Image supplied.
The Stardust Big Band has announced a reunion event in Port Elgin on Saturday, July 8. In a recent submission to local media, the one time performance will see more than 30 former members take the stage including vocalists Lauri Ladd, Stevie Vallance and Rebecca Binnendyk. The band will perform two sets of dance music.
For 25 years, from 1987 to 2011, the band kept alive the ‘Golden Years’ of music, namely the Big Band years, and for 16 of those 25 years, from 1995 to 2010, performed as the host band for the Canadian Big Band Celebration in Saugeen Shores.
Looking back, many of the band members feel privileged to have performed not only in a Big Band but the Stardust Big Band. The band was hired by promoters and celebrities for gigs in a variety of significant venues including The Royal York Hotel, The Palais Royal and Mel Lastman Square. The band was delighted to receive the top music performance awards at the former Georgian Sound Big Band Festival in Thornbury and played their final gig at the same event in 2011 to a very appreciative audience.
The band also produced two CDs, 'Presenting Stardust' and 'Return Engagement.'
"Thank you to Lakeshore Recreation for hosting the event and to our sponsor Holiday Inn Express," read the release.
Admission is free. To reserve a table please email stardustbigband23@gmail.com or call Lakeshore Recreation at 519-832-9027.
A donation box for the Southampton Hospital Foundation will be available for those wishing to donate.
The July 8 event is set to run from 8 to 10pm, at 1177 Goderich Street in Port Elgin. Doors open at 7:30pm.
