MIRI: The Borneo Jazz Festival, now in its 11th year, is fast becoming a signature event for Miri, playing out to big bucks in the tourism business, said Mayor Lawrence Lai.
He said the Miri City Council (MCC) welcomes collaboration, as in joint organisation of activities, events and programmes that portray Miri not only as vibrant but also as a green Resort City.
Mayor Lai was among around the 2,000-strong audience on the first night of the festival held at ParkCity Everly Hotel here on Friday night.
“The (Miri) city council welcomes any organisation and bodies including the private sector, to organise events either on their own or jointly with others and in collaboration with the city council,” he said in an interview during intermission.
Lai was accompanied by Sarawak Tourism Board director of events and corporate relations Angelina Patricia Bateman.
According to Angelina, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will collaborate with city council in organising Miri City Day Half Marathon.
“The marathon will be held on Sunday while Borneo Jazz is on Friday and Saturday. We will tie both the marathon and Borneo Jazz together. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Jazz lovers can join the marathon while the runners can have an enjoyable and relaxation on Friday and Saturday evening of Borneo Jazz,” she added.
Lai believed that the collaboration with STB will boost the popularity of both events in making Miri a tourist destination.
The first night of the festival on Friday night featured four bands with O Sister from Spain for the opening act, followed by A.P.I (a Malaysia-India collaboration), Yuchiro Tokuda’s Razzdig (Japan) and Manou Gallo Groove Orchestra (Ivory Coast & Belgium).
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