What: Baby Boomer Blues
Where: My Place
When: Friday, March 7 & Saturday, March 8
It all seems like there’s a little history repeating itself at the moment. Without naming names, or presidents, it seems that everything old is new again. Even the music charts are seeing rehashed Elvis songs at number one.
The cast and crew of the concert revue Baby Boomer Blues are seeing the musical recycle closer than most of us, thanks to their tribute to the sounds of the ’60s, currently touring the province.
BBB’s creator and director, Voni Grindler, said the show has been a virtual sell-out wherever they go.
"It’s just so popular, mainly because I think the show is very charismatic, simple and performed from the heart, but also because audiences know all the words and can relive those songs they grew up with."
Grindler came up with the idea for the tribute show when she worked in a dinner theatre in central B.C.
"I had the title first actually, and then the venue but the only part missing was the performers. I called some friends who I knew from the entertainment world and within five minutes of talking to each of them they’d said yes."
BBB brings together an impressive group of musicians and theatre performers including two-time Juno award winner Shari Ulrich, who toured with the Pied Pumpkin String Ensemble and has six solo albums under her belt.
"What’s interesting about Shari," said Grindler, "is that she’s originally from the U.S. but when the Kent State massacre happened she was on the next plane to Canada and has never gone back."
Vocalist and bass player extraordinaire, Linda Kidder and world-wide singer and songwriter, Andy Thoma, joins TV, film and stage choreographer Viktoria Langton to round out the talented group.
Since forming in late 2001, BBB have gone on to sell out more than 10 shows in Salmon Arm, played for ex-Mayor of New York, Rudolf Giuliani at a Red Cross benefit in Vancouver, and were invited to be part of the Richmond Tall Ships Festival. After their inaugural Whistler dates, they’ll head to the Waterfront Theatre in Vancouver for another three week stint.
Grindler, a 15-year veteran in professional theatre, said the BBB was her most exciting project to date.
"We’re really reaching people of all ages. You get moms and dads and then the kids too as they’ve grown up listening to their parents records," she said. "The response has been overwhelming. I stand up at the back at the shows and seeing the reaction from the crowd who are singing, dancing, clapping, it’s very rewarding."
Expect a stack of your old faves at BBB including It's Now or Never, Hit the Road Jack, a Beatles Medley, a Dionne Warwick Medley, a Mamas & Papas medley plus many more to get you toe-tapping and singing along. Tickets are $29 for adults or $24 for students and seniors. Ph: 604-935-8418.
