumental favourites for quiet background music and then turn up the beat to rock’n’roll

TAKE FIVE – Their References:

Some functions to our credit include backing artists: Kim Durant, Chelsea Brown, Warren Mitchell…..Support entertainment for Mental as Anything, Seekers. Deltones. Drifters, James Morrison. Performed at all Leading Venues; Orpheus Island Resort -(one of Qld’s most exclusive resorts) Cairns International Hotel, Hilton Hotel – Cairns. Radisson Hotel – Cairns, Cairns Colonial Club Resort – Cairns. Sheraton Mirage Resort- Port Douglas, Casa De Meze –Cairns, Tuna Towers – Cairns, Far North Qld Amateur Turf Club – Cairns biggest annual social event. (Preferred band for over 15 years) – Cairns RSL-3 Year Resident Band. Comalco Co. Ltd. and many clubs, Corporations & individuals throughout North Qld…..

Phone: Bernard Lee Long (07) 4051 3370 or Mobile 0419 706 575

P O Box 4772 CAIRNS 4870 Email: bleelong@bigpond.com

Friday 28

Carnivale Jazz Cabaret @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Los Caracoles $5

Evening Session (7 – 12): Take Five featuring Wilma Reading

$20 door / $15 online presale

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Jazz Cabaret
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Biography LOS CARACOLES

Songs of Love & Nature

The lyrics of the song list of Los Caracoles cover a wide range – love, nature, the environment and even social issues. Los Caracoles is a Latin folk/dance/world music band who sing in English, Spanish and sometimes Italian. Some of the songs are slow and wistful, some are fast and “pumpy” and people like to dance to them. Los Caracoles means “The snails”. The name was inspired by the Latin American idea of the snail which travels slowly (but surely) through the continent, spreading peace and hope.

Los Caracoles are:
Segundo Nitor who writes most the songs, derives his inspiration from his Chilean background as well as his love for the North Queensland environment. He plays guitar and is a vocalist.
Angela Zammataro writes some of the songs and does the English translations. She derives her inspiration from her parents’ love of singing and Italian music. She likes to write about people. She is a vocalist and plays some percussion.
Maru Nitor-Zammataro, the youngest member (12), has been playing percussion from a very tender age and plays the congas and drum kit.
Bennett Walker plays electric guitar and bass as well as mandolin and tres (a Cuban guitar). His instruments and his very long and vast experience (since childhood) add a very interesting dimension to the Latin music. Bennett is a traditional Kuku Yalanji owner and elder.
Larry McGrath is a virtuoso lead guitarist who also adds a delightful dimension to the music. He also plays bass. Larry has produced his own solo CDs. He was raised on Thursday Island.

Segundo Nitor and Angela Zammataro formed Los Caracoles after meeting in a Chilean choir in Melbourne in 1994. They had both had vast experience as singers but Segundo was primarily a poet. In 1995, his poetry began turning into music. Los Caracoles have produced 2 CDs and are currently working on their third. The CDs are called Maybe Manyana (Maybe Tomorrow) and Sueños de paz (Peace Dreaming).

Los Caracoles performed at the Yungaburra Folk Festival, did tours of the area with Lenko, a Greek, Italian, Spanish folk group from Melbourne, supported Inka Marka, an Andian group from Melbourne, performed at the Kuranda Amphitheatre for ‘Fun in the Shade’, at the Mareeba Multicultural Festival, at a variety of local community events, eg, art exhibitions, Mossman Show, Port Unplugged since its inception, various Peace Week concerts (Cairns City Council), local ABC radio presentations, and some private events. They also played at the City Council Cultural Salon in Segundo’s home town in Chile. Segundo played percussion with Los Rumberos and Chango for a number of years. Their son Maru has been playing congas with Los Caracoles, since the age of 7 and has also played with other adult groups, Los Rumberos, Inka Marka and San Lazaro from Melbourne. Segundo and Angela also played at Carnivale with their band called ONDA LATINA.
For further information please contact:
Segundo Nitor 40981515
Angela Zammataro 40422450 (work) or 0437 479 452
Or angela.zammataro@deta.qld.gov.au
Or angelazamm@live.com.au

Los Caracoles are playing at the Carnivale Club on the Hollywood Opening Gala Party on Thursday May 20th and also at the Jazz Cabaret on Friday 28th.

Thursday 20

Carnivale Opening: Hollywood Gala Event

Port Douglas Catering presents Hollywood Gala Opening Event. Great food, beverages and fantastic entertainment from the 1RAR Big Band, Los Caracoles, comedians Shirlee Sunflower and Dave the Great and shows from the Spinn Sisters Hoopstars at Port’s best location on the Port Douglas Sugar Wharf. Come and kick off Carnivale 2010 in style. The Sugar Wharf. 6 pm – midnight. $60.00 presold, $50.00 at the door. Tickets include a superb meal.

