ValDance Ballroom, Latin and Swing Studio is transforming the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay into a Roaring ’20s speakeasy for its 14th annual Spring Gala on May 21.
This event is all about creating an atmosphere of fun, and no era exemplifies fun and freedom like the flapper era.
Everything about this evening will be 1920s-inspired except for the dance music. Victoria’s renowned Chris Millington and his band Dancin,’ with two amazing vocalists, will blow you away.
They have wowed sold-out crowds over the years at previous galas and all four Dancing with our Community Stars events. It is rare to find a band that can play every dance style in ballroom, Latin and swing and do it so brilliantly.
Listen to them at www.seamill.com/dancin. Millington and his jazz trio are an institution at Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel and his big band performs at Butchart Gardens every summer.
You do not have to be a dancer to appreciate this exceptional band or to attend this event. You can sit and listen, though it might be hard to stay in your seat. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Try some giggle water at the bathtub gin joint and start flapping! Bring your camera and take a photo sitting in one of the vintage Model As parked just outside.
Enjoy a terrific floorshow by the performance classes early in the evening. The rest of the time is for general dancing and listening to the great music of the Chris Millington Band.
Put on your glad rags and have a rip-roaring time at the Native Sons Speakeasy. Be prepared for anything to happen. 1920s attire and secret password are required to gain entrance.
Think of gangsters in pinstriped suits and fedoras or black shirts and white ties, flappers with bobs and fingerwave hairstyles wearing fringe, boas and long strands of pearls, or dapper gentlemen like Fred Astaire in tuxes and tails, Ginger Rogers in a glamorous starlet gown.
Have fun accessorizing your existing party clothes and enjoy being part of the exhilarating ambience of this great evening. It will be the cat’s meow.
Tickets are $40 each and are available at Silhouette Theatre and Dance Shop on England Avenue, or contact Val at 250-338-9279 or valdance@shaw.ca. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
— ValDance Studio