Sirens gig news
When I told my Nan last year that Sirens was going to the house band for Sydney Festival's recreation of the famous Trocadero Dance Palace, she was beyond chuffed, and shared with me a slew of great memories of her time dancing there in the 1940s and 50s. The 2011 show was a great success, and enjoyed all the more because of my Nan's memories swirling around in my mind.
A similar thing happened this year when I told my Nan that we'd be doing the show again, but as a huge swinging street party on Elizabeth Street as part of Sydney Festival First Night. She instantly regaled me with stories of when WWII ended and recalled hundreds of people dancing through the city streets.
For those that missed the show at the last Sydney Festival in Sydney Town Hall, you can expect to relive the decadent glamour of the 1940s and 50s with a damn strong nod to the 21st Century. This is Sirens in big band swing mode – you'll hear some old favourites and some pop songs cleverly re-worked in a similar style.
Sirens have been working hard at rehearsals with a great cast of singers including Dan Barnett, the great MD Dave Theak, last year's dancers and this year's host, Trevor Ashley.
The show kicks off at 9:00pm and like all First Night shows it's FREE! For more info visit the Sydney Festival website.
This is the first of many word offerings from me, so please visit us again for more updates on what Sirens have planned for 2012! Thank you to everyone that came to our gigs, purchased a CD and offered support in any other way over the past year – we are very grateful.
-Jess
In January, you’ll only be a lindy-hop, swing, and a cha cha away from the 1940s and 50s when Sirens Big Band rocks Sydney Festival.
Sydney’s original Trocadero was a swing-era dancehall where Sydneysiders danced the evening away in their nightclub finery. It was demolished in the 70s, but for four nights during Sydney Festival it’ll be re-imagined at Sydney Town Hall - with plenty of 21st Century edge.
The Trocadero Dance Palace features a huge dance floor, a fabulous floorshow and sizzling swing music played by the Sirens, just as it did in its halcyon days. An inexhaustible team of dancers will inspire and challenge you to burn up the floor. There’ll even be dance lessons so everyone can join in!
19 - 22 January, 2011, Sydney Town Hall
Emerging from Brisbane City’s hidden cracks and disused pathways, Sirens will be popping out at various times and locations to create a unique and unexpected experience that appears, grows and disperses.
‘Sirens Song’ is a series of unexpected musical “reveals” in a city landscape. Through an exploration of space, the big band form will be dismantled and reconstructed to highlight the unnoticed spots and hidden beauties that remain covered by city distraction and our ever-growing disconnection with our environment.
Sirens Big Band, lead by double bassist Jessica Dunn and saxophonist Harriet Harding, collaborate with The Cad Factory’s Vic McEwan to create a roaming site-specific performance that takes place in Brisbane’s city streets.
Thursday 23rd Sept - Post Office Square -280 Queen St Brisbane - 1:30pm
Friday 24th Sept - Post Office Square - 280 Queens St Brisbane - 1:30 pm
Saturday 25th Sept - Eagle St Pier - 71 Eagle St Brisbane - 1:30pm
Saturday 25th Sept - Reddacliff Place - 266 George St, Brisbane - 7:30pm
