The New York Film Festival, now celebrating its 43rd year, continues its proud tradition of showing the newest and most important cinematic works by directors from around the world. The 17-day Festival is an unparalleled showcase of inspiring and provocative cinema by emerging talents and first-rank international artists whose films are often recognized as contemporary classics.

New York (New York), USA - The 2006 JVC Jazz Festival - New York covers the city June 12 - 24 with more than 300 artists performing the best in jazz, blues, ragtime, swing, Latin, Brazilian, R&B, tap dance and more in over 100 concerts and events (including clubs) at more than 20 venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tickets are now on sale.

This year’s festival highlights include Dave Brubeck’s first New York performance with his big band, Smokey Robinson’s first concert at Carnegie Hall in 31 years and Etta James’ first in 21 years, Ralph Towner’s first New York solo performance in 20 years, the reunion of Stanley Clarke and George Duke after a 16-year hiatus, a New Orleans trumpet celebration, the New York debut of Sangam with Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland, all-star salutes to Cachao, Herbie Hancock, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bucky Pizzarelli, the Village Vanguard and Cobi Narita, and the return of Ornette Coleman to the JVC Jazz Festival.

The king of New York’s jazz festivals since 1973, each summer the JVC Jazz Festival New York brings some of the greatest names in music to the city. Spanning traditional jazz, R&B, Latin and blues, artists from around the world gather in venues ranging from the Carnegie Hall to Bryant Park.

Highlights of the extensive programme in 2006 include the Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project, The Mike Stern Band, The Avishai Cohen Trio, The Ornette Coleman Quartet, Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra with Joe Lovano, Etta James, Brad Mehldau, Dave Brubeck, Smokey Robinson, Herbie Hancock and Bill Frisell.

Walking around Edinburgh in late July, you’ll likely feel the first vibrations of the earthquake that is festival time, which shakes the city throughout August and into September. You may hear reference to an “Edinburgh Festival,” but this is really an umbrella term for six separate festivals all taking place around the same time.