Celebrating 10 years of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2012 will see a number of exciting changes.
"We've outgrown the venue," said Anthony Younus, CEO of Chillout Productions. "It's always sad to say goodbye but it's wonderful news because we will now be able to accommodate so many more jazz fans."
While tabloid! could exclusively reveal the "ins and outs" of the popular festival, we thought it was only fair to let the hard-working people behind the annual event enjoy five minutes of fame. Besides, Younus could hardly contain himself.
"I am extremely delighted to announce the 10th year celebratory edition of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival and welcome the festivals fans and guests at Dubai Festival City — the new home of our flagship festival.
"Instead of a Jazz Garden leading up to the main three-day weekend, next year we're having two huge weekends of main gigs with the Jazz Garden sandwiched in between," he said.
The 2012 edition will feature 27 acts including a "Best Of" line-up.
"We decided to add on to the main gigs a fourth night to have two consecutive weekends of concerts. This will see James Blunt on February 16 followed by Jools Holland on February 17. The Jazz Garden from February 18-22. On February 23 we'll invite festival newbie Jason Mraz and favourite James Morrison back for the final night on February 24."
The new venue will allow numbers to grow from 8,000 to 11,000, including VIP sections. And for all those worrying the festival will take place on the concrete car park at DFC, don't.
"It's a brand new venue. It has grass and wonderful views of the Dubai skyline including the iconic Burj Khalifa," Younus added.
