Big bands will generate big sound as the Valley Winds Music Association teams up with a Calgary band for its annual Oh What A Night big band dance at Silvertip, March 9.
Oh What A Night is the association’s fifth annual fundraiser, where money raised supports its own big band, along with concert band and choir. Again this year, Calgary’s Midnight Blue Jazz Band will join the proceeding, having enjoyed it so much last year they asked to return.
Musically, said Winds member and vocallist Lee Ann DeCoteau, “there will be something for everybody. We’ll have classics, music from the big band era and rhythm and blues. A real cross-section of music.” DeCoteau herself will offer vocals for about half the songs.
Tickets (250 maximum) for Oh What A Night are $30 and available from members, at Oh Canada Soapworks on Main Street in Canmore, or at the door. Tickets include finger food and there will be a cash bar.
“We really rely on these fundraisers to help the association function,” said DeCoteau. The big band which will play at Silvertip represents 24 of the association’s 85 members, while Midnight Blue will have about 20 members on hand.
“Last year,” said DeCoteau, “they had such a good time they asked to come back. That’s great for us, because they’re a sought-after group.”
Also at the event, dance instructor Hazel Anderson will conduct some lessons to compliment the evening’s entertainment.
In addition, Silvertip’s Rustica Steakhouse will offer a “Valley Winds Music table d’hote” prior to the dance. Dinner plus dance tickets are $70 per person (call the Rustica and mention you will attend the Valley Winds event and make a reservation).
The Valley Winds was started in the fall of 1994. Bob Aishford, who was then president of the Rotary Club of Canmore, went to his club with the idea of starting a band in Canmore as a legacy project. Music and bands had been a big part of Canmore’s history during the coal mining days. The Rotary Club agreed to give the band the initial seed money to launch the first season.
The concept for the community band was adapted from the Westwinds Music Association in Calgary. Aishford had been a member of this group for the two years prior to starting the Valley Winds. With the assistance of a director from Calgary, the Valley Winds Concert Band was started.
The goal during the first couple of years was simple – have fun and make music.
