Rock'n'Roll Shindig at St Kilda Town Hall - 26 Aug - What a Night !
Was a wonderful night of great music and dancing in an iconic Melbourne venue.
The portico at the front of the St Kilda Town Hall was decorated with a few nice classic cars, and inside the entry area was alive with traders offering all sorts of rock gear, giving a festive feel from the moment we entered.
Everyone seemed to have dressed up for the night and there were big skirts aplenty.
The huge (and excellent-for-dancing) dance hall still shows signs of the fire that gutted it in April 1991. (I understand that signs of the fire were intentionally retained during the reconstruction to serve as a reminder of that event in the history of the hall).
Benny and the Fly by Niters got the night going with two excellent sets. The floor easily accommodated the rockers, swing dancers and boppers who filled it for Benny's sets and then for the two final sets provided by the Straight 8's. Victor's distinctive vocal style is the essence of the Straight's sound for me, and he was well supported for the night by Jump and Jive plus two ripper saxophonists.
Couldn't have asked for a better night out in Melbourne. Looking forward to the next shindig in November. Thanks to all who organised this one.
Review by Steve (VicRock Senior Member)
Next Rock'n'Roll Shindig will be held on Sat 26 Nov at The Whitehorse Club
with direct from the UK
Phil Haley & his Comments
and the fabulous Melbourne 10 piece Swing Band
Out for the Count One Massive Melbourne Show !
Re: Rock'n'Roll Shindig at St Kilda Town Hall - 26 Aug - What a Night !
Thanks Steve it was a wonderful night and by looking at all the photos , you could see every one with big smiles on their faces, we couldnt have asked for any better. It was such a rewarding night for us, especially having people come from all over Victoria and interstate and by reaching numbers of almost 400, really blew us away. It was fantastic to have been able to give everyone such a great experience as if they were actually at a dance in the 1940s and 50s. It helped by the surroundings of the iconic St Kilda Town Hall. It was even more special for myself to have been able to dance with my partner Nada to Benny and the Fly By Niters and Straight 8s backed by Sammy and Jumpin Jive.
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