Just over two and a half weeks remain until the 52nd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL in Dresden, the world’s largest and oldest traditional jazz festival, from 12 May to Whit Sunday, 19 May 2024.

Whether France’s Mama Shakers and Swing to Bop, the Louis Armstrong Celebration Band from the Netherlands or SOKO Dixie from Austria: 38 bands and soloists from ten countries offer around 250 hours in 44 events over eight days, almost half (110 hours) free. A modest unexpected contribution in early March allowed Dresdner Jazzmeile (17–19 May 2024) to expand from a planned one-stage miniature on Prager Straße to almost its former level with three stages. Dixieland-Parade (19 May) also proceeds, circling Brühlsche Terrasse because of simultaneous events.

New venues include Boulevardtheater Dresden, Comödie Dresden, Hoppes Hoftheater in Dresden-Weißig, Barockgarten Großsedlitz and Hotel Ramada by Wyndham Dresden. After construction, the festival returns to the Altmarkt spring market stage. Dresden boogie veteran Thomas Stelzer, celebrating 60 in 2024, returns after over ten years.

Tradition, innovation and distinctive experiences for all ages – at the highest musical standard

Familiar favourites remain: opening Dixieland in Familie at the zoo, Jazzclub at Feldschlößchen Stammhaus, Dixieland International at Kulturpalast, Riverboat-Shuffle aboard Weiße Flotte and Open-Air-Gala at Junge Garde. New Dixie meets Barock at Barockgarten Großsedlitz (18 May 2024, 14:00) features long-standing favourites Lamarotte (Netherlands).

Comödie Dresden debuts as a venue (17 May, 19:00), featuring The OhnO! Jazzband from the Netherlands, acclaimed in 2023. Neighbouring Boulevardtheater presents its first Bernd Seiferts Dixie-Sause with, among others, Joyful Gumbo Jazzband (17 May, 19:30). Another new format and venue is Wohnzimmerkonzert at Hoppes Hoftheater (15 May, 20:00), featuring Dresden boogie pianist Ulrike Hausmann among others.

After last year’s successful debut, dance-oriented Dixie-Pub returns to Alter Schlachthof and Elektro meets Dixie on the Dancefloor to Neonworx (Kraftwerk Mitte), with Placebo Flamingo and DJ Ekki. Both celebrate swing dancing’s global revival to live music and deliberately reach younger audiences.

Established Lebens-Künstler (15 May 2024, 15:00–21:00) deserves attention. Since 1998, jazz musicians perform for people with disabilities at Cultus gGmbH’s residence for people with intellectual disabilities in Altleuben, with accessible dancing or listening. Thousands of Dresden residents and guests from disability facilities nationwide traditionally attend this free public outdoor event, now a popular street/neighbourhood celebration rather than an insider recommendation.

There is good news for those deciding at short notice: affordable tickets remain for almost all ticketed events at the INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL 2024. “We want to attract younger audiences and families, so offer a €9 ticket and special tickets for school and university students. Our three packages, covering three or five events, offer substantial savings,” explains Hendrik Meyer. Programme, line-up, advance sales and further information are online at www.dixielandfestival-dresden.com.

The INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL remains a major financial and organisational challenge

Although the programme is confirmed, anticipation of the 52nd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL is high and several funding gaps have been closed, the organisers remain concerned. “Despite the Altstadt district advisory council’s short-notice contribution towards free events, and given slow advance sales so far, we can unfortunately offer only a reduced Jazzmeile this year – but it will take place! Last year there were eight stages; this time the money covers only five stages and a raised performance platform between Prager Straße and Taschenberg,” says Dr Steffen Kiefer, chairman of Sächsische Festival Vereinigung e.V. (SFV) and festival production director.

Above all, Kiefer and his long-standing fellow SFV board members seek reliable public funding for free events, enabling long-term, dependable planning and communication. Dr Steffen Kiefer stresses: “I can only repeat this: the INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL offers a varied, largely free programme for young and old from near and far, attracting hundreds of thousands annually. Responsible decision-makers and bodies must finally recognise its importance to Dresden’s tourism, reputation and economy. Only substantially increased, continuously available institutional funding can secure free events long-term amid rising costs and excessive bureaucracy. Despite formal enquiries, Dresden has given no commitment to ongoing financial support. We will probably face the same problems next year, and Jazzmeile 2025 is already uncertain.”

Some long-standing partners withdrew for economic reasons, reducing airport event Blues, Boogie & Swing, which is unlikely to remain from 2025. New partner STERNAUTO Dresden joins established Opel Mätschke to fill transport gaps. “Thanks also go to the road traffic authority, roads/civil engineering department and central events office for jointly seeking Jazzmeile and parade solutions,” concludes Meyer.

The festival in figures

Bands and soloists: 38
international: 15, other German acts: 11, Dresden: 12
Music:
around 250 hours, including 110 free
Events: 44
Stages/performance sites: 46