August Newsletter – Greg Poppleton Bakelite Broadcasters
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1940s Dance, Albert Hall, Canberra Centenary
Here are some pictures for you of the Canberra Centenary 1940s Dance which I had the great pleasure of emceeing in the Albert Hall, Canberra, Saturday 25 May 2013.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. It was planned and designed by Walter Burley Griffin. Canberra was officially named in 1913, hence the centenary this year.
Firstly, I was very honoured to meet and introduce the Canberra 100 Creative Director, the much celebrated and super talented Robyn Archer
The dance was held in Canberra’s oldest venue, the Albert Hall, built in 1927…
The Albert Hall features a Compton Theatre Pipe Organ, lovingly restored by the Theatre Organ Society Of Australia. Stuart Warner opened the night with a program of 1940s tunes…
The music was swing vs rockabilly with three bands and dance demonstrations by the Canberra and Sydney SwingKatz
To MC the night, I wrote a hip script modeled on the 1940s AFRS ‘Jubilee’ radio shows.
This, with 40s suit and intonation (without resorting to an out-of-context American accent) created a genuine 1940s feel to the evening, which was my brief.
The original Jubilee shows each featured a big band, small group, and a comedian. This variety template fit hand-in-glove with the night’s swinging 40s theme and jam-packed three band plus four floorshows format…
The Spectrum Big Band pianist dressed up as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz
Luke Wensing, one of the night’s organisers wrote…
“I first learned about Greg at the second in a series of 12 social dance events to celebrate the Centenary of Canberra. It was a Roaring 20s night and he was the singer and commentator for the Lounge Bar Lotharios.
The night was remarkably successful and it was a sellout 5 days (250 tickets) before the event. This was before the patrons had even seen or heard of the “Lotharios”. Many in the crowd commented to me specifically about how much they enjoyed the Lotharios and Greg’s contribution.
When planning the upcoming 1940s night. (Bobby Soxers V Rockabilly Big Band Bash, May 25, 2013) the organisers. Canberra City Band, were thinking about an MC. I did not hesitate to suggest Greg. as l had read his CV and personally saw him in action. The President was very pleased with Greg because it soon become clear that the band leaders and dance demonstrators would be working with someone who really knows about music and dance and entertainment and who would enhance the presentation.
On the night it soon became evident that Greg had done his homework. He arrived early to familiarise himself with the venue. He knew all the personnel involved by name. He had created humorous and informative patter about the music and dances without becoming boring or loud. His presentation was classically in the period. People stopped to listen when he took the microphone. His careful presentation lay in drafts of script where those involved could correct or contribute. Nothing was missed out!
I am sure that my suggestion to Canberra City Band to engage Greg has been one of my better decisions in planning this year-long high profile Centenary of Canberra commissioned dance programme. l look forward to working with Greg again in the not too distant future.”
Luke Wensing
SoCanbance Consortium
Presenting the Kick Up Your Heels Dance Programme
For Centenary of Canberra
To MC your event, I am represented by Anthony Kidd at Benchmark Management
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, 1920s trio, helped raise funds for cancer research and patient support at Castle Mall, Castle Hill NSW for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Held every year at Castle Mall, centre management hailed this year’s event as the best and most successful ever. With Greg Poppleton in the Bakelite Trio for this event were Chuck Morgan, banjo and uke, and Richard Booth, bass and soprano sax. James and Shivaun from the Sydney SwingKatz dance team swing danced to the band
To have Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at your event, please visit the band’s official website www.bakelitejazz.com
Greg Poppleton, 1920s Crooner, with 10 Year Old Drummer in the Victoria Room
Here are a couple of pictures of a special Greg Poppleton line-up put together for last night’s Sunday Carnival in the Victoria Room, Darlinghurst.
On piano was Monique Lysiak from the Siren’s Big Band. On the drums, Damon Poppleton, who is now ten. And that’s me, Greg Poppleton, singing in my fancy new duds and spurning the use of the microphone. (I’ve a big voice, anyway.) Photos are by Jimmy Vargas and, since I didn’t ask whether he wanted his name in this blog, the photo with Damon was kindly snapped by a long-time Phantom Dancer listener.
And look, you can see in a sign on top of the piano in the background. I says, ‘CDs $20’. Well, on Bandcamp, the latest Greg Poppleton CD is $12, $7 digital download, $1 a track. Snap up a bargain.
It’s amazing the people you meet in the Victoria Room, including an early rock-n-roller (and his wonderful partner) who had drummed for Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Annette Funicello amongst others and is now part of the jazz scene in Sydney.
We hope to be back in the Victoria Room in the Spring.
Some good news today is that the 1920s Greg Poppleton (Trio), with Geoff Power on sousaphone and trumpet, is booked into the new Django Bar in the Camelot Lounge on Thursday evening, 23rd May.
We hope to see you in the Django Bar, opposite Sydenham Station, on Thursday 23 May!
1920s Hot Jazz Quartet At The Fairfield Museum Fair
Here are some happy snaps for you of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at the 2013 Fairfield Museum fair, celebrating 30 years of the Fairfield Museum, Horsley Drive, Smithfield, with songs from the 1920s and 1930s
There’s also some pics of the band posing in a restored 1929 Essex 6 taken by the Hudson Car Club. I’ll post them as soon as I get them emailed to me
Swing dancers on the day at Fairfield: SwingKatz. Also on stage was a Spanish choir and Uruguayan drummers
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters are a trio to sextet with Sydney’s only authentic 1920s-30s singer specialising in swing and jazz from the 1920s and 1930s. Please visit the band website: www.bakelitejazz.com. We play for all occasions
Actor - Singer - Voiceover 