Welcome to fabulous Lost Vegas.
Valley residents are invited to take an exciting and funny trip through the history of sin city, as Brenda’s Brats present their annual choral concert April 23 in support of musical opportunities for youth around the community.
“It’s more of a show choir rather than them just standing there and singing,” explained organizer and director Brenda Braaten, adding “it’s a very lively group.”
The show takes the audience on a tour of Las Vegas and a narrator recounts the adventures of some then unknown future stars as they worked for their big break.
“There were a lot of unknowns in Vegas, people like Marilyn Monroe and Wayne Newton hoping to make it big one day. That’s kind of how the show is built,” Braaten said.
Musical pieces that showcase the history of sin city will be plentiful, from old cowboy tunes like ‘Blood on the Saddle’ to Queen’s rock anthem ‘We Will Rock You’. Lost Vegas will also feature many pieces that evoke memories of vintage Vegas like ‘Strangers in the Night’, ‘Pretty Woman’ and cameo appearances by Elvis Presley and the Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. There will also be love songs that highlight the wedding side of Vegas.
“We have an awful lot of fun, a tremendous amount of fun,” Braaten said of the 27-member cast and choir, noting they’ve been rehearsing since Christmas for the show.
With a percentage of proceeds going to local youth’s musical education it’s a win-win for checking out Lost Vegas.
“We use some of the profits from the show to support youth music students in the Valley. So we have sponsored students by paying for their music lessons or supplies or whatever comes up,” Braaten said, adding the two-hour show will also include magic acts, comedy and dance.
“That’s always our big thing, youth and music.”
Lost Vegas takes place Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Square Mall at 900 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd. in Mill Bay. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
You can get tickets at Valley Vines to Wines in Mill Bay, by emailing Braaten at eartraining@shaw.ca, or by calling 250-743-7866.
