NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA BIG BAND
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Come out and join the Orillia Big Band for a dance on Saturday, Oct. 5. 2024. from 7 to 10 p.m. in the ballroom of St. James’ Anglican Church.
This will be the fourth in a series of dances hosted by the Loonie Lunch program of the church and the Orillia Big Band.
Three previous dances held in the Maple Leaf Club, as the room was referred to during the Second World War, were sold out.
St. James’ Loonie Lunch program is a social gathering, welcoming everyone to a low-cost lunch every Wednesday at 10 a.m. It serves 75 to 100 people and is assisted by generous local businesses and a host of dedicated volunteers. Funds are needed to purchase essential ingredients to make homemade soup. The Loonie Lunch is also supported by The Sharing Place Food Centre to hand out ready-made frozen meals at no cost. Lunch guests are also invited to shop at the Pennywise located in the church basement for affordable items such as clothing.
During the war, Orillia welcomed thousands of young recruits to a large training camp just outside of town. The Maple Leaf Club became a place of safety and comfort for these young men. Here, they would come to write letters home and on weekends dance with local female volunteers. Over 100 young men would attend these weekly dances, chaperoned by their senior officers. The dance on Oct. 5 honours the contributions of our veterans and celebrates the music of their time.
Originally named Orillia’s Little Big Band, the Orillia Big Band has grown to 20 players. The band is excited to present a mix of classic big band dance music such as the waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, swing and even a tango. The band will feature the well-known local singer Christina Bosco, who brings stunning vocals and flair to the stage. The band’s music director, Randy Hoover, is also a volunteer at the Loonie Lunch.
The Orillia Big Band will be presenting music from the ’30s to the present for your dancing and listening pleasure including Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and some jazz standards. Even if you don’t dance, the music will have you toe tapping and it is great fun to watch the dancers, some of whom dress in clothing of the ’40s and ’50s.
A cash bar and light refreshments will be available. There will also be three spot dances with prizes donated by local merchants.
Tickets are $30 each.
Please come out and support a worthy cause.
To buy tickets, please call Vonne at 705-327-0044 or Heidi at 705-323-4474.
Online tickets are available as well at www.zeffy.com/ticketing/452711ef-e57a-4768-afe8-525f3ff6691f. (Note your charge for these tickets will show on your statement as being from Zeffy.)
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