MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

And All That Jazz at the Opera House

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The Port Elizabeth Opera House will be cooking with the brassy sounds of the Alexander Road High Big Band, under the direction of Debbie Everard. The band will perform selections from music legends such as Cole Porter, Miles Davis, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Norah Jones, Diana Krall and many more at the end of July. The concert was previously scheduled to take place at the Vodacom Amphitheatre, The Boardwalk, but due to the exceptional response from the public, the organisers decided to move the event to the Opera House based on a larger venue capacity.

The evening of entertainment features some ‘old’ and ‘new’ faces on the musical scene in the Bay. The Port Elizabeth Theatrical Initiative, co-founded by local theatre personalities Robin Williams and Greg Everard, has assembled a top drawer cast of singers and dancers to delight all ages.

Guest performer and top South African showman, Ian von Memerty will sing with the band sharing the stage with his talented family in music and dance items from their latest touring shows.

Alexander Road High School has long been known for the quality of its music ensembles and especially the Big Band programme. The 19-strong big band is set to take you on a musical journey, weaving the lilting sounds of Big Band, Latin rhythms together with instrumental jazz and good old fashioned Sinatra/Buble standards like I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Sway, Route 66, Feelin’ Good. There is also a big band style tribute to the King, Elvis and a funky salute to the 70’s jazz band era.

The programme will focus mainly on the era of big band music but will also show off the cast’s theatrical backgrounds with numbers from The Wizard of Oz, Victor/Victoria and Hairspray. Local theatre personalities include Chireen Ferreira (Cats, international touring company), Faye Gatley (Ado Annie, G&S production of Oklahoma), Vanessa Grebe, David Jordaan, Renate Clench, JD Mulder, Reyn ffoulkes and Greg Everard. The Annie orphans from Pemads highly acclaimed production will also make an appearance led by Kasvia von Memerty and Carys Everard. Ellen Bunting Studio dancers will add to the atmosphere on stage as you enjoy an “all together experience” as only the Alex band can provide.

The music begins at 7:30pm on both the 22 and 23 July at the PE Opera House. Reduced price vouchers are available from the cast or tickets can be booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.