The Sid Williams Theatre Society will present Dock Side Drive, one of the West Coast’s newest swing and show bands, Nov. 16 as part of the Blue Circle Series.
Dock Side Drive promises a swingin’ ride of show-stopping favourites that takes the audience on a musical journey through the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s including the music of Ray Charles, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Beatles, and other favourites.
The band was so well received the last time they were in town, the Sid Williams Theatre Society had to bring them back.
“Our audience loved it so much they barely let the musicians leave the stage. This is a great all-ages show and even the non-jazz lovers were tapping their toes. This show rocked!” explains Deborah Renz, general manager.
“Powerhouse vocals, riveting instrumentals, and a wonderful richness and classiness to the whole show.”
Dock Side Drive hosts a roster of seasoned and established musicians from the Victoria area, all of whom perform regularly both together and with other bands: the Stomp Club, Canus, the Midnights and String of Pearls to name a few. Many of these veteran musicians have been seen on the dixie and swing jazz festival circuit.
At its core, the band features Victoria musicians Don Leppard, Joey Smith, Anita Bonkowski (rhythm section); Dave Flello, Paul Wainwright (horns); Chris Newstead, Fran Bitonti, Angela Ireland Ford (vocals), and Heather Burns (rhythm section).
Burns is a freelance musician who grew up in the Comox Valley and still maintains many ties to the community, one of which is through the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre (CYMC) as musical director.
Burns has also done extensive work as a musician, arranger, writer and music director in the theatre with companies such as the Western Canada and Chemainus Theatre, Victoria Operatic Society, and Kaleidoscope Theatre. She holds a Masters in Piano Performance and her performing career has taken her throughout Europe, the U.S., and Canada.
Since its inception, Dock Side Drive has established a reputation as a show band that features vocalists and instrumentalists alike. They have built a repertoire of tunes, including Train Kept a Rollin’, Mac the Knife, Route 66, Blue Skies, What’ll I Do, Hit That Jive Jack, Hallelujah I Just Love Him So, Jump, Jive and Wail, and Sweet Georgia Brown.
Dock Side Drive performs at the Sid Williams Theatre this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this Blue Circle Series performance can be purchased in person at the ticket centre Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by phoning 250-338-2430 or online at sidwilliamstheatre.com.
— Sid Williams Theatre
