It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that Swing!

MEDIA RELEASE – May 19, 2010

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that Swing!

Following three highly successful nation-wide tours from its 2010 season, award-winning Operatunity is grooving back into town with “The Era of Swing”.

The concert features internationally acclaimed instrumentalists John Mackay playing the piano, Pete France smouldering the sax, and Brendon Packard tooting the trumpet.

Geoffrey Hughes, Debbie Penney, and television personality Grant Bridger will be singing alongside this talented cast of instrumentalists, challenging audiences to keep their feet still as they swing through this fantastic era of music and song.

“All our venues are dance-friendly,” says Operatunity director Geoffrey Hughes.

“Put on your dancing shoes and skip along to see us.”

Rousing the repertoire of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, the Rat Pack, and Glenn Miller, the Operatunity team will be bringing out all the best numbers including Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo choo, Moon River, and all time favourite It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing. 

Specialist jazz and swing pianist John Mackay joins Operatunity for the first time after years of experience playing with the greats in Canada and the US. He has performed in music capitals New York and Boston, alongside the likes of Cab Galloway, Leon Marion and many others.

Film and television star Grant Bridger is joining Operatunity this year with 35 years experience in theatre, TV, shows, and film. His recent performances include appearing with Tina Cross at the Nelson Winter Music Festival Gala, with the A.P.O. and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

After being crowned Top Group at the 2009 Variety Artist Club awards, Operatunity’s 2010 tours are stunning audiences from Whangarei to Invercargill.

The “Swing” season presented in June - July is part of Operatunity’s series of daytime concerts which tour the country eight times each year.

On top of this daytime tour, Operatunity will hold 8 evening gala concerts of the “3 Tenors and a Soprano” show around the country.

Back by popular demand, this encore show features the NZ three tenors Benjamin Fifita Makisi, Bonaventure Allen-Moetaua and Derek Hill with Soprano Susan Boland and pianist Alex Wiltshire in a 2-hour extravaganza of the show that received standing ovations at every single daytime concert.

Next up will be “The Last Night of the Proms”, featuring flag-waving British favourites with some new twists, presented by a talented and energetic cast of singers ensuring a fun-filled event for all.

With concerts starting at 11am, audiences are given the opportunity to interact with the artists by sharing lunch with them after the show.

Tickets, just $27 with lunch included, are available online at www.operatunity.co.nz or by calling toll free on 0508 266 237. Discounts are available for groups, but seats fill up fast so bookings are essential.

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