After battling the traffic all the way from the suburbs into the city, and then encountering even more Cup Day - long weekend traffic on the Western Ring Road, I was mighty glad to have arrived safely in Albury late on Friday evening.
I had tea at the Commercial Club, a large pokies & entertainment complex in the heart of town, just as the Itchy boys were setting up for their show. You could sense some excitement in the air as I eavesdropped on the local crowd chattering about a very good Melbourne R&R band playing there the whole weekend. That’s a sure sign that Dom & his Itchy boys have acquired quite a reputation (and a large following) in Albury-Wodonga & surrounding areas.
Hey! It wasn’t just the usual Itchy Fingers set up. Snappy from Straight 8’s was there as well on his Bull Fiddle Double Bass – the pulsating, raw beat will definitely get the crowd going tonight for sure.
Unfortunately, I have to chase those damn white shuttles on the badminton courts early the next morning (and all weekend) so I could dance only till about 11pm. I just couldn’t afford to let on to my team mates that I was really more interested in R&R and dancing than “shuttlecocking” with them.
To my pleasant surprise, I was to hear even more talks at the badminton stadium about that fantastic Melbourne R&R band playing at the Commercial Club tonight, and about their plans to have their dinner dance there. Well, so much for my plans to hog the whole dance floor for myself tonight! So after chasing those shuttlecocks all day long, I was there again at the Commercial Club – ready & pump for a big night out! The club has a nice lounge style setting and could accommodate up to 700 patrons. The pokies are located at the far corner and the bar facility is not that far away. As added bonus, the Club has a couple of pool tables that were well patronised, and several large video screens showing live sports.
Itchy Fingers sounded more up tempo tonight playing everyone’s favourite R&R tunes & sprinkled with a couple of rockabilly numbers as well. Local rockers had to fight & share every inch of the dance floor with those shuttlebugs, and the dance floor was still pretty full well past mid-night when I had to be dragged away from the dance floor as I had to play again early Sunday morning. Bloody Party Poopers they were! Bet I missed Dom playing “Johhny Be Good” with the guitar behind his back when I was gone ..........LOL
Yes, my team did get thrashed all over the badminton courts but I was on a winner dancing to Itchy “Snappy” Fingers at the Commercial Club. Thanks Dom & the guys for those rockin’ tunes which made my weekend in Albury & rock & roll dancing so much fun ...............
Oh, if only I'd checked the gig guide last week!! I was sitting at Lake Hume twidling my fingers lamenting having missed out on dancing for the weekend to spend a long weekend with family, when I could have been enjoying some good music and dancing in Albury!! Next year I will have to be more organised and pack the dancing shoes and search out the Club Hotel. I agree it was the worst traffic ever getting out of Melbourne on a Friday night!!
Jocelyn
What a shame, Jocelyn! I could have done with more dance partners ...... maybe next year, eh? I 'm usually up in Albury during Melb Cup weekend so maybe we'll catch up there next year.
Drove to Corryong after Albury to attend to some work matters. Lake Hume looks like it needs more rain especially at the Tallangatta end. BTW, the big R&R poster/banner was still sitting at the entrance to Tallangatta township. Friends who went said it was a good rockin' weekend. Might go next year!
Itchy "Snappy" Fingers in Albury
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