Jazz, Groove, Funk and March Snow

The 25th Thredbo Jazz Festival was held this year many weeks earlier than the usual early May that we had been used to, but someone forgot to tell the weather. By Friday we were experiencing sub zero temperatures and the wind was up making it feel like the middle of winter. To top it off it snowed on Friday and some reserves of sago could still be found on Saturday around Eagles Nest. Wind-chills went below -10C with winds close to 100kph at times.

The hardy Jazz followers, used to May conditions, came well equipped with gloves, overcoats, scarfs and warm hats. The Kirrawee High School Stage Band, who played each morning outside Squatters Run, were well accustomed to the conditions but Mosman High on their first visit must have been in some shock.

Sunday arrived with clear blue skies and only a faint breeze in the village. It was simply wonderful weather and Poolside was a treat - quite warm in the sun and cool in the shade.

Numbers were well down this year, but on the good side, this meant not having to wait in queues to get into venues. I enjoyed every venue I went to but I must admit my highlights were Ray Beadle in the Schuss Bar on Saturday night/Sunday morning, Hot Potato on Sunday afternoon and Jeff Duff appearing almost everywhere during the weekend and into Monday morning.

Thanks to all the performers, roadies, sound guys, sponsors, Yalumba, organisers, Jen, the volunteers and music lovers for making another memorable and very enjoyable weekend in Thredbo.

Kirrawee High School Stage Band on a brisk winter's Saturday morning

Swing dancing was one fun way to keep warm

Yes, fresh white stuff outside Eagles Nest at noon on Saturday
Slope grooming has begun

Glen on keyboards with Jeff Duff playing for lunch in Eagles Nest

Jeff managed to allow himself to get involved in 7 gigs
and the fire brigade over the weekend ;-)

Improvisation or just good recycling practices?

Shiraz

Not the Wiggles but Hot Potato all the same

A lazy Sunday afternoon at poolside was popular with performers and locals alike

Hot Potato win my award for the most entertaining group of the weekend

Apart from Jazz there's been a lot happening around Thredbo. If you haven't heard the big news - Kim Clifford has resigned as general manager for Kosciuszko Thredbo. He will stay around on a consulting basis for sometime. His replacement starts in mid June.

Tommy Tomasi has made the front cover of the Snowy region telephone book and well deserved. It's a pity the print inside is too small for many of us to be able to read.

When I confronted Dougie about his new $6 corkage on BYO at Alfredo Pizza he told me the good news was that there would be no charge from the start of winter as there would be no BYO allowed.

We are now past the Autumn Equinox, meaning the days are now shorter than the nights.

Lincoln Hall, the Australian climber, once left for dead overnight on Everest, died last Wednesday aged 56.

Grump: Despite promises from local state member John Barilaro and the NPWS that the passholders' lane on the Alpine Way would be open "during key events", they obviously didn't think the 25th Thredbo Jazz Festival was a "key event" and they are trying their hardest to keep it that way. If you were inconvenienced at the toll gates write to your local member. Complaining to the NPWS will have no effect whatsoever.

On Monday morning after her news conference, did you see any similarity between Anna Bligh and the captain of the Costa Concordia after shipwrecking those who put their confidence in him?