Securely buy and print
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the Hollywood Carnivale Opening Gala
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Friday 28

Carnivale Jazz Cabaret @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Los Caracoles $5

Evening Session (7 – 12): Take Five featuring Wilma Reading

$20 door / $15 online presale

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your tickets for
Jazz Cabaret
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“Onstage , Simon lets his soulful nylon strings and sensual,  life affirming lyrics coax the audience into the uncertain future with all the strength and hope that love and music can provide” ( T. Marke  2008 )

Described as “ edgy, soulful, and a mantra for the modern world”, Simon’s original slant on the roots/indie acoustic scene is gathering momentum with a strong reaction to his live shows and self produced E.P ” Goonegerry to Degraves Street”.

This Independent artist is proving across Australia and Europe that his live shows  and street performances are dynamic and sincere, with the right combination of infectious groove and powerful lyrics.

European Tours in 2007 & 2008 saw Simon performing  solo shows and festivals in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Germany and Spain.

2008 Australian shows received great response on the ” Pleased to Meet you Tour “with fellow acoustic soloists Jess Harlen and Travis Marke ,and a magnetic performance at “Island Vibe”  roots / reggae  festival, as well as wowing the crowd with a surprise set in the Woodford Folk Festivals famous “Chai Tent”.

2009 Included the Kuranda Roots Festival and European tour highlights of the 5th Barcelona Buskers Festival  ( joined by percussionist Fede Rodriguez ) and solo shows in Spain , France and Ireland.

Work has begun on the 2010 release of his new album.

http://www.myspace.com/simonasquithmusic

Simon is playing at the Street Parade on Friday May 21st, in all three of the Street Entertainment Zones and also at the Carnivale Club on Wed 26th and Saturday 29th and at Beach Day.

Wednesday 26

Port Vibe @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Simon Asquith

Evening Session (7 – 12): The McMenamins

$15 door / $10 online presale

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THE McMENAMINS

The McMenamins are a brother and sister duo from Far North Queensland. Fleur (guitar and vocals) and Simon (violin, mandolin, banjo, harmonies), entwine their honeyed vocal harmonies with driven instrumentals to create beautiful, often footstompin’ folk/alt country acoustica. Rolling Stone magazine described their gigs as ‘rock solid folk’. Their two independent albums have gained consistent radio play, and they have supported acts including Missy Higgins, The Waifs, Jason Mraz & Toni Childs.
The McMenamins single ‘What it Takes’ was nominated for a 2008 Q Song Award. This followed on from the duo winning the 2007 ABC Regional Q Song Award for their single ‘How It Is’ from their album ‘In this Light’. With regular gigs and festivals dates around the region, The McMenamins are gearing up to release their 3rd studio album in late 2010.

The McMenamins will appear at Club Carnivale on 27 May between 7 – 12 pm.

Wednesday 26

Port Vibe @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Simon Asquith

Evening Session (7 – 12): The McMenamins

$15 door / $10 online presale

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“Matt Kirsch has this ability to take a melody and deconstruct it until it is almost unrecognisable, apart from the occasional hint at the riff and then to bring it back together just in time for a loving full stop.

Kirsch prefers the laid back and late night sounds, hence the tile of the album “nightmusic”. He loves to slow down the melody, off beat and pre-emptive until he is taking only a note here and there, leaving you waiting eagerly for the next excursive return to the fond familiarity of the melody.

“Translucent is a fluid, at times languid, jazz improvised disc that works well for buffs of the genre. The songs flow within themselves and into each other. The moods are quietly inspiring, peaceful and have their own form of enchantment. The arrangement of the Beatles song “And I Love Her” recalls Jeff Beck, and the rest, all Kirsch’s compositions, well compliment the mood of their titles, such as Around Sunset, Translucent and After The Storm. Tres Caliente is a very catchy tune. Some nice piano byColin Hopkins and pedal steel by Ed Bates.”

-PETER DONALD, BEAT MAGAZINE

“The musicianship is excellent, the originality is high and the ambience is stunning. I would say this is jazz music at its best- great virtuosos, good songs and nice improvisation. This album’s sound stage is very open, well balanced and has a sharp clarity…Translucent is an excellent album showing some of our best talent at their absolute best.”

- IN SEARCH OF A PERFECT GROOVE, 3PBS FM

Tuesday 25

Carnivale Wine @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Matt Kirsch $5

Evening Session (7 – 12): Wine and Cheese Tasting: We will be featuring St Hallet wines from the Barossa and Stuart Blackwell, the Chief Wine Maker from St Hallet Wines will be doing the presentation.

$15 door / $10 online presale

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From the Port Douglas Hinterland, Australia, the Hillbillygoats have travelled and performed over 250 live shows at festivals, pubs, clubs and corporate events. The dynamic duo of Bryce and Mahney Wearne take their influence of Hillbilly Roots, Ole Time Music and Modern & Traditional Bluegrass and combine it with Rock’n’Roll Favourites and Australiana to present 4 different shows that have been described as “knee-slapping, toe-tapping, high tempo fun!”.

