Monday 7 December 2015

Dart Music 2016 Festival Round-Up

A big welcome back to TANKUS THE HENGE...

Tankus the Henge
Hailing from London, Tankus the Henge band members Jaz Delorean - Keys, Lead Vocals; Tim Fulker - Guitar, Vocals; Dan Mason - Bass, Vocals and  Will Stanley- Drums wowed us with their Bandstand performance in 2015

We are delighted to welcome them back again, when they will once again be entertaining us in their own inimitable fashion... 



With a whole host of different musical styles - influenced by rock, ragtime, reggae, blues, funk, disco, gypsy punk and Django - you'll find it impossible to stand still!





"The Dave Hankin Big Band - Jaw-droppingly Good..! The Finest Large-scale Jazz Unit The City Has Ever Had" - Plymouth Herald
 
With press accolades such as "without any exaggeration The Dave Hankin Big Band is by far the finest large-scale jazz unit that we have ever had in Plymouth" and "Superb instrumentation and orchestration....the blending of the reeds and brass was exceptional." not to mention "I really felt The Dave Hankin Big Band could not be bettered" - it is not surprising that The Dave Hankin Big Band is regarded as the leading big band in the South-West.
 
Dave Hankin Big Band

Glasgow born Dave Hankin started his musical journey being taught trombone at school by Maynard Ferguson's lead trumpet player John Donnelly and afterwards developing his writing skills with Maynard Ferguson's arranger Adrian Drover. Becoming a professional musician in 1983, Dave worked in Singapore and Malaysia, after which he went on to become a Musical Director working in London when he recalls being given 10 days to write music for a 2 hour show - and making it with literally 30 minutes to spare!

Dave has always been interested in the 'extended' big band ~ writing for and including non-standard instruments to his big bands, with one of his favourite line-ups being the addition of a French Horn and Tuba section to the usual trumpet, trombone, saxophone and rhythm sections. 

On an even larger scale, Dave added a string section to his Jazz Orchestra for a sell out concert in the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, raising over £20,000 for Cancer Research. Featured soloists included Carol Kidd, Pat Kane and Martin Taylor.

 
As an accomplished arranger, Dave's orchestrations have been performed by, among others, Urbie Green, Jiggs Whigham, Don Lusher and Roy Williams. His music has been broadcast on radio and television and his arrangements have been performed by the BBC Big Band.. As a trombonist he has played with stars such as Matt Munro, Jack Parnell, Kenny Baker, Peter King, Don Lusher and the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra.

For more details visit www.davehankin.com

 
ANTIMATADOR - an 8-strong synth laden, horn heavy outfit from SW:UK, fusing hiphop, funk, jazz, electronica, soul, rock and DnB. 

They deliver a nuclear explosion of high energy and positive vibes and have crafted a sound all of their own. 







Whether it's the cerebral vocals and tricksy horn licks or huge synths and earthy rhythms, they bring something for everyone to every show.

For 2015, their first official single Find Your Way is out in June followed by a host of live shows around the country and some eye-popping video exclusives.

Catch them if you can - this is a band you won't want to miss.



 Dart Music Festival - 13th 14th & 15th May 2016

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk




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Tuesday 1 December 2015

Fun, frolics and foxtrots at Dart Music Festival's 'Strictly' fundraiser


Well, it looks like we did it again!



21st November saw a throng of happy people – Dressed to Impress, of course - queuing outside the now partly-refurbished Guildhall for another evening of fundraising fun, frolics and very fine dancing.






The DMF Team were up early on Saturday morning to fuss and fettle the Old Place, so by the time the partygoers arrived at 6.45pm the Ballroom was looking very fine with a plethora of black and red balloons, streamers and pretty table decorations – not forgetting of course the famous Strictly Glitterball, kindly organised by Louis Sullivan.

I know it’s been said many times before but at the risk of repeating myself the Guildhall really does scrub up well and many people commented on what a great venue it is - just made for events such as this. Dare I mention the proscenium arch and sprung dance floor yet again…? And it’s going to look even more fabulous once all the refurbishments are finished – we can’t wait for next year!

 



Anyway, the evening got off to a rip-roaring start with music from the BRNC Volunteer Band and the Lovely Lucy just to put everyone in the mood. 








The judges this year were Gina Carter (Darcey), Phil Braakenburg (Craig), Martin Judd (Len) and Stephen Levy (Bruno) and the compere the shy and retiring Nick Crosley…

This year’s competing dancers kicked off with a Pasa Doble from Amanda and Syd, with a startling but impressive quick change into lederhosen for a German thigh-slapping extravaganza. Next came Joanna and Ernie with a very stately and stylish Cha Cha, followed by Marie and Mike with their energetic and lively Jive. Then came Ray and Helen (where DID you get that dress, Darling – it was fabulous…) who beamed throughout their nifty Foxtrot, and last but definitely not least came Ashley and Max with their brilliant Rumba, navy-style.



Winners Ash and Max - credit Rose Williams
 
The standard was as usual very high and with talent like this the audience and judges had a very tough job on their hands – it was a close-run thing but finally after much deliberation the Glitterball Trophy was awarded to the nautical Ashley and Max by Mayor Rob Lyon with congratulations to them and all the other dancers who took part – they were all fantastic.

The evening then carried on with a raffle of a side of smoked salmon and champagne donated by Mark Lobb of Wild Food Devon and Ed Capper of Dartmouth Vintners respectively, and a foot spa – how apt! – donated by Jilly Judd. This was followed by home-made chilli from the DMF Cooking Squad, real ale kindly donated by Bays Brewery and fine wines from Dartmouth Vintners. 

And then the band played on...to the delight of the audience, who enjoyed a free-dance session to fabulous music from the BRNC Volunteer band until - tired but hopefully happy – everyone wended their way home at 10.30pm.






Then it was high heels off, Marigolds and pinnies on as the DMF team cleared up – yes it was as always quite a task but one which we are glad to do – the atmosphere was just amazing and it really is worth all the hard work and planning to see so many happy faces. We’re not yet sure how much the event raised but all the signs are that it was even more successful than last year, so our sincere thanks go to all who supported us – couldn’t do it without you!



See you all again next year..?


The DMF Committee would like to thank: 
BRNC Volunteer Band and Lucy Hingston; Bays Brewery - beer; Mark Lobb – salmon; Dartmouth Vintners – champagne; Jilly Judd – foot spa; Royal Castle Hotel – loan of glasses/bowls; Louis Sullivan – sound/lighting; Gina Carter, Stephen Levy, Phil Braakenburg, Martin Judd – Judges. Brigitte – dance teacher. Thanks also to all committee members and their partners.

Dart Music Festival 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016

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