For the past nine years, the second weekend in March has been cemented as the must attend event known as Jazz in the Gardens, and no other activity can get in the way. This year the popular weekend of music has been extended to encompass a third day with the addition of a Friday Night Opening Party -- and they're going old school with Dazz Band and the S.O.S. Band.The Dazz Band, the American funk music band that was most popular in the early 1980s for its hit songs like the Grammy Award-winning "Let It Whip", "Joystick", "Let It All Blow" and "You Are My Starship", along with the S.O.S. Band, an American R&B and electro-funk group that also gained fame in the 1980s and is best known for its songs "Take Your Time", "Just Be Good to Me", "Tell Me If You Still Care", and "The Finest", will take you back in time and warm you up for Saturday and Sunday.The funky addition to the Jazz in the Gardens weekend, the Friday night opening party, takes place at Calder Casino & Race Course located at 21001 NW 27th Ave., Miami, Florida, with the party kicking off at 9 p.m. At least 1,500 people can be accommodated at the party, for which tickets are already selling like hotcakes. Advance tickets can be purchased for $45 at jazzinthegardens.frontgatetickets.com.When the disco ball stops spinning and the party is over, LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, Mint Condition, Anthony Hamilton, Stanley Clarke, Rachelle Farrell and Boney James will take to the stage over the weekend at Sun Life Stadium.As has been the case for the past five years, The Guardian Group of Companies will be giving Bahamians opportunities to attend the concert, giving away four complete packages that will allow eight people to enjoy the 9th Annual Jazz in the Gardens on The Guardian Group of companies, free of charge, by entering the various promotions offered in The Nassau Guardian and on radio stations Star 106.5 FM, and Hot 91.7 FM.Two people will win complete packages for two on Star 106.5 FM inclusive of airfare on Bahamasair, accommodations at Staybridge Suites Plantation or Comfort Suites Sawgrass, car rental with Dollar/Thrifty and concert tickets for both nights. And winning is as simple as listening to Star 106.5 FM and calling in to register for the promotion when you hear a song by one of the artists on the lineup for Jazz in the Gardens being played. You can also sign up at Star's Facebook page using the sign up form that can be emailed in to Star to be registered.One complete package for two can also be won through The Nassau Guardian. It's as simple as filling in the entry form in the newspaper, clipping it out and dropping it off at the Carter Street, Oakes Field office of the newspaper. One person will win roundtrip tickets on Bahamasair for two, accommodations at Staybridge Suites Plantation or Comfort Suites Sawgrass, car rental with Dollar/Thrifty and concert tickets for both nights.Another complete package for two can also be won through Hot 91.7 with Ibiza nightclub -- roundtrip tickets on Bahamasair for two, accommodations at Staybridge Suites Plantation or Comfort Suites Sawgrass, car rental with Dollar/Thrifty and concert tickets for both nights. Sign up for a chance at winning the fabulous prize will take place every Thursday during the Hot live remote from Ibiza, and up until March 6 folks can sign up for the chance to win during the Hot live remote.All of the winners will be announced on March 7, one week before the most anticipated weekend of the month.As The Guardian Group of Companies could not give out as many prize packages as they would like and knowing that Bahamians will be traveling to South Florida en masse anyway to enjoy the weekend, an opportunity is being afforded to people who purchase Bahamasair tickets (with a special starting rate of $291.90 inclusive of taxes) for that weekend to win concert tickets. With the purchase of a Bahamasair ticket for that weekend, they will automatically be entered into a drawing for concert tickets. And they can listen in to The Guardian Group of Companies radio stations for pop-up opportunities to win concert tickets as well.Star 106.5 FM and Hot 91.7 programming director Tony Williams said with eight people being able to enjoy the Jazz in the Gardens weekend with all expenses paid on The Guardian Group of Companies that this would be the most complete packages given away in its six-year history with the Jazz in the Gardens festival.He described this year's line-up as a good mix that will cater across the generations. Williams himself is most interested in seeing what LL Cool J brings to the stage. He's also excited about the Funky Friday Night Opening Party that will add a new flavor to the event."The Funky Friday Night Opening Party is something different, especially for the old school folks who may not know too much about the new artists, and for those people who may be going over to Florida early, so they will have something to do," said Williams. Star 106.5 FM has already given away tickets to this new feature.Williams is also eager to see Jamie Foxx, Kelly Rowland and Mint Condition."Jamie Foxx can be considered old school as well as new school, and he's a comedian, so I think you're going to get a good show out of Jamie Foxx, so I'm looking forward to seeing him as well as Kelly Rowland who I've never seen before, but she's got quite a body of work including Dirty Laundry and Kisses Down Low which were very big for her, plus she had songs before that, including some gospel songs, so I think people will enjoy her. Then there's Mint Condition who I've never seen, but I know their music," said Williams.Bahamasair's senior manager for international sales, Woody Wilson said the company was pleased to partner with The Guardian Group of Companies for the sixth consecutive year to promote the 9th Annual Jazz in the Gardens."Over the years we've enjoyed this partnership and look forward to the years to come as long as there's a Jazz in the Gardens festival to go to, to ensure that Bahamians can attend and enjoy Jazz in the Gardens," said Wilson.The international sales manager said it's become so popular for Bahamians to fly into Miami and Fort Lauderdale for the Jazz in the Gardens weekend that Bahamasair has increased its seat load into the destinations to accommodate the crowd. They are looking to add an extra flight going out on the Friday and returning on the Monday.What: 9th Annual Jazz in the GardensWhen: March 14, 15 and 16Where: Sun Life Stadium, 2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens, FloridaPerforming artists line upSaturday, March 15 (Gates open at 3 p.m.) -- Line-up is subject to change. Times can be adjusted without notice.4 p.m. -- Local talent TBA4:35 p.m. -- Local talent TBA5 p.m. -- Boney James6:20 p.m. -- Mint Condition7:40 p.m. -- Kelly Rowland9 p.m. -- Trey Songz10:30 p.m. -- Jamie FoxxSunday, March 16 (Gates open at 3 p.m.) -- Line-up is subject to change. Times can be adjusted without notice.4 p.m. -- Local talent TBA4:35 p.m. -- Rachelle Ferrell5:55 -- Stanley Clarke7:10 p.m. -- Anthony Hamilton8:30 p.m. -- LL Cool J10 p.m. -- Maze featuring Frankie BeverlyHost: D.L. HughleyTickets: On sale at www.jazzinthegardens.com, the Sun Life Stadium Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.Opening night party:Featuring Dazz Band with S.O.S. BandWhen: Friday, March 14Time: 9 p.m.Where: Calder Casino & Race Course located at 21001 NW 27th Ave., Miami, Florida.Tickets: Advance tickets can be had for $45 and can be purchased at jazzinthegardens.frontgatetickets.com.Guardian Group of Companies special rates for the Jazz in the Guardian weekendBahamasair roundtrip tickets -- starting at $291.90, (includes of all taxes)HotelsSheraton Suites -- $149 and $159Comfort Suites Sawgrass -- $89Staybridge Suites Plantation -- $120 (studio), $140 (one bedroom king), $150 (one bedroom, two double beds), $220 (two bedroom suite).

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