Melding their energy with “top shelf” session musicians on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, honky tonk piano, accordion and vocal harmonies, the metamorphic line-up creates a sound and experience that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

GIG HIGHLIGHTS:

Yungaburra Folk Festival 2006/07/08/09
Wallaby Creek Festival 2007/08/09
Cooktown Discovery Festival 2008/09
The Tanks Unplugged Feature Act Sep 09
Redlands Bluegrass Convention (Sat concert) 2009
Port Douglas Carnivale 2009
Cairns Blues Festival Roadshow 1 – 2009

The Australiana and Bush Dance Band -

Performing droving, shearing and settlement songs, we not only tell a story of Australia, but get the audience participating in our traditional Australian Bush Dances. Using 4-5 musicians plus our energetic dance caller, let us guide you through the dance steps. We have performed this show for many North Queensland schools, several corporate functions and the Famous Yungaburra Folk Festival Bush Dance (where we had more than 300 dancers in the hall!).

BUSH DANCES include:

The Barn Dance
Strip the Willow
Heel & Toe Polka
Pride of Erin
The Waves of Bondi
The Gallopede
The Stockyards
The Kangaroo Hop (great for kids)
The Hillbillygoat Fling (our own dance)

http://www.myspace.com/hillbillygoats

http://www.myspace.com/kandpeaches

Band Bio: Emerging on New Years Eve 2008 with their first single ‘Party Boy’ at their first ever gig, Kan’d Peaches have gone on to perform at various music events and festivals and have even had their music video played on Channel TEN. Within the first year they had won both the Mossman and Cairns Under 18 Highschool Battle of the Bands with their original songs, gaining radio play and going on to perform infront of over 3000 people at the Footprints Music Festivals ‘Sunset in the Park’ and ‘The Great Aussie Arvo’ held in Port Douglas.

2009 saw Kan’d Peaches develop their trademark style of Indie Rock with their original songs as they received 3rd place in the Cairns Heat of the Global Battle of the Bands with Denny Burgess (Masters & Aprentices) and 2nd in the Livewire Songwriters comp. They then went on to impress hundreds of spectators at Gilligans Nightclub as they battled it out in hope of a spot in the Cairns TimeOut Concert (feat. Hilltop Hoods,Grinspoon and The Fumes), but being all Under 18 they had to leave as soon as they had finished their set. A large milestone was recording their Demo EP, produced by mentor and friend Danny Ross. The four track CD features their most popular song “Take the Bus Back” which is accompanied by a Music Video that has been played on Southern Cross TEN’s Landed Music.

After welcoming new comer Joel Mather (Lead Guitar) and supporting popular Brisbane band ‘YVES KLEIN BLUE’ at the TANKS Art Centre in Cairns, Kan’d Peaches are now writing new material and preparing for future demo recording.

Sunday 23

Rock N Blues Jam @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): Kan’d Peaches $5

Evening Session (7 – 12): Swamp Dust

Free Entry

1 RAR Band is known throughout North Queensland as the premiere military band of the north. Not only does the band carry out ceremonial tasking for the Army, it also finds itself in great demand from the public for performances. This goes hand in hand with the band’s role in raising the profile of the army to the civilian community. It is often said that the band is the public face of the Army in the north.

Consisting of thirty highly talented musicians, the band often performs a variety of styles from swing through to popular chart toppers. Vocals, instrumentals, marching displays, and comedy pieces are all part of the bands repertoire.  2010 will be another busy year for the band with an estimated 200 performances. 1RAR Band continues to produce high quality entertainment for the Army and the general public and is keen to build on its outstanding reputation.  Come along and enjoy the big band sounds of the fabulous 1RAR Band at the Hollywood Opening Gala or the sounds of the Jazz Band on Saturday at the Carnivale Club as they play the Jazz under the Stars Concert.  Joining the band at the Jazz under the Stars event are the superb voices of Helene Johnson and Claudio, two international vocalists who play under the name “Ebony and Ivory”

Thursday 20

Carnivale Opening: Hollywood Gala Event

Port Douglas Catering presents Hollywood Gala Opening Event. Great food, beverages and fantastic entertainment from the 1RAR Big Band, Los Caracoles, comedians Shirlee Sunflower and Dave the Great and shows from the Spinn Sisters Hoopstars at Port’s best location on the Port Douglas Sugar Wharf. Come and kick off Carnivale 2010 in style. The Sugar Wharf. 6 pm – midnight. $60.00 presold, $50.00 at the door. Tickets include a superb meal.

Securely buy and print
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the Hollywood Carnivale Opening Gala
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Saturday 22

Jazz under the Stars @ Carnivale Club

Sunset Sessions (5 – 7 pm): 1RAR Jazz Band $5

Evening Session (7 – 12): 1RAR Jazz Band, “Ebony and Ivory”: Helen Johnson and Claudio

$15 door / $10 online presale

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Jazz under the Stars
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