Monday, June 26, 2006

Big Bad swing band comes to Cary

It's entirely possible that I'm not the world's biggest fan of swing music. That being said, I don't know anyone who flat-out doesn't like the stuff. Its infectious beats and melodies could make even the most rhythmically-challenged person want to get on the dance floor and jump, jive and wail...or maybe that's just me. Either way, the fact that the swing wave of the mid-90s has long reached its crest doesn't mean these bands are lost and gone forever.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, made famous thanks to the movie "Swingers," stopped by Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Saturday for a special performance with the N.C. Symphony.

After the symphony played its set, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy came on and ripped through a one-hour set including their hits, "Go Daddy-O" and "You & Me & the Bottle Make Three Tonight (Baby)," as well as a selection of New Orleans-inspired tunes and even "I Wanna Be Like You" from Disney's "The Jungle Book."

Across the amphitheatre's lawn, couples spun and danced to the music. The beat was enough to get assistant conductor Carolyn Kuan dancing from her post in front of the symphony.

Saturday's performance was part of the symphony's Summerfest series, which pairs the symphony with soloist and artist for themed performances. Last year's Summerfest series brought Botox beauty Kenny Rogers to the stage. Ben Vereen performed the works of Sammy Davis Jr. with the symphony this season, and a performance on July 15 will bring The Lord of the Rings soundtrack to life.

No comments: