Businesses get jazz hands ready for music festival

An appeal has gone out to businesses in Cork City to “jazz up their premises” ahead of what is the biggest money-making festival in the city’s calendar.

The committee which organises the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival is hoping the €1,000 in prize money will encourage the city businesses to deck out with a musical theme in the week leading up to the festival.

The jazz festival kicks off on Friday, Oct 25, with the main attractions over the bank holiday weekend including Chic and Nile Rodgers, Primal Scream, and Courtney Pine. There will also be 180 music sessions as well as free street events

Bernard Casey, chairman of the organising committee that is bringing the street bands to the city for the festival, said it was important to create a good atmosphere.

“We would love as many businesses as possible in the city centre to get involved. It doesn’t take a lot of money. All it takes a bit of imagination,” Mr Casey said.

There will be five winners of different categories, depending on the size of the outlet, with the top prize of €500 going to the best original window display.

The winners will be announced when the jazz festival is over.

Cork Chamber of Commerce chief executive Conor Healy said his organisation would be calling on its members to make a splash.

“It’s very important that businesses use the festival to promote Cork and maximise business potential because the festival is worth at least €20m annually to the city,” Mr Healy said.

Donal Healy, his counterpart in the Cork Business Association, said visitors to the city that weekend were, traditionally, great spenders.

“We should have a very good atmosphere in the city as the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival follows directly on from Rebel Week,” he said.

* Anybody interested in getting involved in putting on jazz-themed window displays are asked to contact Fiona Collins of the organising committee at [e-mail]