Chris Bohdanowicz, February 2, 2023, VOL. 4 ISSUE 12
In the Roaring ’20s, the Crystal Ball Room and the Erie Beach Dance Hall hosted the era’s finest dance bands. One hundred years later dancehall days return to Fort Erie on Saturday, February 4 when St. Paul’s presents an Evening of Music and Dance Under the Erie Moon, to be held at St Paul’s Center at 32 Idylewylde St.
“There’s nothing like live music and dancing,” says organizer Catherine Bohdanowicz. “My husband and I went to several big band dance nights in Pelham, featuring the Jimmy Marando Swing Band. That’s when we heard David Iannandrea sing for the first time, and we were just blown away by both the big band and the singer. The entire package was just so exciting, it wasn’t long before we began to imagine we could do the same thing, but on a smaller scale, right here in Fort Erie.”
St. Paul’s Anglican has long been a venue for community events and is well equipped with a community hall, stage, full kitchen, and parking off Idylewylde St. Since the pandemic, they have been looking for ways to welcome the larger Fort Erie community back into their space, in a community outreach event. Proceeds from this event will go to the Strong Fort Erie Community Meals Program.
“We chose Saturday, February 4 because it is just 2 days to the full moon, and close to St. Valentine’s Day. With a little bit of cooperation from the weather, our view of the moon from our perch over the Niagara River will be spectacular!” says Dan Bennett, pastor of St. Paul’s. ” Our church building dates from 1909 so you can imagine that people went to the dance halls on Saturday night and came to our church the next morning.”
The evening will feature Port Colborne native, vocalist David Iannandrea, joined by a trio of talented musicians, drummer Jim Casson, jazz pianist Doug Mundy, and bassist Steven Lucas. Iannandrea enjoys singing tunes that have stood the test of time, from Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to Bobby Darrin. “I love interacting with my audience, singing from their tables. It makes them feel like part of the show.” He is very well-known in the Niagara region for his ability to render crooner-era songs with a smooth and easy delivery that’s nothing short of gorgeous.
Drummer, Jim Casson, has appeared on over 100 albums and currently holds down the drum chair for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band. Long-time Niagara resident, Doug Mundy, is a jazz pianist who is very much in demand by ensembles, vocalists, and recording studios. Steven Lucas is a Canadian session bassist, composer, and producer, whose credits include a Juno-winning album (Bruce Cockburn 2000), a Grammy-nominated album (Asia Beauty 2016), and the soundtrack for the Academy Award-nominated film “Precious”.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have such a fine group of crazy-talented musicians headlining the evening!” says Tom Reber, organizer, and warden at St. Paul’s. “We extend a warm invitation to everyone to come to enjoy this event with us.”
Soberlicious, a new business in town sponsoring the event will be giving Fort Erie the first taste of its low-alcohol wines and mixed drinks at this event. There will be a white and red wine, a Cava, an IPA, and several mixed drinks (G&T, Mojito, and Orange Bitter) to choose from. David Hill, the owner, says, “I’m really pleased to have moved to Fort Erie, an ideal base for my non-Alcoholic Liquor Store. We are online and ship across the country, as well as having a trade side that supplies small gastro-markets, bars, and restaurants from Fort Erie to Toronto. I’m really looking forward to working with the Niagara Region communities to bring our products to the public.
Tickets for the February 4th, Evening of Music and Dance Under the Erie Moon, can be purchased by calling Chris at 905-994-9980. They are $15 each, and will also be available at the door.
