Monterey California Jazz Festival, Sept 16-18

The 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, located at 2000 Fairgrounds Road in Monterey, California, from September 16 - 18, 2011.

Consistently voted “World's Best Jazz Festival” by the readers of JazzTimes Magazine, the Monterey Jazz Festival offers 20 acres of magnificent oak-studded grounds for fans to enjoy, featuring films, conversations with the Festival's stars, exhibitions, food and beverages, an international shopping bazaar, and 8 stages of live jazz entertainment spread throughout the grounds.

The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest running jazz festival in the world. It is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey Fairgrounds, located at 2000 Fairground Road in Monterey, California. This has been the site of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

More than 500 top jazz artists perform throughout the weekend on 8 stages spread throughout the grounds. Outdoor venues include the Arena (Jimmy Lyons Stage), the Garden Stage, the West Lawn Stage, and the Courtyard Stage.  Indoor venues include the Night Club (Bill Berry Stage), Dizzy's Den, the Jazz Theater, and the Coffee House Gallery.

The Arena features 5 concerts throughout the Festival weekend. All Arena Seating is reserved seating, available with the purchase of Arena Packages or Single Day Arena Tickets. Arena Packages and Tickets also allow access to 7 additional Grounds stages and all Grounds activities at no extra cost.

Grounds Stage Tickets include simulcasts of Arena concerts in the Jazz Theater and access to 6 additional Grounds stages and all Grounds activities.

The Festival's Premier Access Pass (available with Arena or Adult Grounds Stage Ticket purchase) includes a special VIP entry gate to the Fairgrounds, entry to the Premier Access Club (featuring closed circuit Arena simulcasts, artist visits, access to private restrooms), and a Premier Access Gift Bag.

Gates open at 6:00 pm on Friday night, 11:30 am on Saturday, and 11:00 am on Sunday. Non-stop, live jazz entertainment continues until approximately midnight on Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 pm on Sunday.