Marian Pearson credits a cohort of “cool cats” with what promises to be a hot music festival next week.
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Yet the president and coordinator of the Moruya Jazz Festival could have been forgiven for dropping her bundle this year, after losing husband and comrade-in-jazz Roger Pearson in July.
“But what can you do,” Mrs Pearson said.
“You can’t bring him back, so you just go on and do it. I made a commitment and I have had extraordinary help from everyone on the committee. Everyone has just picked up a bit because of what has happened.”
The 17th annual festival will be held on October 18, 19 and 20.
Organising the community event that gets Moruya dancing for three days each year could be a recipe for getting heated, but “everyone seems to know exactly what they are doing”.
“I just sit here and coordinate the cool cats,” Mrs Pearson said.
To a collective sigh of gratitude, Peter Poole has returned as music director.
“He has the most to pull his hair out about, but he is fabulous and I don’t have to worry about anything,” Mrs Pearson said.
“Val Johnston has organised the volunteers and we are full, we actually have a waiting list, which is amazing. She has done so well.”
Treasurer Bev Creenaune has performed wonders on the smell of an oily rag, secretary Sarah Wilkie-Snow has jumped in whenever needed and Pauline Cameron-Storey has pounded the pavement to drum up sponsorship.
Gloria Bell has organised the Festival of Voice and Mrs Pearson roped in her neighbour and fellow vintage car lover John McCarter for help with the Saturday parade.
She promises she does not try to rope in all her neighbours, “just that one”, but the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner is not so sure.
She then admitted to “roping in Owen Mass, who will be the marshal for the parade”.
“I have had the most amazing help from Greg Knight at the council and Monika McInerney, Kerrie-Anne Benton and Cath Reilly have all been amazing. They have bent over backwards,” she said.
Mrs Pearson says she is looking forward to the parade and to Kiwi performer Miho Wada and her jazz orchestra.
“It should be great fun,” she said.
“I am looking forward to the floats. Last year they looked fabulous and I am waiting to see what they produce this year.”
And for Roger, who helped with the festival for several years, Mrs Pearson will “wear a bow in my hair”.
