Monday, June 10, 2013

International Dixieland Festival in Dresden


I am going to jump into one of the biggest German events in May called the International Dixieland Festival. This post was inspired by my recent trip in March to New Orleans, LA. If you are unfamiliar, Dixieland is a music style developed in the 1910s from the imitation of New Orleans jazz by white musicians. To the right, I have included a video that shows you the crowds gathered to hear the incredible jazz music in 2009 for the 39th Annual Festival.


Every year since 1971 on the second week in May, half a million jazz fans gather to Dresden to celebrate Germany’s oldest old-time jazz festival. There are numerous venues, so it is a great chance to simultaneously tour the city. For 8 days and 7 night, more than 350 concert throughout the city give opportunities to old and new artists to entertain large audiences. There are events such as a riverboat shuffle on the Elbe River’s floating stage, an open-air jazz concert on the stage in Grosser Garten park, and more. The climax of the festivities is the Dixieland parade through the city center that culminates in a farewell jazz session. Many events are free. Ticketed events go on sale in November and they go fast.


2 comments:

  1. I'm jealous! This sounds like so much fun. I visited New Orleans for the first time three years ago and I fell in love with their unique style of jazz. How great that you will be able to hear it in Germany!

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  2. Sounds like such a fun event, and I can not believe that some of the events are free. What a fun but historical event to be apart of, have fun!

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