The Vernon Community Band will celebrate the Vernon Recreation Complex’s 50th anniversary and raise funds for itself with a special community event.
The band will host a community concert and dance Saturday at the rec complex.
The concert runs from 7 to 8 p.m. featuring the 35-member band. The dance will run from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
“This is a family-oriented evening with no alcohol, a silent auction, dancing and fun for everyone in the community,” said band member Bjorn Edblad, a clarinetist/saxophonist.
Admission is by donation ($10 suggested/$15 for a family with all proceeds going to the band).
The band will begin the evening with easy listening music, energizing gypsy, Dixie,well known rock tunes and music from such classics as Jurassic Park and Star Wars.
The crowd can then check out the silent auction while The Lounge Lizards lull you with their sultry duets, and finishing the evening will be Easy Street, who will get the dance numbers rolling.
Dress in your favourite decade of the 60s, 70s and 80s and you could wiin a prize.
The Vernon Community Band has been a fixture for more than 20 years, providing numerous annual concerts for free under the energizing conducting of Toni Rose.
Events the band have played at include Remembrance Day ceremonies, the city’s Walk/Bike to Work Week ceremonies, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary fundraisers, schools concerts and concerts in the park.
“All band members are volunteers with enough expertise to have received top honours in the band adjudication festivals of both 2015 and 2016,” said Edblad.
A concession will be available to help the band raise funds, along with the silent auction, to pay for things like increasing rental and other costs for rehearsals and performances.
“This group is made up of young people, pensioners people on fixed income as well as working taxpayers of the community,” said Edblad, a Vernon realtor.
“Members perform at their own costs of time and instruments and with commitment and pride of their talents.”