Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The Filipino-born Jones had followed Sydney-born sister Monica Trapaga to her dance lessons, and started his theatrical career as a classical ballet dancer before switching to, let’s say, more contemporary music. Though that would include cabaret and torch/swing era songs when he moved from Jimmy & the Boys to the musically opposite Pardon Me Boys, with the late Bill O’Riordan (aka Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth and Monica).Ignatius Jones and his sister Monica Trapaga.Credit: Palani MohanBefore he became one of the world’s celebrated events organisers, Ignatius Jones was a music journalist for RAM Magazine, The Edge and Stiletto, which he edited; a reporter on youth affairs and an interviewer on Culture Shock for SBS-TV; an actor in a range of films and TV shows – once playing a marriage celebrant in Pandemonium and the singer of Love Is in the Air in Strictly Ballroom; a popular talking head on talk shows; a judge on television talent quests – once joining The Mavis Bramston Show’s Noeline Brown, Julie Anthony and Melissa Tkautz and me on one episode where we decided the fate of hopeful young artists; a published author with the books True Hip (with Pat Sheil) and The 1992 True Hip Manual; and a director of music videos for Monica & the Moochers. He also recorded some moderately successful solo disco singles, including the Steve Kilbey-penned Like A Ghost and Whispering Your Name.In 2003, Jones directed the opera Orpheus.Credit: FairfaxEverything he took on was motivated by his bristling intelligence and curiosity. Those close to him have spoken of him being extraordinarily good company, sophisticated, well-read and always charming. After toying with all those pursuits he finally came upon something that truly challenged him.I came upon him again when I was engaged by Rik Birch as a music consultant for the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Jones and dancer David Atkins were the creative directors for both the opening and closing events. He was then responsible for Sydney’s Millennium Celebrations and directed its New Year’s Eve and Centenary of Federation celebrations.In 2002, again with Atkins, Ignatius co-wrote and co-directed the stage musical, The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular, with a cast of over 250,47 horses and two dogs. Then at the invitation of Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos Horta he directed for the United Nations the independence ceremonies for East Timor, which would soon be known as Timor-Leste. He described his role in an event, attended by 175,000 people and over 40 world leaders, with some pride, as one of the few people ever to direct the “opening night of a country”.In 2012, Jones was the artistic director of the King’s Cross Festival.Credit: Steven SiewertThat year also saw him create the opening of the Gay Games which he opened before almost 40,000 with the words “Australia and the gay and lesbian community is not so much a melting pot … We are more of a mixed salad, where every part remains separate, yet adds to the wonder of the whole.” He had been the first artistic director of the Sydney Mardi Gras since 1992. From 2011 to 2019 he was the creative director of Vivid Sydney.In 2005, after Ignatius wrote and devised The Australian Outback Spectacular, on Australia’s Gold Coast, Jones and Atkins were off to the Middle East to produce a corporate event at the Jeddah Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia. Then came the Doha 2006 Asian Games.Four years later they worked on the opening ceremony of Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He took upon himself Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks – the first explosions to reverberate around the world. He conceived the idea of basing one theme around Eternity, which was written anonymously on Sydney footpaths many decades before.By this stage Ignatius Jones was one of the best known and in demand event organisers in the world. He was awarded an AM in the 2019 Australia Day Honours.Jones was one of the best known and in-demand event organisers in the world.Credit: Steven SiewertIgnatius Jones died at his home in Manila on 7 May. In his later years he had to use a cane for mobility – the price he had to pay for the abuse he put his limbs through for much of his performance years. He had no children and his younger siblings were brothers Luis Miguel, Rocio Maria and sister Monica.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
